Cyprus president makes government ministers sign a pledge not to tolerate sexual harassment

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Cyprus’ president has required all government ministers to sign a “zero tolerance” declaration on sexist behavior and sexual harassment among employees and anyone visiting a government office. Cyprus already has stringent laws against sexual harassment and sexism in the workplace. But it was the first time that ministers had to sign such a declaration in what Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides called an “institutional commitment” to eliminating such behavior in government. Cyprus ranks a lowly 22nd of 27 countries in the European Union in terms of gender equality. All ministers signed the declaration during a ceremony at the presidential palace on Friday.