Macedonian Helsinki Committee, Civil NGO and NGO Infocentre believe that the “celebration” of the International Women’s Day in cafes and restaurant shenanigans, which has become some sort of tradition in Macedonia, doesn't relate in any way to the ideas for gender equality and called on women in Macedonia to replace the philistine celebrations with remembrance of the true significance of the day and to say NO to the current retrograde gender policies.
“We are witnesses that the state is creating and implementing policies that put emphasis on stereotypical roles for women and behaviours that have been overcome long time ago. There are increasingly more public policies that affirm patriarchal relations and reverse reproductive policies. The emphasis on the traditional roles and responsibilities of women in the family only deepen the chasm between the two sexes", say the organizations in a joint public statement, adding that wrong and mislead state policies do not work towards true gender equality.
Organizations called to put the focus and energy from senseless drinking binges/celebrations to strengthening of public awareness and activism aimed to raise political culture in the society, and from government, legislative and other institutions demand urgent measures to respect and protect women's rights.
“Real change and gender equality are possible only through concrete action and daily empahsis on the important role of women in the society. We call on civil society organisations, especially those with mandate to work on subjects related to status and rights of women to adopt an uncompromising stance in the efforts to eradicate stereotypes and violence, political, legal, economic and social injustice suffered by women", the NGO Infocentre, MHC and Civil say.
March 8 - International Women's Day that celebrates the struggle of women for rights, equal participation in political, economic and social processes has been marked since 1910, to honour the 1903 demonstrations for universal suffrage. In 1975, the United Nations declared March 8 the International Women’s Day.
