During the period when Cyprus was under British colonial rule, the island experienced a tumultuous time marked by constant strikes and demands for change. In those years, Cyprus served as a hub for ongoing protests and calls for reform. In May 1940, Diamantou Charalambous, a construction worker, played a revolutionary role. Her actions defied societal norms prevalent during that era.

Diamantou courageously challenged gender stereotypes, rejecting the established norms that confined women to the private sphere as obedient mothers and housewives. In May 1940, she actively participated in a demonstration organized by unemployed construction workers in Nicosia. Her involvement led to a brutal assault by the police, who sought to quell the workers’ demands for job opportunities from the colonial government. Unfortunately, specific details about the exact location and date of this incident are not available.