A sum of 163 million lei was allocated from the state budget for implementing the national program for ensuring gender equality. The plan will be implemented at a cost of almost 192 million lei. 12 million lei will be provided by Moldova’s development partners, IPN reports.

Minister of Labor, Social Protection and Family Valentina Buliga told the journalists that the Government recently approved the 2013-2015 plan of action for implementing the national program. The new plan of action was discussed with civil society and the foreign partners.

There will be opened a number of informational centers in settlements, where the women, especially those from rural areas, will be taught how to start businesses. Attempts will be made within the program to convince the young people to choose non-traditional professions, as there are many types of feminized professions in Moldova.

The women in education represent more than 75%, in healthcare - over 80%, while in the service sector – over 70%. Even in the feminized sectors, the administrative and decisional posts are occupied mainly by men. Only 8% of the women have or run a business.

Also, the women receive lower salaries and pensions than men. For a similar workload, a woman receives about 87% of a man’s salary. The average pension of a woman is 846 lei, while of a man is 930 lei.

The program envisions ensuring gender equality also in security, law enforcement and the military service in the National Army. According to the information presented in the news conference, 10 women were admitted to the Military Academy this year. A part of them chose specialties that are traditionally selected by men.