Skopje, 6 March 2023 (MIA) – Gender equality is of crucial importance in using the entire potential of society, not only 50% of it. Realization of women’s rights is an instrument of economic growth and wellbeing, while the connection between the empowerment of women and peace and safety are the core of the security agenda. Let’s take down the current and present stereotypes for men and women, heard Monday conference titled “Uniform – An Armor that Means Vulnerability – Our Everyday Battle on Two Fronts”, as part of the "Loud and Bold" campaign organized by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy.

Minister of Labor and Social Policy Jovanka Trenchevska said female police officers are those who enact the changes for protection from violence against women and domestic abuse, because they are first to get these reports, first in the field and first to protect women and their children. That is why “they need to be adequately protected from violence, workplace harassment, gender-based discrimination, sexist comments and harassment”.

“Gender equality is of crucial importance in using the entire potential of society not just 50% of it. From the heroism of women-fighters during WWII, to the first female soldiers in the Army and women in the police force, women have served, fought and contributed to the safety and prosperity of our country,” said Trenchevska.

This conference is organized in order to point out the importance of women in uniform as equal actors in the security system, and that they wear it with honor, dignity and responsibility. They are trained and perform their duties the same as men, which is impressive in a male-dominated sector and a society that still stereotypes male and female jobs.

Minister of Defense Slavjanka Petrovska said stereotypes that the security sector is reserved for men have been active for many years.

“In 2012, the percentage of women in uniform was 5,7% and today we have a jump to 10,8%. In 2012, only 9% of police officers were women, and today it is 18%. In 2012 only one woman was a colonel, and today there are seven. The overall representation of women in the Ministry of Defense is 47%, the percentage of women in managerial positions – 48% - is highest now than in recent years,” Petrovska said.

She added it is even more important for the women in the Army and the Ministry of Defense to truly feel welcome, and for them not to be discriminated against or disrupted while doing their jobs just because they are women.

Minister of Interior Oliver Spasovski said the only way for society to move forward is emancipated and economically strong and independent women and girls.

“The number of women in managerial positions grows each year, not just in the MoI, but in the Public Safety Bureau as well. We have female colleagues who run sectors, female assistant directors, chiefs, police station or department commanders, and we can brag with women who are part of the Rapid Response Unit, the Intervention Police Unit, SAE Tiger and the Helicopter Unit, which wasn’t the case before,” Spasovski told the conference.

Faculty of Security Dean Nikola Dujovski said there are now 475 women and 368 men studying at this Faculty, where it used to be unimaginable that there would be an equal number of male and female students.

This conference is organized in order to point out the importance of women in uniform as equal actors in the security system, and that they wear it with honor, dignity and responsibility. They are trained and perform their duties the same as men, which is impressive in a male-dominated sector and a society that still stereotypes male and female jobs.

Photo: MLSP