Encouraging women's participation in local decision-making

Institutionalizing GECs

GECs were originally part of the Government's 1999 National Action Plan for Gender. Their implementation, however, gained new momentum in the context of decentralization, which began with the adoption of a new Law on Local Self Governance in early 2002. As part of the process of decentralization, responsibilities are being devolved from the central government to the municipalities, one of which is to ensure that women and men have equal opportunities and are treated equally.

By providing the necessary equipment and assisting the GECs in the development of their annual action plans, the Mission has helped to establish and institutionalize the first of these GECs in ten municipalities: Veles, Delcevo, Struga, Tetovo, Kocani, Prilep, Probistip, Kavadarci, Krivogastani and Bitola.

In each of these municipalities, a memorandum of understanding has been signed by the OSCE and the Mayor in order to establish the commission as a legal part of the municipal infrastructure.

"We are confident that GECs are going to be an effective instrument for gender equality policy at the local level," explains Claire Sneed, Programme Officer in the Mission's Public Administration Reform Unit. "The long-term goal is to have effective commissions established in municipalities country-wide."

Affecting policy at the local level

By linking local policy decisions to real life issues - such as health care, domestic abuse, assistance to single mothers and access to employment, education and justice - the GECs are already making a difference.

"In practical terms, this may mean a new day care institution for single mothers or help for abused women," says Stojna Trajkovska, Chairwoman of the Veles GEC. Local authorities in Veles, she adds, have started to pay more attention to the problems of single mothers thanks to the efforts of the GEC.

Lidija Dimitrova, President of the Kavadarci GEC, explains: "In our municipality, the GEC serves as a focal point for efforts to improve labour conditions for women working in textile factories."

The future role of GECs

The municipal elections in March and April saw a significant increase in women elected across the country's 84 municipalities. According to UWOM statistics, women now constitute over 22 per cent of municipal councilors - up from eight per cent in 2000.

As many of these women are serving in public office for the first time, GECs will be conducting training workshops for newly-elected women councilors as well as other women employed by the municipalities. Workshops will focus on gender mainstreaming and on developing leadership and other skills the women will need in their new positions.

In addition to promoting gender equality, GECs should help to reduce domestic violence and human trafficking by raising public awareness and fostering debate on these issues," says Sneed. "Greater public awareness will, in the long run, encourage local government to support policies and projects that tackle these problems."

The Mission will now focus on providing technical assistance, training, strengthening networks and establishing new commissions across the country. To support the Government's gender action plan, a network of GEC representatives will be established to promote better access to employment and self-employment opportunities.

Reaching out

The Mission has produced a short documentary film, called "Fifty - Fifty", which highlights the role of GECs within the broader context of the decentralization process and captures public viewpoints on gender roles. The film was distributed to the GECs for use in gender awareness media campaigns.

The film is also being shown across the country by local media to increase awareness of the work of the GECs and to help raise funds for local projects that will advance gender equality.