Cabinet approves construction of monument for 1974 sexual violence victims

The Cypriot Council of Ministers has officially approved the construction of a memorial dedicated to women who were victims of sexual violence during the 1974 Turkish invasion. The project was initiated by the 'Life Against Wartime Violence' foundation alongside other organizations and received support from the current government and the President of the Republic. The monument will be situated in Nicosia, specifically in the Saint Antonios gardens near the Olympiakos stadium, with the support of Mayor Charalambos Prountzos. Reports suggest that over 1,000 women were victims of sexual violence during the conflict, which some sources characterize as a tool for ethnic cleansing. Commissioner for Gender Equality Josie Christodoulou stated that the memorial aims to bring these events into the public memory, as many victims previously chose silence due to social stigma. The initiative follows recent reports and calls from advocacy groups to address the long-standing trauma of the 1974 events. Planning for the monument's implementation is now underway.