Members of the Platform for Gender Equality on March 4 shared flowers to the MPs at the entrances to the Parliament Building, right before the plenary sitting. The representatives of civil society, who offered the MPs red and white carnations, said that this way they aimed to remind that March 8 is the day when it equal rights for men and women are promoted, IPN reports.

The Platform’s head Valentina Bodrug-Lungu said they wanted to remind the MPs that it’s time to return to the 1+1 format. The lawmakers must adopt legislative amendments concerning gender equality. “In Moldova’s Parliament, the number of women should be equal to that of men and the bill on gender quotas should be passed. We plead for quotas as an instrument for promoting gender equality,” she stated.

For her part, secretary general of the NGO Council Antonita Fonari, who is a member of the Platform, said the amendments on gender equality that will be adopted should bring more women to Parliament and to other executive posts and in business and the public administration. Though the women obtained the first rights over 100 years ago, their presence in the public area is yet at a low level.

Andrei Brighidin, of East Europe Foundation, said the people can offer flowers to the women on March 8, but only the MPs are those who can adopt the package of laws No. 180. This package will institute the minimum gender representation quota and will thus ensure equality de facto in the decision-making process. Only when the men and women are represented equitably in Parliament, society will be durable.

The MPs had different reactions when they were offered carnations. Some of them accepted them gladly, while others refused to take them. The MPs also received leaflets with a message by which they are reminded about their promise to adopt amendments to the legislation on gender equality.