Press Releases

I am delighted to be joining you this evening for the opening of the 38^th World Conference, hosting the most important event of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, at the magnificent amphitheater of the ancient city of Kourion. This ancient monument is a symbol of the significant achievements of humanity over thousands of years. Today, I also see before me a symbol for the future. Girl Guides and Girls Scouts assembled from 118 different countries here in Cyprus.

As we gaze the ancient and the modern, the past and the future, through this assembly of women we also take a glimpse on the role of women throughout the ages. Women have been the backbone of our societies, both ancient and modern. As we strive to work to ensure that women rights are upheld and safeguarded, where they have equal rights and opportunities, organizations such as the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and institutions such as Girl Guiding are important and valuable in creating an empowering community for girls.

In fact, the government has incorporated in its program concrete actions on promoting gender equality and is working intensively towards this goal. As a father of four girls, this is an issue that is very close to my heart. A number of measures are already being implemented, namely the expansion of facilities to help streamline family and employment responsibilities and the creation of a legal framework that effectively addresses gender discrimination and improve the position of women in economic and social life.

While women are supported and protected through legislation –which for example abolishes discrimination in social insurance, salaries or pensions, protects women during pregnancy and maternity and ensures a safe environment for them by protecting them against sexual harassment– we are very well aware that there is so much more to achieve. An important steppingstone in this effort is the National Action Plan for Gender Equality under preparation through a collaborative effort with the Gender Equality Commissioner, who is here with us tonight, and competent Ministries, where gender equality liaison officers have been identified so as to be able to promote gender equality horizontally and across all policy areas.

Representation of women matters, women being at the table and being decision makers matters. We have a lot more barriers to break in empowering women and girls to reach their full potential, to thrive in all fields of education, in the labour market, in research, in the arts, in academia.

Your role and your voice in this empowerment are very important. The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is an organisation run by women and is dedicated to educating and empowering women and young girls. Your voice –the voice of nine million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from 152 countries– is loud and clear, as reflected in your motto of the 38^th World Conference: “Dream, Act, Lead: the future is ours”.

We hear you very well.

The work of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts contributes to a better future for all of us. Your efforts in developing leadership in girls and in empowering them, is part of the building blocks we need for better societies.

The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts has a strong partner in the Cyprus Girl Guides’ Association and can be proud of its work in Cyprus. The Cyprus Girl Guides’ Association has earned the respect of the Cypriot society through its long history of volunteering and social work and the nurturing of girls.

I am certain that during this conference all of our guests will have the chance to witness for themselves the creativity, dedication and professionalism of the Cypriot Girl Guides’, together of course with the hospitality Cyprus is known for.

I would like once again to thank the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts for giving us the opportunity to host the 38^th World Conference in Cyprus. Congratulations to the Cyprus Girl Guides’ Association for successfully organizing this major event in our country.

I very much hope that all delegates have a memorable stay in Cyprus and an engaging conference where you can Dream about the future and plan on how to Act so that these dreams materialise. We promise you that we will be Acting with you and following your Lead to make your Dreams come true.

Dream. Act. Lead. The future is yours indeed. 

(RM/NG)