Skopje, 22 September 2022 (MIA) – Labour Minister Jovanka Trenchevska participated Thursday in a regional conference of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on gender-responsive family policies, taking place in Istanbul. At the conference, Minister Trenchevska spoke about progress achieved in terms of gender-responsive demographic policies in the country and future steps that will be in line with changing family formations and structures and the evolution of demographic trends, Ministry of Labour and Social Policy said in a press release. “Gender equality is one of the key principles of the Government of North Macedonia. Creating gender-responsive policies and budgets, as well as policies for harmonizing family and professional obligations, are our priority,” Trenchevska said. Trenchevska noted that the Republic of North Macedonia has achieved considerable progress in creation and implementation of gender-responsive family policies over the past few years. “The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy has taken firm steps in supporting companies to introduce policies to improve the balance between the family and professional life of their employees. One of the taken steps is supporting companies to offer childcare for their employees. Enabling flexible working hours and remote work, as well as other benefits for employees, are policies that we create together with social partners,” Trenchevska said. She referred to launching of the first Resource Centre on gender-responsive policymaking and gender responsive budgeting, where best practices are collected and continuous investment in gender equality is provided. “Examples from other countries, introduced and applied with the support of UNFPA, are a great inspiration. North Macedonia has a lot to offer and learn, and therefore we look forward to sharing our experiences and joining efforts with other countries in the region,” Trenchevska said. Shared experiences and lessons learned from the discussions at the conference, she added, come at the right moment for the Republic of North Macedonia, as a very important process is starting for development of a new demographic strategy. “UNFPA's expertise in the development of a comprehensive strategic document, which will cover the key demographic issues facing our region, is of outstanding importance. We have to face the demographic challenges and find solutions that are applicable in the current context and based on human rights. Because, only when the sharing of household responsibilities goes hand in hand with family policies in the workplace, is the path to success,” Trenchevska said.