Skopje, 8 March 2025 (MIA) - The women's rights march in Skopje, organized by the Gender Equality Platform to mark International Women's Day – March 8, called for a value system that respects women, protects their rights, and guarantees their active role in society. This year’s march is held under the slogan "Let Them Eat Roses!"

The organizer calls for a women's march and a solidarity boycott to mark the international day of economic, political, and social struggle for women's equality. They reminded that women are not safe at home or on the streets that they don’t get more than a 20-minute break in factories, nor a day off in markets, and that shared parental leave is often not an option. They also emphasized that at work, they regularly face sexual harassment, bullying, and sexism.

“We want to remind the institutions and the public that we will no longer beg the police and the prosecution to act on time, but we urgently call for real protection and support for victims of gender-based violence. We will continue to fight for justice for all the women who lost their lives due to systemic neglect and femicides,” they stated.

The march also called for the inclusion of women in urban planning, an end to exploitation and workplace discrimination, as well as open and equal access to education and career opportunities without reproducing harmful stereotypes and prejudices.

“We want open and equal access to education and career opportunities without reproducing harmful stereotypes and prejudices. We will not allow the erasure of gender equality from our education. A better balance between professional and private life, greater accessibility to public services for early care and education, and the possibility of shared parental leave. Responsible and sensitive gender reporting in the media, as well as protection for female journalists. Instead of sensationalizing, the media should condemn violence and protect the victims,” they emphasized.

International Women's Day, celebrated annually on March 8, honours the social, economic, cultural, and political accomplishments of women worldwide. It also serves as a call to action to accelerate gender equality.

Photo: MIA