Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades and the commissioner for gender equality Josie Christodoulou welcomed on Wednesday the installation of new female silhouettes on pedestrian traffic lights in Nicosia.

The inspection took place at noon on Mikis Theodorakis avenue, in front of the municipal theatre and the Cyprus museum. The initiative introduces female silhouettes alongside or in place of the traditional male figures on pedestrian crossings.

The initiative follows the government’s earlier announcement of a gender-equality programme for public spaces. According to the transport ministry, the plan aims to reflect gender balance on street signs and traffic signals as part of the National Strategy for Gender Equality 2022-2026. The project includes the installation of female and children’s figures at crossings to promote inclusive public representation.

Both the transport ministry and the office of the commissioner for gender equality are jointly overseeing the implementation. Wednesday’s visit was held to observe how the new lights operate in practice. The programme is expected to extend to other areas of Cyprus in stages.

Minister Vafeades explained that the project combines safety with social awareness, saying that Cyprus joins several European countries that have already adopted gender-inclusive pedestrian signals, such as Germany, Spain and Austria.

The action, he said, was symbolic and aimed at reminding the public that “women participate actively and equally in city life”.

During the inspection, Vafeades said this was “a small change with big messages […] for all ages”.

Commissioner Josie Christodoulou said the figures at pedestrian crossings signalled the implementation of yet another action within the national strategy for gender equality.

“It is a symbolic action that breaks stereotypes and sends the message that women belong in public places,” she said.

Christodoulou added that such actions “contribute to changing perceptions, particularly among young people, and promote the issues of equality and participation”.

By the end of November, the public works department will have placed female figures at six pedestrian crossings in Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos and Famagusta.

The commissioner told the Cyprus News Agency that the selection was indicative and that not all figures at crossings would be replaced, as it would cost too much.

She added that the intention was for some of the new crossing lights to be installed in the future to have female figures.

The aim is not to remove all male figures, she pointed out.