Women’s engagement in decision-making depends on the change of mentality

Women’s engagement in politics and economic development of the country depends mostly on the change of mentality, both of men and women. This was the consensus reached by experts that participated on Thursday, September 9, in a round table on the topic “The benefits of women’s engagement in political life and economic development”, Info-Prim Neo reports. “A written law is not enough to assure equality of men and women. I can’t blame the government and the Parliament for women’s low participation. The cause is in people’s education and mentality”, said Liliana Palihovici, head of the parliamentary commission for social protection, healthcare and family. The deputy said women must realize their role was not only that of family’s pillar. Women must involve in all important domains and they must have this motivation. “When we speak about elective functions, we’d be wrong to say women are less involved. They simply don’t have the same tools to engage and this is because the woman is not supported enough”, Palihovici stressed. Vice prime minister Ion Negrei, which is in charge of the government commission for gender equality, says the number of women involved in decision-making processes has grown since 2005. The number of women in Parliament increased by 8% and in local councils by 12%. “The level of women’s engagement in economic and political activities is growing and studies confirm it. The government even initiated a set of activities meant to increase the number of employed women compared to that of men”, Ion Negrei said. The Law regarding gender equality was approved by the Parliament in 2006. “Over the last years, we had more women engaged in politics- ministers, ambassadors. Political parties must draw conclusions and offer more functions to women”, said Boris Gilca, deputy representative of UN Population Fund in Moldova. Corina Fusu, head of Liberal Women’s Organization, claims the example of European countries proves women’s participation brings success. “We must have a law stipulating a minimum percentage of women in electoral lists. We don’t have a law, but we have parties with internal regulations that set a minimum participation rate for women. The most important thing is that the society reached a new level of mentality”, Fusu said. At the end of the round table, organized by OSCE Mission in Moldova, a set of recommendations regarding gender equality in decision-making will be approved.