Cyprus

2025

2022

2018

The highest possible score for a country is 100, and the lowest is -15. You can expand the different sections below to understand how the score was calculated for each indicator.

Indicator scores

Anti-Discrimination Legislation Applicable to Education

/10

Sexual orientation

Gender identity and expression

Sex characteristics (intersex)

Anti-LGBTQI Measures

There have been no legislative changes in Cyprus since 2022 that relate to education and SOGIGESC issues.

There continues to be no anti-discrimination law applicable to education that would protect against discrimination on grounds of SOGIGESC. ECRI has encouraged the Cypriot authorities to initiate amendments to explicitly prohibit discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics.

However, Article 28 of the Constitution of Cyprus (1960, amended in 2013) contains a general anti-discrimination provision. Sexual orientation and gender identity are not explicitly covered by the Constitution, although they could be deemed as included in the term ‘any other ground whatsoever’ of Article 28. However, it should be noted that SOGIGESC have never been considered by the Cypriot courts in the context of Article 28 of the Constitution. Legally speaking, however, Article 28 could be used for sexual orientation discrimination, and, by extension, for gender identity.

Policies and Action Plans

7.5

/10

Sexual orientation

Gender identity and expression

Sex characteristics (intersex)

No anti-bullying policy or national action plan: 0/10 | Anti-bullying policy or national action plan covering one ground of discrimination: 5/10 | Two grounds: 7.5/10 | Three grounds: 10/10

In 2016, the Ministry of Education and Culture of Cyprus published a Code of Conduct against Racism and Guide for Managing and Recording Racist Incidents, which is addressed to school authorities, teachers, pupils and their families. The Code notes that zero tolerance should be shown regarding incidents of racism or any form of discrimination due to nationality, appearance, community, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

In addition, the National Strategy for the Prevention and Management of Violence in Schools (2018- 2022) continued to be in force. The National Strategy has inter alia introduced legal and administrative measures to prevent and manage violence in schools, to ensure better access to rehabilitation and support services to promote the respect of diversity, equality and non-discrimination.

ECRI has recommended that the Cypriot authorities should prepare a national LGBTQI strategy accompanied by a national action plan, with enhanced action against hate speech against LGBTQI persons among its central elements.

In 2023, Accept-LGBTI Cyprus met with the new Minister of Education to demand the nationwide implementation of the Code of Conduct Against Prejudice in Schools and the Guide to Handling and Recording of Incidents of Prejudice. However, it is still up to each school to request support and training, therefore implementation remains flawed, with only 31 of 480 schools in the Republic of Cyprus having implemented the Ministries anti-prejudice policy.

Inclusive Compulsory Education Curricula

7.5

/10

Sexual orientation

Gender identity and expression

Sex characteristics (intersex)

No evidence of compulsory national curricula inclusive of LGBTQI people: 0/10 | The compulsory national curricula includes representation of one ground of discrimination: 5/10 | Two grounds: 7.5/10 | Three grounds: 10/10

Since September 2023, holistic sex education has been mandatory by law at all levels in both public and private schools. SOGIGE concepts are properly introduced in secondary school. The change was met with hostility from some politicians, religious groups, and parents, the latter alleging that the classes would promote “gender fluidity”, undermine traditional family values and the Christian faith.

In Northern Cypurs, QCA met with the Vice-President of the Assembly of the Republic and discussed school curriculum, criticising the intention of the local body responsible for education to revise a number of primary school textbooks and bring them more in line with conservative values, and called for a curriculum that promotes diversity on SOGIGESC grounds. QCA research on teachers’ attitudes showed that a large proportion of teachers support LGBTQI inclusive education.

Mandatory Teacher Training on LGBTQI Inclusion

/10

Sexual orientation

Gender identity and expression

Sex characteristics (intersex)

No mention of SOGIGESC in the mandatory teacher training programme: 0/10 Mandatory teacher training program with mention of one ground of discrimination: 5/10 | Two grounds: 7.5/10 | Three grounds: 10/10

There is currently no mandatory teacher training on LGBTQI awareness for all teachers. Nonetheless, the Ministry of Education published the Teachers’ Guide to Responding to Homophobia and Transphobia in 2019.

Between 2017-2019, around 250 teachers received training to address anti-LGBTQI bullying. The program was run by the state as part of an EU project. Home economics and biology teachers were also trained on sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The NGOs Cyprus Family Planning Association and ACCEPT-LGBT Cyprus co-organise the “Shield against homophobia”, a series of voluntary trainings for teachers, in practice mostly attended by teachers already positively disposed towards fighting intolerance and discrimination against LGBTQI people.

‍ECRI has reported that teachers in Cyprus feel unqualified or unwilling to discuss substantial SOGIGESC questions in the school environment. Proactive discussion on SOGIGESC issues is openly discouraged, if not forbidden according to oral instructions reportedly given to teachers. Discussing SOGIGESC issues or showing support for LGBTQI pupils has on occasions resulted in professional repercussions for the teachers or in backlash from conservative parents or parents belonging to certain minority groups. It is also of concern that homophobic comments by education professionals themselves have been reported.

School Environment and Partnerships

/10

Sexual orientation

Gender identity and expression

Sex characteristics (intersex)

Hostile environment

Hostile school environment and no government partnership with civil society: -5/10 | There is no evidence of the government providing funding or working in partnership with civil society: 0/10 | The government provides funding and works in partnership with civil society to promote inclusive education for one ground of discrimination: 5/10 | Two grounds: 7.5/10 | Three grounds: 10/10

Anti-LGBTQI hate speech is common by religious leaders in Cyprus, and remains with impunity. Discrimination against LGBTQI people is widespread and hate crimes, including against young people, are also common.

There is no information about LGBTQI-themed extracurricular activities in schools, and although there is no prohibition for LGBTQI organisations and youth clubs in primary and secondary schools, there are no such examples in Cyprus.

A 2021 study on the social and psychological needs of transgender persons in Cyprus showed that many respondents reported negative experiences and reactions from peers, family and professionals at school,

Based on the above information, it would appear that the government does not provide funding, not actively works in partnership with NGOs to promote LGBTQI inclusive education.

Legal Gender Recognition

/10

Legal gender recognition without self-determination

Legal gender recognition with self-determination (over 16)

Legal gender recognition with self-determination (under 16)

No gender recognition provisions: 0/10 | There are laws and provisions, but with legal/medical/psychological approval: 5/10 | There are laws for self-determination, but only for those over 16 years of age: 7,5/10 | There are laws on gender self-determination, including those under 16 years of age: 10/10

Currently, Cyprus has administrative procedures for legal gender recognition in place, but no law. LGR is not available to minors. The 2018 guidelines by the Ministry of Interior set out that LGR should be provided on the basis of self-determination, but implementation is flawed. No information is available about policies or practices allowing trans students to use their correct name and gender in schools.

In 2022, as part of Cyprus’s engagement in the voluntary reporting on the implementation of the Council of Europe (CoE) Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)5, a national report on legal gender recognition was published in January. In September, the Minister of Justice announced that the legal gender recognition bill was approved by the Council of Ministers and submitted to the House of Representatives for discussion and voting. The bill establishes a model based on self-determination for those over 18. Those aged 16-17 would have to undergo a more complex process, which involves parental consent, a court decision and the approval of a committee to confirm that the child understands the consequences of their request. LGR would remain inaccessible to those under 16. The Parliamentary Legal Committee held the first reading of the bill in November and was presented by the Minister of Justice

Despite major advances in 2022 for a legal gender identity recognition bill including a first reading of the bill in November 2022, there were no developments in 2023 or 2024.

Data Collection on Bullying and Harassment

/10

Sexual orientation

Gender identity and expression

Sex characteristics (intersex)

There is no evidence of national or regional data collection on bullying and harassment in education environments, or SO, GIGE and SC are not specifically mentioned: 0/10 | National or regional data on bullying and harassment in education environments is collected and disaggregated for one ground of discrimination: 5/10 | Two grounds: 7.5/10 | Three grounds: 10/10

The state collects data on violence in school, but does not disaggregate that data on the basis of SOGIGESC. The Observatory on Violence in School, in charge of data collection, also promotes cooperation with teachers, NGOs, and other stakeholders.

In 2018, Accept Cyprus launched a website where anti-LGBTQI assaults can be reported.

In 2022, in Northern Cyprus, QCA launched a project to monitor human rights violations in education, map the attitudes of teachers and school staff, analyse the curriculum, and organise events.

Support Systems for LGBTQI Young People

/10

Sexual orientation

Gender identity and expression

Sex characteristics (intersex)

There is no evidence of support systems specifically designed for LGBTQI learners: 0/10 | Direct or indirect support systems are provided by schools or local authorities, but the providers lack training in LGBTQI-related issues: 0/10 | Direct or indirect support systems are provided by schools or local authorities for one ground of discrimination: 5/10 | Two grounds: 7.5/10 | Three grounds: 10/10

School psychologists do not receive mandatory training on how to support LGBTQI students or tackle anti-LGBTQI bullying.

Civil society organisations provide support to LGBTQI youth, but do not receive public funding for the provision of these services.

Information and Guidelines

7.5

/10

Sexual orientation

Gender identity and expression

Sex characteristics (intersex)

Anti-LGBTQI Measures

Policies prohibiting the presence of LGBTQI-related information are in place: -5/10 | Schools are not required to adopt inclusive education guidelines: 0/10 | Information or guidelines for LGBTQI inclusion adopted by schools that mention one ground of discrimination: 5/10 | Two grounds: 7.5/10 | Three grounds: 10/10

It is uncommon for LGBTQI-related information to be present on school grounds, and civil society organisations report that a special permission would be required.

The Ministry of Education’s 2019 Teachers’ Guide to Responding to Homophobia and Transphobia provides guidelines for teachers on how to address bullying and create an inclusive school environment.

In 2023, NGO QCA released the LGBTI+ Inclusive Education is Possible brochure on LGBTQI terminology, the effects of bullying faced by students, and ways to support LGBTQI students in education.

International Commitments

/10

Member of the European Governmental LGBTI Focal Points Network

Ratified the UNESCO Ministerial Call to Action

Neither Member in the EFPN or ratification of the UNESCO Call for Action: 0/10 | Member of the EFPN or ratification of the UNESCO Call for Action: 5/10 | Member of the EFPN and ratification of the UNESCO Call for Action: 10/10

Cyprus has ratified seven of the nine core UN treaties, including the ICESCR and the CRC, which enshrine the right to education. Cyprus is a member of the European Governmental LGBTI Focal Points Network (as of November 2020) and has signed the 2016 UNESCO Call for Action. As part of its third UPR review, Cyprus received and accepted seven recommendations on SOGIGESC issues, to protect LGBTQI people from discrimination and violence, adopt an action plan and a law on LGR.

View the map scored by indicator

Grounds of discrimination

Here is the country's score for each ground of discrimination on which we based our observations for 8 of the 10 indicators presented above.

Sexual orientation

Gender identity and expression

Sex characteristics (intersex)

See the map scored by ground of discrimination

Country score evolution

2025

32.5

/100

2022

17.5

/100

2018

/100

To enable a meaningful comparison of country progress over time, we have retroactively aligned the scoring systems used in the 2018 and 2022 Editions of IGLYO’s LGBTQI Inclusive Education Index with the updated 2025 scoring criteria. While each edition of the research has built on the previous one, reflecting evolving standards and priorities in inclusive education, minor changes to indicators and scoring weights were introduced in 2022 and 2025 to improve clarity, consistency, and comprehensiveness.
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By recalculating the earlier scores according to the 2025 framework, we have tried to ensure comparability across all three editions and provide a more accurate picture of progress, stagnation, or regression in each country’s approach to LGBTQI-inclusive education. For this reason, you might find some scores in the PDF Report & Index 2018 and 2022 differing from those on the Education website for these two years.

Good practices

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