Republic of Cyprus Second Voluntary National Report - Sustainable development goals

60 – IJCC – Improving Justice in Child Contact is a research project (November 2018 - November 2020) between five European countries: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Scotland, Portugal, and Romania aimed at improving how children’s rights are upheld in child contact systems where the children have experienced domestic abuse. The project piloted the Power Up/Power Down model which resulted in children making recommendations to directly inform national policy and practice in Cyprus to improve the court system in relation to child contact and domestic violence. • “Hope for Children” UNCRC Policy Center (HFC) develops measures that combat any form of violence against children. • Under the anti-trafficking Law a National Coordinator and a Multidisciplinary Coordinating Group were established. Children’s Rights & Active Citizenship • The Office of the Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights of the Child monitors the respect and protection of the rights of the child in Cyprus. It promotes the active participation of children in decision-making processes via: (a) the Children’s Parliament; (b) the Pancyprian Student Coordinating Committee; and (c) the Young Advisory Team of the Commissioner. • The Office of the Commissioner for Volunteerism and NGOs encourages Active Citizenship in children and young people as a tool for crime and addiction prevention. It coordinates the Public Consultation of the Children’s Parliament and the promotion of Volunteerism in schools (Handbook for primary and secondary school teachers “Cultivation of Volunteerism and Active Citizenship in Schools”). EU and/or State Funded Initiatives • NGOs play a pivotal role in preventing and combating violence against all women and girls. • The Association for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in the Family (SPAVO) operates three (3) shelters for victims of violence in the family. • The Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies (MIGS) is implementing key research projects: – The Coalesce project (December 2020 – November 2022) aimed at enhancing best knowledge exchange on the integration of trafficked victims and providing legal, psycho-social, and economic empowerment for the integration of women third country nationals victims of human trafficking for sexual exploitation and abuse. – BEE - Boosting gender Equality in Education project (December 2020 – November 2022) focuses on seizing the opportunities provided through primary education to improve the educational context in relation to gender equality issues.