Despite particular accomplishments, limited progress was made in increasing the women’s participation in the political and public life and in adopting laws by which to efficiently promote gender equality in the states of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The women represent only 20% of the number of MPs and 15% of the employees of local public authorities. The subject was discussed in a regional conference that is held in Chisinau on October 3 and 4, IPN reports.
“We are at a turning point when we should ensure equal participation for women in the political and public life. The achievement of the ten global objectives until 2030 depends on this,” said UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative for Moldova Dafina Gercheva.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Vladimir Vitiuc said the promotion of women in politics is perceived as an instrument of stability, humanity and social development. Last year Moldova’s Parliament took an important step towards ensuring gender equality by adopting the gender representation quota of 40% for political parties.
The conference includes a forum that promotes the exchange of good practices in ensuring the women’s participation in the political life and in working out policies based on the experiences and specific needs of men and women.
Ambassador of Sweden to Moldova Signe Burgstaller said this regional conference offers an excellent occasion for exchanging experiences and good practices on a very important subject – how can parliaments fulfill their representative, legislative and surveillance duties so as to advance gender equality.
The conference on October 3 involved about 90 MPs, local elected officials and representatives of civil society from Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The participants agreed to take immediate measures to eliminate discrimination and violence against women and to improve the legislation to ensure gender equality.
The regional conference is organized by the United National Development Program, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, with the assistance of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova.
