Skopje, 17 October 2024 (MIA) – President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova met Thursday with the Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UN Women Deputy Executive Director for Normative Support, UN System Coordination, and Programme Results.

According to the President's Office, during the meeting, they exchanged opinions on the progress made in the country regarding gender equality, the effectiveness of strategies against gender-based violence, opportunities for women's economic empowerment, increasing their representation in leadership roles, the challenges faced by women from marginalized communities, and cooperation with UN Women.

“The interlocutors agreed that equal participation of women in policymaking, as well as in the areas of defense, security, and international relations, is essential for inclusive and sustainable development. In this regard, it was highlighted that gender inequality is more visible at the local level, where women seeking leadership positions encounter numerous barriers arising from patriarchal values and gender stereotypes. Additionally, it was pointed out that more investments are necessary in programs designed to create a fairer labor market, ensuring equality and equal opportunities for women and men,” reads the press release.

In order to advance gender equality and enhance the status of women in all aspects of public and private life, Siljanovska Davkova underscored that the country will continue to fully align its national strategic documents with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and with Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality.

During her conversation with Gumbonzvanda, President Siljanovska Davkova underscored her full commitment to raising awareness about gender equality issues and expressed support for initiatives that improve the overall status of women in Macedonian society. She expressed her belief that close collaboration with UN agencies and UN Women will continue to strengthen in the future, aiming to ensure that gender equality is a priority on the national agenda.

Photo: Office of the President of the Republic of North Macedonia