More than 100 women who are running for the post of mayor or councilor in settlements of central and northern districts have been trained and encouraged to become actively involved in the social and political life. The performed activities form part of a project designed to promote gender equality. The authors of the project on June 11 presented the project’s results and called on the voters to support the women candidates.
In a news conference at IPN, the association’s head Olga Patlati said the project encouraged the women to take a more active part in the public life at social, political and economic levels and in the decision-making process. The beneficiaries are mainly candidates for the posts of mayor and councilor who represent different parties and are from different settlements of Balti municipality, Drochia, Rezina, Telenesti and other districts. Within the activities, the women learned communication techniques and how to react in different situations. They also acquired oratorical and leadership skills.
Association member, ex-MP Zoia Jalba said the legislation on gender equality is good, but there is no mechanism for implementing it or the existing mechanism is inefficient. There is a mistaken perception in Moldovan society that the woman’s place is in the kitchen, not in politics. The women have potential, but lack courage.
“Gender-Centru” head Valentina Bodrug-Lungu said there are a number of national and international commitments on gender equality and there is an appropriate normative fretwork, but the implementation is not ensured. “The law provides that all the parties must make effort to ensure gender equality. How should we measure it and how should we ensure it? We promote gender equality, but in reality gender equality is not ensured,” she stated, noting that the gender equality is based on such important pillars as equality in rights, equality in responsibilities and equality in opportunities.
One of the beneficiaries Silvia Jaman, who runs for mayoralty in Drochia district, said that the women, who represented different parties, became more united and cooperated in a friendly atmosphere within the activities, acquiring communication and leadership skills.
“The women are wise, caring and patient. They do not pretend to be better than the men, but they can do many good things for the whole society. Politics actually means dealing with daily problems and is important for everyone and both the women and the men should have a place in it,” said Rodica Catana, a candidate for mayor in a settlement of the same district.
The project “Gender equality – chance of developing democracy in Moldova” is financially supported by the U.S. Embassy and is implemented by the public association “Honor and Right of the Contemporary Woman” in partnership with the public association “Gender-Centru” and the International Center for Promotion of Women in Business.
