Veles, 3 March 2025 (MIA) – The Veles association of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities organized Monday the annual national conference, titled “Stronger Together”, with an emphasis on the opportunities, challenges and capabilities of women and girls with disabilities and women from rural areas.

President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and Minister of Social Policy, Demographics and Youth, Fatmir Limani addressed the conference, supported by the Kingdom of Sweden and Sweden’s Kvinna till Kvinna (Woman to Woman) Foundation.

President Siljanovska-Davkova said a lot remains to be done despite some progress. The main foundation for people with disabilities to fulfil their rights, opportunities and freedoms is the convention for the rights of people with disabilities, according to her.

The main objective is its implementation, she stressed. “Unfortunately, we are far from reaching the objective. As head of state, I put people with disabilities high on my agenda,” said Siljanovska-Davkova.

In his address, Minister Limani called for social and economic independence of women from vulnerable groups.

Speaking at the event, EU Ambassador Michalis Rokas and Swedish Ambassador Ami Larsson Jain also called for inclusion and equal opportunities for people with disabilities, mainly women in the society. 

People with disabilities, said Larsson Jain, are probably one of the largest minorities in the world. “With this in mind, they face multiple obstacles of stigmatization, exclusion, outdated view and other barriers, which make the problem more complex.”

Photo: MIA