NATIONAL ACTION PLAN
FOR GENDER EQUALITY

2007-2012

Skopje, May 2007,

T a b l e o f C o n t e n t s

Summary

Introduction

Basic Terms and Terminology

Development until the Present Moment

General Objective of the National Action Plan for Gender Equality

Time Framework

Budget of the National Action Plan for Gender Equality

Methodology and Approach in the Design of the National Action Plan for Gender Equality

Situational Analysis - General Review

Legal Framework and Mechanisms of Action

International Obligations

European Integration

Gender Perspective as a Strategy and Policy

Strategic Areas of Action

Further Steps and Implementation

Monitoring Mechanisms and Evaluation

Conclusion

ANNEXES

Abbreviations

RM - Republic of Macedonia

NAPGE - National Action Plan for Gender Equality

CEDAW - Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

OUN - Organization of the United Nations

WHO - World Health Organization

EU - European Union

PA - Beijing Platform for Action

UPGE - Unit for the Promotion of Gender Equality

NGO - Non-governmental Organizations

AULS - Association of the Units of the Local Self-government

LS - Local Self-government

MLSP - Ministry of Labour and Social Policy

SSO - State Statistical Office

BSA - Bureau for Social Affairs

UNSC - The United Nations Security Council

ToT - Training of Trainers

PHC - Primary Health Care

NPAAC - National Plan for the Adoption of Acquis Communautaire

ACS - Agency for Civil Servants

SUMMARY

"Governments and other actors should promote an active and visible policy of mainstreaming a gender perspective in all policies and programmes so that, before decisions are taken, an analysis is made of the effects on women and men, respectively."

from the Beijing Platform for Action, 1995

The National Action Plan for Gender Equality is the second national document of this kind, whose basic aim is to improve the status of women and to provide continuous development in the realization of gender equality. The experience gained in the implementation of the previous policies and measures for providing equal opportunities, has shown that the dedication, cooperation, partnership and the application of the transparency and participation principles of all the actors from the economic, social, and political life is of exceptional importance in the interceding for reaching gender equality. This document was made exactly under those principles of the participatory democracy, through a process of several months of consultation of governmental institutions, the civil sector and the international organizations, present and active in this field in the Republic of Macedonia.

This document represents a national response to the international obligations of the Republic of Macedonia and an effort to unite all the attitudes, activities and resources in a coherent framework and a unique approach for reaching gender equality. The base of NAPGE are the Beijing Platform and the Action Plan, CEDAW, the Millennium Development Goals, the obligations arising from the process of the European integration and the adjustment and approach of the Republic of Macedonia towards the European Union, as well as the other international obligations. Thus, the plan refers to the priorities of 10 strategic and priority areas for action, to concrete tasks and activities of short and medium term for advancement of the strategic aims and establishes indicators and responsible parties for its implementation. The plan marks the road for further work, cooperation, and action of the Republic of Macedonia in the field of gender equality. The approach is established in the implementation of the measures through annual Operational Plans, in which the annual priorities will be established, the way of implementation, concrete time framework and the anticipated budget, the expected results, as well as the quality and quantity indicators for the achieved success, then connecting to the current processes in the governing bodies - strategic planning, budget planning and the National Plan for Adoption of Acquis Communautaire, by which consistency, synergy and rational use of the efforts will be provided, and simultaneously there will be work on the inclusion of mainstreaming a gender perspective in all policies and programmes and the gender budgeting.

The National Action Plan for Gender Equality is directed towards providing support and direction for the Republic of Macedonia and all the parties concerned in the process of providing gender equality and focused advancement in the processes of transformation and inclusion of mainstreaming a gender perspective in all policies and programmes.

"Gender work has to do with ideas, culture, and social capital."

Evaluating Gender and Development at the World Bank, no. 200, PrT SIZE=2>The policy of gender equality and the empowering of women represents one of the fundamental principles of democracy and social order. The gender equality in the Republic of Macedonia is guaranteed with the Constitution of 1991 and as a fundamental human right represents one of the most important objectives and priorities of the state.