North Macedonia Ruling Alliance Pushes Gender Equality in Elections

Human rights activists in North Macedonia say they are encouraged by the decision of the alliance led by the ruling Social Democrats to make the number of women and men MP candidates on their election lists equal.

The move, announced this week, is the first time that one of the main political parties or alliances in the country has opted for completely equal gender representation.

In another unprecedented move, the ruling alliance also said its lists of candidates in all six electoral districts will be led by a tandem of front-runners, one male and one female.

For the purpose of the elections, North Macedonia is divided into six districts, each electing 20 MPs to the 120-seat parliament. The front-runners are the first persons on the candidate lists who lead the party campaigns in that region and have the highest chance of being elected.

"Our goal is to create a society in which everyone, male or female can fully accomplish their full potential," Social Democrat leader Zoran Zaev said.

Uranija Pirovska, head of the Macedonian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, told BIRN that the move was an encouraging affirmative measure after years of discouraging narratives in society, where women politicians had often faced gender-based discrimination and hate speech.

"This is a positive step forward," said Pirovska, or rather a "good starting point… that will encourage many women" because "society in North Macedonia only started speaking openly about gender equality and demanding true positive and affirmative change a few years ago".

"I see many women on those lists who have relevant backgrounds, who stood for something in the past, some activists as well, and this gives me hope," Pirovska added.

After the women are elected, ...