Female figures have appeared at a pedestrian traffic light in the center of Nicosia. Now pedestrians crossing the roadway see a female rather than a male silhouette at a traffic light.
The presentation took place on October 29 on Mikis Theodorakis Avenue in front of the Nicosia Municipal Theater and the Cyprus Museum. The event was attended by Transport Minister Alexis Vafiadis and Gender Equality Commissioner Josie Christodoulou.
In the first phase of the initiative, six traffic lights with female silhouettes will appear throughout Cyprus, in every region of the country. “We will strive for a balance between male and female figures at traffic lights throughout the country,” the head of the Ministry of Transport promised.
Similar initiatives have already been implemented in countries such as Switzerland, Germany and Spain. They emphasize that changes in the culture and consciousness of society can begin with small things - for example, with silhouettes on traffic lights.
This undertaking has symbolic and practical significance at the same time. Symbolically, female figures on traffic lights show that gender equality is part of everyday city life, and not an abstract concept. They break the usual stereotypes, reminding society that women are just as visible and significant in public space as men.
In practice, this helps to develop an understanding of equality among the younger generation from an early age. In addition, the project fits into international practice, which shows that Cyprus is moving in step with European countries in promoting gender equality. This reinforces the island's image as a modern and open society.
The text was prepared based on materials from Politis.
