National Gender Equality Program launched

The National Gender Equality Program for 2010-2015 was presented on February 3. It aims to incorporate the principle of gender quality into the policy documents in all the areas and at all the stages of making and implementing decisions. The coordinators of the program say its efficient implementation will contribute to significant changes in the conscience and behavior of the men and women, Info-Prim Neo reports. The program was approved by the Government of Moldova on December 31, 2009. It promotes gender equality in the economic, social and political spheres as a basic condition in respecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of the country's citizens, said Deputy Minister of Labor, Social Protection and Family Vadim Pistrinciuc. The program focuses on eight key areas: employment and labor migration; gender-sensible budgeting; women's participation in making public and political decisions; social protection and family; health; education; violence and trafficking in human beings; raising public awareness. Vadim Pistrinciuc said the program will have a positive impact on the quality of life. “The program aims to maximize labor force productivity by promoting the women's participation in the labor market, eliminating the disparity between the salaries of men and women and ensuring the women's economic independence, reducing thus poverty among vulnerable groups of people,” he said. Deputy Minister of Education Loretta Handrabura stressed that the development of the society depends on the contribution of both men and women. “We must learn to use the potential of the men and women, nor marginalize them,” she said. The Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family made a series of videos and audio recordings on human rights with the conceptual support of UNIFEM and the financial support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and the UK Department for International Development. The program will be implemented through two medium-term plans of action for 2010-2012 and 2013-2015.