Во oрганизација на Хуманитарното здружение „Мајка“ од Куманово Organized by the Humanitarian Association “Mother” from Kumanovo, a public debate titled “Women’s Leadership as a Mirror of the Community” was held, where women from rural and suburban areas called for greater participation in local decision-making and more active communication with institutions.

The event was implemented within the framework of the project “Women Take Leadership in Local Communities,” and the debate was attended by representatives from eight rural and suburban communities in the municipality of Kumanovo, representatives of the local self-government, councilors, civil society organizations, educational institutions, media, and citizens.

The panel discussion included the Secretary of the Municipality of Kumanovo, the coordinator for equal opportunities for women and men within the municipality, as well as representatives of local women’s groups, who spoke about the challenges faced by women in rural areas and the need for their greater inclusion in decision-making processes.

Participants pointed out that women from rural communities continue to have limited access to local policies, insufficient information, and inadequate systematic participation in planning and decision-making processes. The discussion also emphasized the need to improve the functionality of existing mechanisms for civic participation and to increase the representation of women in local community councils.

The debate also resulted in concrete recommendations for improving local women’s civic participation, including regular field visits by local self-government units, reactivation and strengthening of local community councils, the introduction of diverse mechanisms for civic participation, and improved communication between institutions and citizens.

The organizers stated that women from local communities must be active participants in shaping policies that directly affect their daily lives.

The project “Women Take Leadership in Local Communities” is funded by the European Union and co-financed by Sweden, and it is implemented by the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation in partnership with Akcija Zdrzhenska and the Humanitarian Association “Mother” from Kumanovo. The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation во партнерство со Акција Здруженска и Хуманитарно здружение „Мајка“ Куманово.