At the age of 19, Ismini Valasi spent a day in the position where decisions regarding the country’s defense are made. As the winner of the contest “What I Would Change If I Were Minister for a Day,” she chose to spend her time at the Ministry of Defense, a place traditionally considered a male-dominated environment. Through this experience, she gained firsthand insight into how the Ministry operates, spoke with officials, and observed firsthand the challenges, as well as the opportunities for greater participation by women in decision-making circles. In an interview with AlphaNews.Live, she talks about her experiences, what impressed her, and the message she wants to send to her peers.
“My distinction in the competition gave me the opportunity to visit the Ministry of Defense, accompanying Minister Vasilis Palmas on his official duties. This competition was open to female students in their second and third years of high school and was announced as part of a collaboration between the Office of Gender Equality and the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth. The goal of the competition was to increase girls’ participation in decision-making bodies, so that representation would be more balanced and equitable. “This goal was a decisive factor in choosing which ministry I would focus on, which is why I quickly settled on the Ministry of Defense, a traditionally male-dominated field.”.
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Ismini points out that, despite gradual progress, gender stereotypes continue to influence women’s roles in the military, often limiting their opportunities for recognition and career advancement. As she notes, from her discussion with the Minister of Defense, she found that there is a willingness to change these perceptions, a prime example being the establishment of voluntary military service for women. Although the response to date has been limited, she considers this an important step toward strengthening equality within the Armed Forces.
The discussion also touched on the modernization of the National Guard, as well as geopolitical developments in the region. According to Ismini, the Minister emphasized Cyprus’s strategic role as a pillar of security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, noting that modern defense is not limited to military equipment but is also based on technological superiority, countering hybrid threats, and international cooperation. At the same time, he noted that significant steps have been taken in recent years to modernize the National Guard and upgrade its infrastructure.
“As ‘Minister’ for a day, I had the opportunity to attend a closed-door meeting of the Minister on the topic of personnel management. If I took anything away from this, it is that the Ministry’s work certainly requires organization and professionalism, while all decisions are made based on merit and transparency. The impression I personally formed is that the Ministry of Defense, as the guardian of the supreme collective interests, operates with a clear sense of purpose, rational resource management, and a commitment to continuous self-monitoring.”
In closing, Ismini notes that she had the opportunity to accompany the Minister of Defense on a visit to National Guard military facilities in Limassol, in the presence of the President of the Republic. As she notes, the modern facilities she visited reflect the Republic of Cyprus’s efforts to modernize its defense sector.
She describes the experience as unique and particularly instructive, as it gave her the opportunity to get a firsthand look at the daily lives of those who make critical decisions regarding the country’s security. What, she says, impressed her most was the professionalism, the demanding pace of work, and the sense of responsibility with which important issues are addressed, while she also noted the efforts being made to increase the presence of women in a traditionally male-dominated field.
“Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Office of Gender Equality, the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth, and the Ministry of Defense for the impeccable organization of the competition and for the valuable opportunity they offered me. I owe special thanks to the Minister of Defense, Mr. Vasilis Palmas, for his warm hospitality, the willingness with which he shared his knowledge and experiences, as well as for the trust he showed in a student, giving her the opportunity to experience firsthand the work and responsibility involved in public administration.”
