A bill seeking to define the terms “woman” and “gender” for the first time in Cyprus has triggered widespread opposition from rights organisations warning that trans women could lose legal protections.
The proposal, tabled by DIKO MP Chrysis Pantelidis and DISY MP Charis Georgiades, would amend the Prevention and Combating of Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence Law to align with EU Directive 2024/1385 and the Istanbul Convention, which Cyprus has ratified.
Pantelidis said the bill aims to provide a clear definition of “woman” for the first time, noting that the current situation could be exploited. He said the proposal was prompted by a recent English court ruling that clearly defined the term.
The MP rejected accusations that the bill seeks to limit gender identity rights. “No one wants to limit it, but we cannot include other characteristics under the definition of woman. It is contradictory to explain that there are many genders,” he said.
He also dismissed claims that the bill removes protections for trans women, saying they are already protected by the state and can continue to be protected outside this definition.
Pantelidis expressed disappointment at facing attacks and labels over the initiative, calling it contradictory that people who want to eliminate stereotypes respond with stereotypical characterisations.
Georgiades said parliament should make a political decision on the matter after hearing all views. “We need to clarify some things that until now were self-evident. I believe that only women should have access to women’s changing rooms, and only girls should have access to girls’ school toilets,” he said, adding that such regulations do not violate anyone’s rights.
Justice Ministry spokesperson Aristos Tsiartas stressed that the law harmonises the Istanbul Convention and addresses the real problem of gender-based violence. He noted that Cyprus is currently being evaluated by two committees on these issues and requested time for consultation.
A Law Office representative said neither the Istanbul Convention nor the directive defines what a woman is, and that the directive is clear about not discriminating.
A representative from the Commissioner for Administration’s office, citing data, said trans women are disproportionately victims of violence and that the term “woman” should remain open to interpretation. Excluding trans women would violate the regulations, she said.
The Accept organisation expressed disagreement with the bill. A spokesperson said sex, gender and gender identity are distinct concepts, adding that the European Court of Human Rights has said the list remains open. Domestic violence affects both women and trans women, the spokesperson said.
Several organisations opposed the bill, including POGO, the Women’s Movement of Ecologists, the Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies, and the Cyprus Family Planning Association, all citing risks to protections for trans women.
MPs were also divided. ELAM’s Sotiris Ioannou questioned whether there are more than two sexes and where the term “social gender” comes from.
MP Alexandra Attalidou strongly opposed the proposal, questioning whether it serves dialogue on protecting vulnerable people and requesting data on attacks against trans women. Charalambos Theopemptou also opposed the bill.
Following the strong disagreements, the Law Office was asked to prepare an opinion on the matter whilst the Justice Ministry will study all views.
