The campaign prior to the November 5 local general elections should be correct, equitable, non-discriminatory, non-sexist so that the best candidates win the elections, said representatives of the Women’s Political Club 50/50 and the Gender Equality Platform. According to them, the phenomenon of violence against women in politics, which is a form of gender-based violence, has expanded.

In a news conference hosted by IPN, deputy director of the Women’s Political Club 50/50 Marina Marian said that a national conference entitled “Women’s Participation in Politics: challenges, barriers, opportunities” took place on September 23. The event brought together about 100 women from different regions of the country, candidates in the local elections. “The conference was aimed at creating a forum for discussions, exchanges of opinions, information and experience on the importance of the women’s participation in decision-making at the local level so as to ensure good local governance sensitive to gender and to the needs of all the citizens,” stated Marina Marian.

Nina Lozinschi-Sutac, secretary general of the Gender Equality Platform, said the message transmitted today is the one formulated as a result of the national conference by undertaking to maintain the equitable representation of women in decision making, including at the local level, namely by ensuring the election campaign is correct, equitable, non-discriminatory and non-sexist.

Valentina Bodrug, head of Gender-Centru, noted the country’s fate depends on each woman, man, young person. “We ask that the state institutions responsible for the organization and conduct of the local elections should ensure the implementation of the legal framework on the gender quota and parity placing on the list of candidates – two persons of one sex and three persons of another sex per each five candidates,” stated Valentina Bodrug.

“The punishing of political parties, male and female candidates who use hate, sexist speech and speech that incites discrimination is a very important moment. It is very important to make harsher the penalties for functionaries holding public posts who abuse power,” noted the head of Gender-Centru.

Note: IPN News Agency offers the right of reply to persons who consider they were touched by the news items produced based on statements made by the organizers of the given news conference, including by facilitating the organization of another news conference in similar conditions.