Petrovska: Sustainable peace and security cannot be achieved without full involvement of women
Skopje, 15 October 2022 (MIA) - Defense Minister Slavjanka Petrovska addressed via video a panel on "The role of women in times of crisis" as part of the international conference for the promotion of gender equality "Women in Foreign Policy".
The Minister pointed to the importance of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, on women, peace, and security, stressing that the crisis in Ukraine should be a reminder for the inclusion of women in all areas of conflict prevention and peace building. Sustainable peace and security cannot be achieved without the involvement of women, she underlined.
Petrovska also mentioned achievements at the Ministry of Defense.
“Today I’m proud of what we have achieved over the past period. The Ministry of Defense has become a leader in gender equality policies in North Macedonia, and the gender perspective is integrated in the strategic documents of the Ministry of Defense and the Army. I’m particularly happy that in addition to taking institutional measures and steps to integrate the gender perspective, we are also encouraging activities at regional level,” said Petrovska.
She stressed that an exceptional value in modern democracies is the involvement of women in defense, in work processes and in appropriate positions, including leadership, managerial positions, and decision-making positions, adding that societies where women and girls are not respected, valued and given equal opportunities are societies that are not capable of development.
“Everyone carries the responsibility for integrating the gender perspective and gender equality. Changing the mindsets and changing traditional norms that marginalize women is a collective responsibility. For a woman to be successful, the most important thing is to have positive role models, to be determined and inspired. That's why we need women who will be role models and encourage women and girls in our country and around the world,” the Defense Minister concluded.
