Moldova Soars in Gender Equality Ranking
Moldova has climbed the global gender equality ranking thanks to the implementation of family-friendly policies, particularly in the past two years.
This progress is acknowledged by Natalia Covrig, Executive Director of the Partnership for Development Center, in an interview with Teleradio-Moldova.
Covrig highlights that despite this positive trend, the country still faces significant challenges in achieving full gender equality across all sectors. Legislative changes and the development of policies that promote gender equality within the country have been key drivers of this progress.
These family support policies have also contributed to Moldova's rise in this global ranking. However, Covrig cautions that the authorities in Chisinau cannot afford complacency. Despite the positive and impressive results, significant work remains to be done in achieving gender equality. The persistent wage gap and unequal access to employment opportunities for women remain the most challenging areas.
According to a CPD analysis released in March 2024, Moldova's gender equality index stagnated or regressed in five out of six analysed areas. These areas include education, access to resources, perceptions and stereotypes, health, and the labour market. The only domain that showed progress compared to the previous year is the political domain, reflecting a 4-point increase in the level of gender equality due to a rise in the number of women in decision-making positions.
Moldova ranked 13th out of 146 countries in the world's gender equality ranking this year, climbing six positions compared to 2023. The global gender gap has narrowed by an additional 1.1 percentage points year-on-year, from 68.5% to 68.6%.
European countries like Finland, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Ireland, and Spain hold the top positions in the global ranking.
Moldova's Minister of Labor and Social Protection, Alexei Buzu, recently commended the country's progress in ensuring gender equality. "More employment services, more repaired nurseries and kindergartens, more business support programs, more options for using childcare leave, more violence prevention programs, more women in the police – this is how we build an inclusive Moldova," Buzu stated.
Launched in 2006, the global gender gap index is the longest-running index that tracks global progress in supporting countries to identify the most effective policies to eliminate gender gaps.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
