The number of women elected mayors in the June local elections is higher compared with the elections held four years ago. However, fewer women were elected local councilors. Experts say the women proved they can be efficient and strengthened their positions, but the lists of candidates for councilor are compiled under political influence.
In a news conference at IPN on July 14, Cristian Ciobanu, of the Partnership for Development Center, said the women in the recent local elections were elected to 185 of the 898 posts of mayor. This is by 20 persons more than four years ago. “Even if the number of women candidates wasn’t higher than in 2007, their success was greater. They turned out to be better candidates as they have experience and accomplishments, but the obstacles to entering politics are much greater for women,” she stated.
As regards the women candidates for local councilor, Cristian Ciobanu said this figure in 2007 was 33.2%, while in 2015 – 29.8%. The women are not only not fielded for the post of councilor and are written at the end of the list, but are also less elected because they are not promoted.
Andrei Brighidin, of the East Europe Foundation, said the women in the recent election campaign showed that they can be efficient and that they strengthened their positions and when the voters know the candidates, the women are less disadvantaged. “A conclusion is that the women want to run and it is a myth that the women do not have courage,” he stated.
He also said that the unsatisfactory data concerning gender equality in politics and the electoral process are due to the two years of inaction in fulfilling the obligations undertaken by Moldova, including by ratifying international agreements and by adopting the relevant national policy documents.
The head of “Gender-Centru” Valentina Bodrug-Lung said society should not forget that the women represent 50% of the total population. It is thus normal and lawful for the women’s voice to be heard and promoted at all the levels. Moldova has pledged to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and to work out important instruments for promoting them, including to institute a gender quota, but the situation shows that the commitments are not fulfilled.
