Skopje, 5 October 2023 (MIA) — North Macedonia's First Lady Elizabeta Gjorgievska welcomed at Villa Vodno the participants of "The Power of Choice: Realizing Bodily Autonomy for Women and Girls" high-level regional conference organized in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund under the auspices of President Stevo Pendarovski.

In her opening speech, Gjorgievska said bodily autonomy was a fundamental human right, yet it remained elusive for too many women and girls around the world. The conference, she added, aimed to encourage dialogue and amplify the voices of the marginalized.

"We are here to listen, learn and chart a way forward respecting and supporting the autonomy, dignity and rights of women and girls. The United Nations Population Fund, our valued partner in this endeavor, is the leading advocate for women's and girls' rights worldwide.

"Together, we will work tirelessly to make sure that the power of choice is a reality for everyone, regardless of their background and circumstances," Gjorgievska said.

The First Lady's speech was followed by keynote addresses by Minister of Labor and Social Policy Jovanka Trenchevska; UNFPA's Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Florence Bauer; UN Resident Coordinator in North Macedonia Rossana Dudziak; and UNFPA's Deputy Executive Director Diene Keita.

Labor Minister Trenchevska said one of the first steps taken by the SDSM's government coalition was to adopt new legislation which fully respects women’s rights and choice for pregnancy termination.

"I'm sorry that we have to point out that [protecting] such a basic human right is a success. I'm sorry that changing the law was needed to guarantee women's rights to make their own decisions. However, with a leadership that acknowledges and works toward changes that guarantee a life of freedom in one's own country, I have no fear for the process of implementing equal opportunities for both women and men," Trenchevska said.

Panelists are discussing different topics, including the progress and challenges in realizing bodily autonomy for women and girls in the region. They are also talking about how gender and social norms affect gender equality and bodily autonomy.

The last panel of the conference, which begins at 4 pm, will be addressed by the First Ladies of Albania, Armanda Begaj, of Bosnia Mirela Becirovic, of North Macedonia Elizabeta Gjorgievska, of Serbia Tamara Vucic as well as Slovenia's First Gentleman Ales Musar. The First Ladies of Croatia and of Ukraine, Sanja Music-Milanovic and Olena Zelenska, will address the conference via video message.

Around 100 representatives from the country and from Eastern Europe and Central Asia will attend the conference, including representatives of the UN and civil society, policy makers, women leaders, experts, young people and other stakeholders, organizers said.

"Bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive health and rights are key for progressing toward gender equality, reaching the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the goals of the Programme of Action adopted at the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, Egypt, in 1994. mr/