Skopje, 3 Octomber 2024 (MIA) - As leaders in society, women bring positive changes despite all the challenges such as unequal pay, limited access to leadership positions and systemic barriers. But, despite these challenges, we continue to rise, to push boundaries, and to look for our rightful place in the future that we shape, Minister of Energy Sanja Bozhinovska said Thursday in her address at the Women Economic Forum – Balkans 2024 in Skopje.

The Minister noted that figures continue to show that women are underrepresented in key, decision-making positions and positions that require responsibility and high competence. She stressed that women’s participation in the workforce in the Western Balkans is one of the lowest in Europe.  

“When I became Energy Minister, I quickly realized that this sector – as many others – was a sector in which women were underrepresented. But all of these challenges only motivated me. I knew that leadership doesn’t mean holding a title, but taking action. I learned that leadership isn’t about position, it’s about responsibility. As women, we must constantly push for changes, not only for ourselves, but also for every woman who looks up to us and believes in a better future. We won’t wait for the change to happen, we will cause the change, we will be the change,” Bozhinovska said.

Around 300 business leaders, entrepreneurs, activists, researchers and academics from Portugal, India, Egypt, Turkey, Croatia, Slovenia and the Western Balkan countries participated in the Forum held in Skopje. The event is a part of the global franchise of Women Economic Forum (WEF) and G100: Mission Million. 

Photo: Ministry of Energy