Over the course of the last three electoral cycles, the percentage of women candidates for mayor has increased by 5%, while compared to the 2015 election cycle, a 4.6% increase was registered in the local elections set for October 20. The "Gender analysis of candidates for 2019 local elections” report results were presented at an IPN press conference by Alina Andronache, specialist in public relations and in advocacy at the Center for Partnership for Development.

According to the report, the share of mayoral women candidates was 18.9% in the 2011 elections, 22.5% - in the 2015 elections and 27.1% - in the elections set for October 20, 2019. "We can observe a steady trend. Although the representation of women is growing, they are still underrepresented and political parties do not rush to appoint women to office”, said Alina Andronache.

The Development Partnership Center specialist said that if the trend continues, Moldova will reach the 40% share of mayoral women candidates over three electoral cycles, which is in 2030.

According to the report, most of the mayoral women candidates are part of the Șor Party (42.2%), while the PCRM (17%) has the least mayoral women candidates. "The percentage of women who run independently, that is 23.7%, is lower than the share of women nominated for the same position by political parties. This shows that women are more reluctant to run without the support of a political party”, said Alina Andronache.

The settlements with the highest number of mayoral women candidates are Anenii Noi (38.2%), Sângerei (37%) and Edineț (36.2%). Women are the least represented in the mayoral race for Chișinău (15.3%) and Balți (14.3%).

The report was made by the Development Partnership Center as part of the "Supporting women's leadership and participation in decision-making in the Republic of Moldova" project, funded by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and the government of Sweden.