Cyprus Machinery for Women's Rights

The National Machinery for Women's' Rights, which was set up in February 1994 by a decision of the Council of Ministers, is a system of four bodies which comes under the Ministry of Justice and Public Order. It consists of representatives of the major women's' organizations, trade unions and government departments. It deals with all matters concerning women, focusing on the elimination of legal discrimination against women and the promotion of real equality between women and men. It advises the Council of Ministers on policies, programmes and laws promoting women's' rights and it monitors, coordinates and evaluates the implementation and effectiveness of these programmes and laws. It supports and subsidizes women's' organizations and serves as a cooperation channel between the government and NGO's working in this field. Following a relevant decision of the Council of Ministers in July 2004, two Turkish Cypriot women's organizations will participate in the National Machinery for Women's Rights.