Our Story
The idea of bringing women together in a common structure was the shared dream of Sevgul Uludag and Katie Economidou. This vision led to the seminar “Communication in Divided Communities: What Women Can Do,” held on March 17-18, 2001, with support from the British Council, NGO Resource Center, and the British High Commissioner. Directed by Dr. Cynthia Cockburn, the seminar featured speakers from conflict regions such as Ireland, Bosnia, and Israel-Palestine, who shared their experiences with 30 women from both the northern and southern parts of Cyprus.
The seminar faced significant challenges, including restrictions on movement across the border imposed by northern authorities, which allowed only ten women to cross. The Greek press accused participants of treason. Despite these obstacles, the seminar succeeded in establishing an electronic mailing list called “cypriotwomengroup,” which facilitated ongoing communication and project collaboration among the women.
Due to restrictions on meeting places, the participants chose Pyla, a village inhabited by both communities, as their new meeting location. Despite facing accusations of espionage and encountering difficulties at the border, the women continued to meet in Pyla, valuing face-to-face interactions over electronic communications.
The formation of Hands Across the Divide (HAD) involved overcoming diverse perspectives and priorities. Women from the North focused on political solutions, while those from the South prioritized EU accession. Workshops were conducted to foster better understanding and collaboration among members, leading to the formal registration of HAD as a non-profit NGO in London in February 2002.
Significant events included the hopeful meetings between leaders RR Denktas and Glafkos Kleridis in late 2001, which reignited hopes for peace. HAD’s mission emphasized promoting peace, multiculturalism, gender equality, and democratic values. The organization’s activities reflected this mission, including sending letters to the UN Secretary General, organizing peace demonstrations, and advocating for unrestricted crossings.
Cultural initiatives played a key role in HAD’s efforts, with projects like the Multi-Cultural Cafe and the Peace-Bus project promoting unity. Symbolic gestures, such as exchanging gifts to be kept “until peace comes,” were inspired by personal stories like that of Leyla Kıralp.
HAD’s continuous advocacy for peace included ongoing activities and initiatives that brought together women from different ethnic backgrounds. In 2011, HAD celebrated its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of dedicated efforts. The organization was officially registered as a non-profit NGO in the Republic of Cyprus in 2010.
HAD continues to play a pivotal role in advocating for peace and unity in Cyprus, fostering a culture of harmony and understanding among women from both communities, and contributing to the ongoing peace process on the island.