Gender-based violence should be thoroughly looked into through investigation and control mechanisms, as the mere condemnation of cases was not enough, MPs said on Monday at the House human rights committee, discussing violence, harassment and unfair treatment of women in sports.

The committee received a series of complaints and deputy chairman of the committee MP Giorgos Koukoumas said the House would be sending a letter to the Cyprus Sports Association (KOA) to request specific figures regarding benefits given to men and women.

The issue was discussed ex officio at the recommendation of MPs Giorgos Koukoumas, Rita Theodorou Superman, Christos Senekis and Alexandra Attalides.

Koukoumas said since 2023 there is a law in place obliging KOA to guarantee equality between men and women in sports.

He added that announcements condemning cases were not enough and that investigation and control mechanisms should be in place.

Superman said efforts should focus on the promotion of healthy sport, starting from children.

Over the past few years, she said, a lot had been done to eradicate discrimination, however there were still stereotypes to be dismantled.

Attalides said gender-based violence and sexual abuse in sports were an “unpleasant reality that we cannot ignore”.

On behalf of the education ministry, Theoti Pourou said education offered equal opportunities to boys and girls, including in football.

She added that the education ministry was funding KOA but did not have a mechanism in place to exercise control over activities outside the schools.

“Anonymous complains are arriving but we cannot investigate them,” she said.

Executive chairman of the Cyprus Footballers’ Association Spyros Neofytides said four of the female footballers who reported abuse were excluded from the national women’s team.

He added that a code of conduct had been submitted in early 2024, however KOA didn’t act upon it.

Referring to discrimination, he said footballers in the men’s national team were paid €800 for one match and €1,200 for two, while women were paid €120 for one game and the amount was set to rise to €240.

On behalf of the Law Office, Eleni Kouzoupi said the legislation existed but the problem was making sure it was being implemented.

Kouzoupi, who was also a representative of the Gender Equality Commission, said it was possible to intervene ex officio in the case of gender discrimination.

Ioanna Paraskevopoulou from KOA said a proper sports policy was needed and that the code of conduct should be binding.

She added that KOA was in the process of drafting an action plan based on the findings of an EU study on gender equality in sports.

On behalf of KOA, Stephanie Wheeler said immense efforts were being made to address sexual abuse in sports.

She added that an action plan had been sent to the education ministry ten months ago and that it was up to the ministry to take it to the cabinet.

Representing the ombudswoman, Maria Demetriou said KOA’s code of conduct was not sufficient and that there should be a special guide on how to address sexual abuse.