DiCarlo Meets with Representatives of the Bi-Communal Cyprus Women’s Coalition

During the meeting at Ledra Palace Hotel, DiCarlo emphasized the necessity of women’s involvement in any new peace process, noting that past peace negotiations with active female participation have shown a higher likelihood of success.

Referring to the action plan agreed upon by President Ersin Tatar and former Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiadis, DiCarlo underlined the need for its implementation to ensure a more active role for women in peace efforts.

In her opening speech titled "Women's Participation in Peace Negotiations," DiCarlo highlighted that peacebuilding, mediation, and conflict prevention processes with meaningful female involvement are significantly more likely to yield lasting agreements.

DiCarlo reaffirmed that ensuring women's effective participation in all UN-led peace and conflict prevention initiatives, including in Cyprus, remains a priority. However, she noted that in many cases, women have not been granted equal and effective participation in peace processes, criticizing key stakeholders for being either too slow or reluctant to take action.

She also referenced UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ October 2023 launch of the “Joint Commitment for the Full, Equal, and Meaningful Participation of Women in Peace Processes” and pointed out that Cyprus has not remained indifferent to such initiatives. While men have historically led negotiations, women have played critical roles in recent discussions as advisors, coordinators, and co-chairs, she added.

“If women continue to be included—and even more so—in the next round of negotiations, the Cyprus peace process will become one of the most gender-inclusive UN-led peace efforts,” DiCarlo stated.

Implementation of the Action Plan Is Essential

DiCarlo emphasized the significance of the Action Plan agreed upon in 2022 by the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders to promote women’s full and effective participation in reconciliation efforts.

She stressed that the plan, prepared by the Technical Committee on Gender Equality at the leaders’ directive, now needs to be put into action to ensure tangible progress.

The UN, she said, will continue to encourage both leaders to guarantee that men and women work together equally in any future peace process. DiCarlo also acknowledged that Cyprus is experiencing its longest period without formal negotiations and urged leaders to seek a mutually acceptable way forward.

“Your leaders do not just need your support; they need your ideas and your ability to speak the truth,” she told the attendees.

Concluding her speech, DiCarlo highlighted the key opportunities at hand for amplifying women's voices and ensuring their active engagement in any potential new negotiation process. She expressed her interest in hearing participants' views on how to achieve this.

The meeting was also attended by UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Cyprus, Colin Stewart.

The Bi-Communal Cyprus Women’s Coalition (CWBC) advocates for a UN-backed resolution to the Cyprus issue, ensuring that women participate in every stage of negotiations while fostering a culture of peace and reconciliation across both communities.