The political parties are encouraged to include a sufficient number of women on the lists of candidates as gender equality will help combat stereotypes like the one that a greater presence of women in politics would lead to a lower birth rate, said Andrei Brighidin, of the East Europe Foundation.

In a news conference at IPN, Andrei Brighidin said the women’s representation in politics in Moldova is much below the international level, but the birth rate is not higher. Another myth is that there are no women who are prepared to enter politics in Moldova. However, about 60% of the university graduates in Moldova are women.

Alexei Buzu, executive director of the Partnership for Development Center, said that analyzing the number of women put on the lists of candidates, we can determine the parties’ openness degree - the parties that promote fewer women are closed parties.

Ecaterina Mardarovici, executive director of the Women’s Political Club 50/50, said the reason invoked by the parties – that they cannot find women who are ready to become involved in politics – is not plausible at a time when the lists of at least three parties running in the June 14 local elections include 50% and more women candidates.

According to an analysis carried out by the Partnership for Development Center, the women holding executive posts enjoy greater trust. Nevertheless, they are placed towards the end of the lists of candidates, as the young people are. The only positive finding is that one third of the women candidates are younger than 30. This is a sign that the young women become more involved in politics.

The analysis by the Partnership for Development Center was carried out within the Women in Politics in Moldova Program that is implemented in partnership with the UNDP, UN Women and the East Europe Foundation, being supported financially by the Government of Sweden and the Council of Europe.