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Gender disparity remains in the workplace, says PwC study

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Gender disparity remains in the workplace, says PwC study

– Global progress on achieving gender parity at work is slow, according to PwC’s Women in Work Index and Inclusion Matters studies published for International Women’s Day 2024.
– The 2024 Women in Work Index indicates it will take over 50 years to close the gender pay gap across 33 OECD countries.
– The Women in Work Index measures gender equality at work in the OECD using five indicators: the gender pay gap, female labor force participation rate, gap between male and female labor force participation rates, female unemployment rate, and female full-time employment rate.
– Over the past decade, the average Index score increased from 56.3 in 2011 to 68 in 2022, with a two-point improvement from 66 in 2021 to 68 in 2022.
– Between 2021 and 2022, improvements in the OECD were mainly due to an increase in the female labor force participation rate (from 70.8% to 72.1%) and a decrease in the female unemployment rate (from 6.4% to 5.3%).
– The average gender pay gap in the OECD widened from 13.2% to 13.5% between 2021 and 2022.
– The gender pay gap has narrowed by only three percentage points between 2011 and 2022 across the OECD.
– Luxembourg ranks first on the Index, particularly due to having the lowest gender pay gap in the OECD at -0.2%, indicating higher median pay for women than men.
– PwC’s Inclusion Matters research, part of the Global Hopes and Fears Survey 2023, found that only 39% of women feel fairly rewarded financially at work.
– The research shows a significant gender gap in asking for promotions and pay raises, but women with high Inclusion Index scores are more likely to ask for raises, promotions, and recommend their employer.
– Women’s turnover intentions increased, with one in four planning to change employers within the next 12 months, slightly below the rate for men at 27%.
– Higher inclusion scores correlate with less likelihood of changing employers and more active pursuit of development and new skills by women.

The artistic flair inspiring greener European cities

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The artistic flair inspiring greener European cities

In Amsterdam, the Stadhouderskade thoroughfare is being transformed into a nature-friendly area with the help of students from various disciplines. This initiative, known as the “Green Mile,” is supported by six Dutch organizations including the Rijksmuseum and Heineken. The transformation aims to reduce car traffic and increase green spaces. The project is part of the CRAFT research project, which received EU funding and runs through April 2025. CRAFT is inspired by the “New European Bauhaus” initiative, aiming to integrate art, culture, and nature into daily life. Amsterdam, along with Bologna and Prague, is a leading city in this initiative, sharing knowledge and experiences to promote sustainable urban transformation. Activities in Amsterdam include installing an “insect hotel” and organizing clean-up events. The goal is to make Stadhouderskade a green and sustainable area by 2030. Another EU-funded project, CreaTures, explored the role of arts in addressing climate change through various experiments, including a role-play game in Finsbury Park, London. The project concluded in 2022 and aimed to inspire more active engagement with the environment through creative arts.

Slam poetry is back

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Slam poetry is back

The 7th International Poetry Slam Cyprus is an annual competition for local and international poets, taking place on March 11 and 12 at ARTos House in Nicosia. It is organized by Ideogramma and features short, intense, and performative poetry. The event spans two evenings, with the first dedicated to Cyprus-based poets competing for the National Slam Champion title, and the second featuring both local winners and international artists vying for the International Poetry Slam Cyprus title. Guest performers include Makis Moulos from Greece and Argyris Loizou, the twice-Cyprus national champion. The jury committee comprises Christophoros Roditis, Eleni Xenou, George Fialas, Katerina Attalidou, and Marilena Zakcheos. Competing poets include Maria Baka from Greece, Mama Fiera from Spain, Neža Prah Seničar from Slovenia, Antonia Eriksson from Sweden, and Henrikke Meidell from Norway. Additionally, three young poets from Xenion School in Paralimni will perform out of competition.

Liar to represent Cyprus at Eurovision (photos)

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Liar to represent Cyprus at Eurovision (photos)

Cyprus’ entry for the Eurovision Song Contest in May in Sweden is “Liar,” performed by Silia Kapsis. The song, written by Demetris Kontopoulos and Elke Tiel, will represent Cyprus at the 68th Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo. The song addresses fake societal situations, including body shaming and various forms of oppression. The music video, directed by Kostas Karydas, features choreography by Guy Groove and Kelly Sweeney and aims to inspire liberation and joy.

Palestinian pop singer hopes to compete for Iceland at Eurovision

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Palestinian pop singer hopes to compete for Iceland at Eurovision

Palestinian pop singer Bashar Murad hopes to represent Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest in May, aiming to bring a Palestinian voice to the event. The Eurovision Song Contest, taking place from May 7-11 in Malmo, Sweden, is a non-political event, but political issues often arise, such as the current scrutiny over the Israeli submission’s lyrics potentially referring to a recent conflict. Murad is competing in Iceland’s national final with a song co-written by Einar Stefansson of Hatari, a band known for its political statements. Murad, born and living in Jerusalem, finds learning Icelandic challenging but sees similarities to Arabic. His song “Wild West” is about overcoming obstacles and pursuing dreams. He expressed a desire to bring a Palestinian perspective to Eurovision, despite the contest’s rules and the political context. Russia was banned from the contest in 2022 due to its invasion of Ukraine, and while there is no Palestinian entry due to the lack of a Palestinian member broadcaster in the European Broadcasting Union, Murad’s participation is notable. He has mixed feelings about Israel’s participation but focuses on representing Palestinian voices. Israel has won the Eurovision Song Contest four times.

Sweden, ’s Olsson on ventilator after falling unconscious

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Sweden, ’s Olsson on ventilator after falling unconscious

Sweden midfielder Kristoffer Olsson, aged 28 and with 47 caps for Sweden, has been hospitalized and placed on a ventilator after falling unconscious at home. This incident occurred on February 20. Olsson, a former Arsenal player, is suffering from an acute brain-related illness. He is currently being treated by a team of Denmark’s leading medical experts who are working to diagnose and initiate the correct treatment. Olsson’s condition is not related to self-harm or external factors. He has played for clubs including Arsenal, Midtjylland, AIK, Krasnodar, and Anderlecht, and returned to Midtjylland last year.

Swedish PM to visit Hungary before ratification of NATO bid

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Swedish PM to visit Hungary before ratification of NATO bid

Fact: Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is scheduled to travel to Budapest on Friday to meet Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban before Hungary’s parliament votes on Sweden’s NATO membership bid the following Monday.

Fact: Sweden applied to join NATO nearly two years ago following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Fact: Hungary is the last NATO member that has not ratified Sweden’s accession, with delays attributed to criticism from Sweden regarding Hungary’s rule of law.

Fact: Orban expressed it would be a pleasure to welcome Kristersson and mentioned plans to discuss defense and security policy cooperation, the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and the EU’s Strategic Agenda.

Fact: Orban’s Fidesz party, which has a significant majority in the Hungarian parliament, proposed a vote to ratify Sweden’s NATO membership for February 26 and indicated support for the motion.

Fact: The delay in ratification has affected Budapest’s relations with the United States and caused concern among allies.

Fact: The visit by Kristersson follows an invitation from Orban, and they plan to hold a joint press conference.

Fact: Hungary leases Gripen fighter aircraft from Sweden’s SAAB under a contract that was signed in 2001.

Fact: There are reports of a potential new defense deal between Sweden and Hungary, but a Hungarian government spokesman has not responded to inquiries.

Cyprus has youngest population in Europe

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Cyprus has youngest population in Europe

– Cyprus has the youngest population in the European Union.
– The median age of Cyprus’ population is 38.4 years old.
– The EU’s median age is 44.5 years old, with Italy having the oldest population at a median age of 48.4 years.
– Cyprus’ median age has increased by 2.2 years over the last decade.
– The EU’s median age has increased by 2.3 years in the same period.
– Except for Malta, Sweden, and Germany, all EU member states have seen an increase in median age over the last 10 years.
– The proportion of working-age people (aged 15-64) in Cyprus is the third lowest in the EU at 24.7%.
– Luxembourg and Ireland have lower proportions of working-age people than Cyprus, with 21.5% and 23.2% respectively.
– Portugal has the highest proportion of working-age people in the EU at 38%.

Cyprus has youngest population in Europe

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Cyprus has youngest population in Europe

– Cyprus has the youngest population in the European Union.
– The median age of Cyprus’ population is 38.4 years old.
– The EU’s median age is 44.5 years old.
– Italy has the oldest population in the EU with a median age of 48.4 years.
– Cyprus’ median age has increased by 2.2 years over the last decade.
– The EU’s median age has increased by 2.3 years in the last decade.
– The median age increased in all EU member states over the last 10 years, except for Malta and Sweden, where it decreased, and Germany, where it remained the same.
– The proportion of working-age people (15-64 years old) in Cyprus is the third lowest in the EU at 24.7%.
– Luxembourg and Ireland have lower proportions of working-age people than Cyprus, with 21.5% and 23.2%, respectively.
– Portugal has the highest proportion of working-age people in the EU at 38%.

Hungary: Ruling party boycotts Sweden's NATO membership

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Hungary: Ruling party boycotts Sweden's NATO membership

The governing party of Hungary has boycotted the emergency parliamentary session to approve Sweden's entry into NATO. Despite the presence of NATO ambassadors in the parliament, Hungary demanded that the Swedish Prime Minister visit Budapest before the parliament decides on Sweden's application. The move leaves Hungary as the last country in NATO needed to approve Sweden's entry into the alliance. The United States has expressed disappointment over Hungary's obstruction of the vote.