March 8 is a day to celebrate equality between women and men, urges the Antidiscrimination Council.

“When we refer to gender equality we mean first and foremost equality of rights, freedoms and possibilities in all areas of life for both women and men,” the Council’s president Yan Feldman was quoted in a press release as saying.

Equality of representation, including in decision-making roles, is also paramount, as are equal opportunities and responsibilities in both personal and professional live.

“Although the government has made progress in the last few years to ensure equal treatment of women and men through changes in legislation or measures to integrate and promote women, there are still a number of inequalities affecting women. Young women face more difficulties than young men in terms of employment. Women are paid less than men. Similarly, women remain more prone to situations of part-time employment and are more likely to interrupt their careers to care for children”, says Feldman.

Inequality between women and men automatically reflects on women’s pensions, says Feldman, and Moldova’s legislation still uses some discriminatory notions in relation to women. For example, the Classification of Occupations still continues to dictate the distribution of roles between women and men in the family, at work and in society.

The Antidiscrimination Council urges every member of the public to contribute to combating prejudice and discrimination, recognizing women’s achievements and facilitating their participation in all areas of life.