Although 74.1 per cent of the working female population of North Cyprus are aged between 15-64, it has been calculated that the employment rate for males is 49 per cent and the employment rate for females is 30.4 per cent. While 67 per cent of men have higher working positions, this rate is 33 per cent for women.
Although the number of female deputies in Parliament has reached 11, its highest representation in 2023, this is far from the desired equal representation and is also well below the world average.
Municipality council members only consist of 25 per cent females.
While the crime rate of women in the country is lower than that of men, the violence problem against women is one of the important problems in North Cyprus as well as all over the world.
952 crimes against women have been recorded for 2022, with assault being top of the list of violence to that women were most exposed.
The Statistical Institute shared information to the public on women’s statistics in North Cyprus in line with March 8, International Women’s Day. Vice Head of the Statistical Institute Sevda Özsaygın issued a written statement.
-Women live longer than men
Over the years, a decrease in the duration of life expectancy in the country has been observed following studies. Although there is a decline in both genders women are living longer than men. During the 2021 studies, the life expectancy rate for men was calculated at 79 and for women at 83.
The average age of marriage for women in North Cyprus is rising
According to 2017-2021, data, on average women are getting married at a later age. Following analysis of the increase in terms of socio-economic variables, the increase in the education level of women compared to previous years and the increase in the participation of the labour force has reached a remarkable point.
Changing perspectives for various reasons can be influential in the increase in the age of marriage.
-Marriage and Divorce
While there were 951 marriages in 2020, this number increased to 1,234 in 2021. The Crude Marriage Rate (CMR), which represents the number of marriages per thousand, was 3.2 per thousand in 2021. While the number of divorced couples was 841 in 2020, this number increased to 895 in 2021.
-Higher working positions, 67 per cent men 33 per cent women
The ratio of 67 per cent of men being in higher employment positions than women with 33 per cent reveals that women are facing difficulties in rising to managerial positions.
-The number of female deputies in North Cyprus parliament reached its highest representation in 2023
In 2023, the number of female deputies in Parliament reached its highest with 11 female deputies. Although an increase has been observed in women’s participation in politics compared to previous periods, this rate is far from the desired representation and remains well below the world average.
-Only 25% of the municipal council members are women.
The number of women in municipal council member positions determines that women are not a determining factor in politics in the country. In 2023, only 25.5 per cent of the current municipal council members are women.
-8.1 per cent of the prisoners and detainees sent to prison in 2021 are women.
Considering the relationship between gender and crime, it is seen that the crime rate of women in the TRNC is lower than that of men, as in all societies. Only 8.1 per cent of prisoners and detainees sent to prison in 2021 are women.
-Violence against women
Violence against women continues to be one of the important problems in the country as well as in the rest of the world.
Violence against women, which is a violation of human rights based on gender discrimination, can be encountered in various forms. When it comes to violence against women, the first thing that comes to mind is physical violence, namely assault, wounding and murder, but there are other types of violence as well.
Assault is the most common type of violence that women are exposed to in the country.
According to the Statistical Institute data, in line with records by the Police Directorate of the Prevention of Violence Against Women, assault is the most common type of violence that women are exposed to in the country.
In 2022, assault ranks first with 41.3 per cent, followed by provocative phone calls/messages at 7.2 per cent, threats of violence at 5.8 per cent, and violating Electronic Communications Law at 4.6 per cent.
While a total of 952 crimes against women were recorded in 2022, these crimes increased the most between June and October.
-Variation of the type of violence against women according to districts
“Forced abduction” was mostly recorded in Lefkoşa with 83 per cent, “sexual rape” in Gazimağusa with 63 per cent, and “sexual harassment” in Girne with 36 per cent. “Assault” in Gazimağusa at 31 per cent, “provocative phone calls/messages” in Gazimağusa at 43 per cent, “harassment” at 46 per cent, in Lefkoşa, and “action against Electronic Communications Law” at 43 per cent in Gazimağusa.
