On February 12, the Cypriot government approved a bill that, if passed, would allow women to serve in the army on a voluntary basis.
Currently, women in Cyprus can serve in the National Guard only under a contract, while compulsory military service applies only to men who have reached adulthood. The new bill, supported by the authorities, proposes that women will be able to voluntarily join the ranks of the Cyprus National Guard. President Nikos Christodoulides, who endorsed the initiative, stated that it would enhance the army’s readiness and emphasize collective responsibility for the country’s security.
The bill still needs to be approved by parliament, but Defense Minister Vasilius Palmas is confident that the process will proceed smoothly, with the conscription of women starting in October 2025. He clarified that the recruitment of women will be separate from the male draft.
Although Cyprus is not a NATO member, it has committed to allocating at least 2% of its GDP for defense, given that the northern part of the island has been under Turkish occupation since the 1970s.
