Today (20 May), President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and Minister of Defense Vlado Misajlovski spoke at the promotion of the gender self-assessment in defense and the Gender Action Plan 2024-2028 of the Ministry of Defense and the Army, where they concluded that there is visible progress and a positive trend in the increase of the number of women in the defense sector.
President Siljanovska-Davkova said that as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, she does not approach gender issues in the Army and defense merely as an observer, but as an actor.
“I regret that, for many women in defense, regardless of whether they are part of the Ministry or military structures, the real fight does not begin in the missions in which they participate and make equal sacrifices, but in their own ranks, as a fight for equal working conditions and equal status, as a fight to reconcile professional life with family obligations, and unfortunately, sometimes a fight for equal appreciation of labor and progress,” the President stated.
She added that “promoting gender equality, in my opinion, is not about giving advantage, but about removing obstacles and ensuring equal treatment for all. We must level the playing field and open up space for excellence, regardless of where it comes from.”
Minister Misajlovski called gender equality a “civilizational value” that “sublimates all potential and capacity and creates synergy that will be the engine for common development.”
“For us, the greater representation of women in security structures is a priority – not only in numbers, but in quality. Perhaps the most significant step was taken by Macedonian citizens who, by electing the first female Supreme Commander of the Army, President Siljanovska-Davkova, to this top state position, showed that they are free from the constraints of whether the state, and thus the armed forces, are headed by a man or a woman,” Misajlovski said.
The Minister emphasized that by strengthening gender equality mechanisms, focused on gender training at all levels in the Ministry and the Army, we multiply our potential and bring real solutions to improve the internal structure, leadership, personnel policies, working conditions and infrastructure. He informed the attendees that 52.3 percent of the manager positions in the Ministry are held by women.
Misajlovski emphasized that the percentage of women’s representation must continue to increase and added that he is firmly convinced that “a person can only be distinguished by dedication, professionalism and personal integrity and nothing else.”
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden, Ami Larsson Jaim, and the Deputy Director of DCAF – Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance, Beatrice Godefray also spoke at the promotion, highlighting the importance of gender equality. Ambassador Larsson Jaim congratulated everyone involved in the process for their commitment and planning to make the work environment gender-responsive and more attractive for men and women to contribute equally to the leadership, protection and security of the country.
DCAF Deputy Director Godefroy expressed her gratitude for the cooperation with the Ministry and said that “there can be neither meaningful progress nor sustainable development without the equal and substantive participation of men and women.” Godefroy emphasized that the defense and the Army had a “professional and dedicated approach to the gender self-assessment” and that “this process was a significant opportunity for institutional reflection, mutual learning and trust-building.”
The Gender Self-Assessment and the Gender Equality Action Plan 2024-2028 of the Ministry of Defense and the Army were developed in cooperation with DCAF-Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance, supported by Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands and the European Union. The Gender Equality Action Plan is a strategic document based on the findings of the Gender Self-Assessment. It provides for specific measures and activities to promote gender equality within the Ministry and the Army in areas such as strengthening the gender structure, decision-making, professional development, training, equipment, infrastructure and organizational culture.
Today’s promotion was also attended by the Chief of General Staff, General Sashko Lafchiski, members of Parliament, members of the diplomatic corps, defense employees, and Army members.
