Gender

Has Belarus really succeeded in pursuing gender equality?

I sometimes wonder — do women in Belarus live a good life? Well, they are better educated than men, live about a decade longer than men, and enjoy generous social guarantees (3 years of child care leave, for example). And they have a high-level of labor force participation and representation in politics.

Even by international standards, Belarusian women seem to live well. In the latest Global Gender Gap Index, Belarus was ranked 26th out of 144 countries — higher than Australia or the Netherlands. The statistics certainly indicate a high-level of gender equality in Belarus.

But what do the numbers really mean in reality?

Also available in: Shqip | Русский

Since arriving to the Western Balkans nearly one year ago, I have had the distinct pleasure of working with extraordinary people around the region - one of the most interesting and dynamic locations in the world. Not a day goes by that I am not inspired by the likes of Marija Bosheva’s, who is studying to become a scientist at a new laboratory for oenology and soil science in the FYR Macedonia, or Valoriana Hasi, a young Kosovar now working in ICT after completing a training for women in online work.

Stories like these remind me of the vast economic potential of this region, especially if countries here tap into one of their most valuable resources: women.

Also available in: English

The Harmonious Family Relationships course is Moldova’s first, voluntary school-based intervention focused on the prevention of domestic violence

Un studiu recent pe un eșantion de 220 de elevi din clasele X-XII din Republica Moldova a relatat că opt din zece (atât de gen masculin, cât și feminin) erau de părerea că o femeie trebuie să știe cum să gătească și să-i placă menajul. Fiind întrebați ce și-ar dori cel mai mult de la un partener intim, au vorbit despre aspectele fizice, înfățișare. De asemenea, adolescenții au relatat că, în opinia lor, o fată care locuiește cu un partener de sex masculin înainte de căsătorie este ușuratică.

Also available in: English

Зі 173 країн, які взяли участь у дослідженні під назвою Women, Business and the Law («Жінки, підприємництво і право»), близько 100 мають обмеження для не вагітних жінок та тих, що не годують, у виборі такої ж економічної діяльності, якою займаються чоловіки. Ці країни включають в себе досить багато країн колишнього Радянського Союзу, які, попри гендерно-нейтральні правові рамки, накладають такі правові обмеження, як заборона на працевлаштування жінок у певних галузях економіки та/або на роботу вночі.

Also available in: Română

A recent study of 220 10^th -12^th grade students from the Republic of Moldova revealed that eight in 10 (both male and female) believed that a woman needed to know how to cook and enjoy cooking. When asked what they wanted most from an intimate partner, they spoke of physical aspects, how they looked. The teens also revealed that they believe that a girl who lives with a male partner before marriage is of easy virtue.

Also available in: Հայերեն

April 7^th is an Armenian national holiday celebrating motherhood and beauty. And it may not surprise you that, since it comes one short month after International Women’s Day, we tend to combine the two events into a 30-day celebration of opportunity.

We get a lot of oversees movies here in Armenia – conveniently located at geographic and cultural crossroads – so l discovered a charming film called Hidden Figures which has captured a lot of interest in this very scientifically-minded country. It is an inspiring story with a lesson that translates easily here – that if all Armenian students and workers are empowered with skills, opportunity, and family and community support, they too could reach for the stars!

Also available in: Հայերեն

“You can’t hold back time,” goes the saying (and the song). Indeed, the Laws of Nature dictate that people and societies get older and older, whether we like it or not.

But let me pose a question: are aging societies doomed to experience stagnation or a decline in living standards? Some might believe so, but I would argue that it is possible to address the realities of changing demographics that come from aging – through bold adaptive action!

Also available in: English

«Ժամանակը չես կանգնեցնի», - ասում է ասացվածքը (և երգը): Իսկապես, բնության օրենքները թելադրում են, որ մարդիկ և հասարակությունները ծերանում և ծերանում են՝ դուր է գալիս մեզ, թե ոչ:

Բայց թույլ տվեք հարց տալ. արդյո՞ք ծերացող հասարակությունները դատապարտված են լճացման կամ կենսամակարդակի անկման: Ոմանք միգուցե հավատան, որ այդպես է, սակայն կպնդեի, որ ծերացումից բխող ժողովրդագրական փոփոխվող իրողություններին հնարավոր է դիմակայել հարմարվելու համարձակ վարքագծով:

After seventeen months in the South Caucasus, I have learnt a lot from colleagues in the countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia about this day, March 8^th. It is considered one of the most grandiose days of the calendar – when women and girls of all ages are acknowledged and showered with flowers and gifts of various kinds. Gifts range from a handmade card or a trinket to a bunch of violets or mimosa flowers. Older women might receive a bottle of French perfume, cosmetics, cutlery, crockery or other household items.

On March 8^th, it is a common occurrence to see street vendors selling flowers in abundance, and shops are mainly full of male customers. The most important gift is that, on this day, men are also supposed to do all the house chores, so that on this day at least, women can forget about dishes, cooking and childcare, and enjoy some well-deserved time off! In a nutshell, it is a day of paying tribute to women everywhere – in homes, classrooms, and workplaces.

Also available in: English | Русский

Recent, Asociaţia Professional Women’s Network (PWN) mi-a acordat titlul onorific de „Manbassador“. PWN este cea mai activă organizaţie din România care promovează egalitatea de gen la locul de muncă.

În România, aşa cum se întâmplă şi în multe alte ţări cu venituri mari, femeile i-au eclipsat pe bărbaţi de mulţi ani din punctul de vedere al numărului de absolvenţi şi al promovabilităţii în diferite forme de învăţământ şi cu toate acestea această evoluţie pe plan educaţional nu are un corespondent şi din punct de vedere profesional. Marea majoritate a societăţilor comerciale continuă să fie administrate de bărbaţi. Mai puţin de 5% din companiile listate în Fortune 500 sunt administrate de femei şi mai puţin de 10% din poziţiile de top management sunt deţinute de femei.

Gender

Has Belarus really succeeded in pursuing gender equality?

The key to unlocking the economic potential of the Western Balkans? Women.

Adolescenții, rolurile de gen și relațiile de cuplu în Moldova

Ліквідація правових бар'єрів у сфері жіночої зайнятості: Як це впливає на транспортно-логістичний сектор України?

Adolescents, gender roles and intimate partner relationships in Moldova

Armenia can reach for the stars – with the right skills!

Women count: Turning demographic challenge into opportunity in Armenia

Կանայք կարևոր են. Հայաստանում ժողովրդագրական մարտահրավերը վերափոխելով հնարավորության

Beyond celebrating – Removing barriers for women in the South Caucasus

Nu doar femeile trebuie să sprijine egalitatea de gen la locul de muncă

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