Cyprus advanced another action under its national strategy for gender equality this week, as the office of the Commissioner for Gender Equality hosted a two-day workshop for journalists on December 6 and 7 in Troodos.

Journalists from television, print and online outlets attended, reinforcing the strategy’s goal of encouraging more balanced and accurate representation of women and men in public discourse.

Opening the workshop, Gender Equality Commissioner Josie Christodoulou said the media have the power to shape social attitudes and perceptions, and therefore their role in promoting substantive equality is crucial.

Information, she noted, can and should act as a lever for change, helping society move beyond entrenched stereotypes and long-standing prejudices.

Across the two days, the discussion focused on how everyday editorial choices, from the language used and the images selected to sourcing practices and framing, can either reinforce or challenge inequality.

Participants examined unconscious bias, content-production habits and the visibility of women and men in news coverage.

Examples from Cypriot and international media highlighted how deeply assumptions can be embedded, while also showing how a more gender-sensitive approach can reshape narratives.

Training was led by gender expert Maria Angeli, who presented practical methods for identifying and deconstructing stereotypes, along with tools that support more balanced reporting.

Her guidance underscored how small adjustments in journalistic practice can collectively influence wider public understanding.

Following the workshop, Christodoulou shared a message on her social platforms, referring to the two-day programme as “journalism as a lever for change” and emphasising “the use of image and language to promote equality between women and men”.

She said that “another action of the national strategy for gender equality has been implemented”, while extending her “warm thanks to the workshop trainer, Angeli, gender-equality expert”, for her contribution.

The workshop ultimately reaffirmed that newsroom decisions matter, and that, through conscious and consistent practice, journalists can help shift societal narratives towards fairness and genuine equality.