Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies (MIGS)

The Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies (MIGS) is a non-profit organisation which promotes and contributes to projects of social, political, and economic themes relating to gender with an emphasis on the Mediterranean region. Support, regional, European and global initiatives and programmes concerning issues affecting women's lives, such as domestic violence, substance abuse, trafficking, war and the labour market.

The Institute recognises the multilayered levels of discrimination against women and accepts that this discrimination takes different forms. MIGS uses a combination of research, advocacy and lobbying, as well as trainings, conferences, and other activities in order to eliminate this discrmination.

The institute’s usual activities are transnational in scope and in impact. All activities seek to advance women’s rights and address the effects of policies, laws, corporate behaviour and other processes on the lives of women in Cyprus, and in the EU. Using a combination of research and analysis, campaigning and lobbying, building alliances with other NGOs working on similar issues, and communication and awareness-raising, MIGS aims to influence not only public attitudes but also legislation, and policy on a local, regional, and European level.

MIGS acts as a main contributor to the intellectual, political, and socio-political life of the region as this relates to issues of gender, in collaboration with other institutions. MIGS is closely affiliated to the University of Nicosia, the largest academic institution in Cyprus and has been actively involved, as a partner, in the administration and implementation of a number of projects related to issues of gender. More specifically, the institute has conducted work in the area of the media, interpersonal violence against women and girls, migration, leadership and decision making, ethno-political conflict, employment and economic life.

The Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies concentrates on the following areas of activity.

A. Civil Society Programme
B. Education and Leadership Programme
C. Trans-national Peace Initiatives
D. Archival and Publications Programme

MIGS works with a broad network of scholars and researchers with expertise in gender related areas and has strong links with a wide network of organisations working on gender in the Mediterranean region and the European Union, particularly civil society organisations, research institutes, and universities. MIGS is a member of several large European networks including the European Women’s Lobby (EWL), Women Against Violence in Europe (WAVE), Women In Development Europe (WIDE), and ATHENA – Socrates Thematic Network Project. MIGS is responsible for the secretariat for the Women’s International Studies Europe (WISE) network. The Institute engages in the regular exchange of information with these organisations and networks through newsletters, mailing lists, country reports on gender related topics, as well as information on new publications, training seminars, workshops, and conferences.

The institute has received funding from the European Commission, the Global Fund for Women, the United Nations Office for Project Services, the British Council, the European Journalism Centre, the Embassy of the United States of America and the National Machinery of Women’s Rights in Cyprus as well as from various other national, regional, and international organisations.

View the website of the Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies in (English)