The number of women in politics and in administrative posts has increased suddenly, but perceptions of the women in executive posts in society started to worsen in parallel, Alina Andronache, gender policy expert of the Center “Partnership for Development”, stated in a public debate hoisted by IPN.

“We witness a very interesting phenomenon. We brought a lot of women to executive posts through legislative norms, but the pandemic crisis, the economic, social and refugee crises came and the women were punished twofold for this. Moreover, owing to the absence of accurate information, of critical thinking in society, of skills to think critically due to the absence of correct information, of skills to realize the phenomena taking place around us, the women in posts were punished twofold, threefold for these mistakes,” said the expert, noting that things also worsened as regards the ethnic minorities and persons with disabilities. “The only progress we made is in the youth sector. Society wants more young people in different managerial posts.”

Alina Andronache said the women will not enter politics by themselves as society has other views. A concerted effort is needed as the candidates, including at the local elections, should be analyzed from such perspectives as skills, studies, experience, platform not based on gender stereotypes. “In 2019, there were adopted financial stimuli for parties that promote women and young people to executive posts at the local and central levels and the party is awarded for every female MP or councilor and for very young MP or councilor and not only. This money should be channeled to programs for women and young people. Besides, in the election and decision-making processes, particular programs and strategies were adopted with the assistance of the development partners to grow the potential of female candidates and young candidates,” stated the gender policy expert.

As regards the inclusion of persons with special needs and their access to the local elections, Alina Andronache said that fewer actions with results were seen here. “The only progress we have the past year is the law on paid public internships. A quota for young people with disabilities was included. This is significant. But we should not forget that we cannot promote persons with disabilities as long as the buildings are inaccessible. We should start from here,” said the expert.

She also said that in the process of analyzing the November 5 local elections, it was ascertained that over 50% of the population considers that the women should take care of children, the house, while the men should earn money. “This fact actually shows that we made progress in the legislative process and have programs, strategies and good laws, but the perceptions of society didn’t change,” noted Alina Andronache.

The public debate entitled “Participation of women, ethnic minorities and persons with special needs in local elections” was staged by IPN News Agency as part of the project “Stimulation of discussion in the mass media about traditional particularities of local elections and the need for Europeanization” which is supported by Soros Foundation Moldova.