Laws that guarantee rights similar to men’s to women were adopted in Moldova, but the women do not benefit from the same representation in politics. In the case of candidates, the percentage of political representation varies around 30%. In the Eastern Partnership countries, 23% of the women, on average, run to be elected MPs and 16% of these are elected. The data were included in the regional study of the women’s representation in politics in the EaP states, which was presented on September 26, IPN reports.

Director of the Marketing and Polling Institute (IMAS) Doru Petrutsi said the women’s participation in politics depends on the place of the woman in society, the political context and the legal framework. The supply on the labor market for women and their employment as well as the mass media that regulate the perception of the women’s participation in politics count a lot. The political parties also play an important role in promoting women. Despite the campaigns carried out to positively promote the women’s role in society, such as the campaigns against violence against women, these do not have continuity and do not envision the implementation of very clear measures and with a visible subsequent impact.

According to the head of the Parliament’s commission on social protection, health and family Valentina Buliga, the first step in the area of gender was made through the law on the equality of chances between women and men that was approved in 2007. In April 2016, the legislature made changes to a number of laws to ensure gender equality in the public, economic and other spheres. “Some consider these laws were beneficial to us, the women. It is an incorrect approach. Legislative changes were made to ensure the participation of both of the genders in proportion of at least 40% and 60%. It is important to understand that pluralist democracy envisions really balanced participation by women and men in the political life and decision-making process,” stated Valentina Buliga.

She noted that the female MPs in 2014-2018 constituted 20.8% and remained at the same level as in 2005-2009.

Eva Gutjacr, deputy head of the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau, said the women’s representation in politics as well is fundamental for democracy. Everywhere in the world, the women sit in Parliament alongside men and their voice counts in debates and in the process of taking political decisions. The women showed political leaderism, participate in political decisions and had an important impact in society. Even if there are challenges, there are instruments to promote gender equality in decision-making.

President of the Central Election Commission Alina Russu said that a study centering on the women’s participation in the last three elections will be launched this October.

Gender Equality Platform executive director Eaterina Mardarovich said the women are anyway underrepresented in the political sphere in the country and the cooperation with Parliament in promoting gender equality is the Platform’s biggest accomplishment.

According to her, the study of the political involvement of women from the EaP countries shows the situation is different in each country and is determined by the political situation, the electoral legislation or the social and economic conditions. It is yet certain that there are enough women who can occupy political posts, but these are not promoted.

The authors of the study recommend the Republic of Moldova to make sure that the recently adopted law, by which a 40% women’s quota is imposed for party lists, is efficiently implemented by including the request that the women should be put on potentially victorious positions.

The study was carried out as part of the pragmatic cooperation framework for 2015-2017 between the Council of Europe and the European Union. The general coordination of the study was ensured by the Electoral Assistance and Census Division of the Council of Europe with the contribution of the Secretariat of the Gender Equality Commission of the Council of Europe and the European Institute for Gender Equality of the European Union.