Association for the Protection of Workers’ Rights – Glasen Tekstilec, Shtip

Total budget: 5,558,286 MKD

Implementation period: 1 July 2024 – 31 October 2026

Specific theme: Gender Equality

Partners:

ECHO Educational and Humanitarian Organisation, Štip
Initiative of Unemployed Intellectuals, Vinica

Constituents:

Women and girls from the municipalities of Štip, Vinicа, and Delčevo. Workers from the textile industry, women entrepreneurs, women at social risk (women victims of violence, women and girls from ethnic communities, women with disabilities), pensioners, journalists from local media – correspondents for national media, media representatives, local authorities (mayors, councillors), local socio-economic councils, and local institutions from the Polog region.

For the project supported by Civica Mobilitas:

Through Women’s Activism and Initiatives Towards Gender-Inclusive and Responsible Municipalities

ACTION DESCRIPTION

Gender equality is an issue that, when addressed, creates an equitable society where financial resources are distributed in a fairer and more transparent manner. Current analysis shows that financial allocations remain gender-neutral and do not take into account the specific needs of women and men. To change this situation, civil society organisations need to be recognised in their local communities to establish successful cooperation with all constituents and to gain trust within the community.

Proposed solutions and activities will bring transformative changes by promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity within local government structures. We will work on strengthening anti-corruption mechanisms, enhancing transparency in decision-making processes, and encouraging gender-responsive policies and practices. By mobilising women and girls, empowering them with knowledge and skills, and facilitating their active participation in decision-making processes, we aim to create a more equitable and inclusive society.

AIMS AND OUTCOMES

General goal:

To mobilise and develop critical and independent thinking among women and girls for active participation in creating local policies and taking an active role in addressing gender-sensitive issues within municipalities.

Specific objectives:

To assess the current needs and priorities of women and girls in the local community.
To strengthen the capacities of women leaders and civil activists for active participation in creating and advocating for gender-responsive policies within the municipality.
To achieve organised influence and pressure on local authorities to address gender-sensitive issues in the community.

OUTCOMES

Identified needs and priorities of women and girls in the local community.
Mobilised, engaged, educated, and motivated women and girls to create gender-sensitive policies in the community.
Three gender-responsive budget initiatives prepared.
Informational materials prepared – posters in the form of guidelines with informative content on how to assess needs, mobilise women, include them, and advocate for specific requests and initiatives.
Three local forums realised.
One regional conference realised.

ACTIVITIES

Assessment of local needs and issues facing women and girls under municipal jurisdiction.
Mobilisation, education, and creation of a core group of women activists, female leaders from political parties, and municipal managers.
Preparation, presentation, and submission of three gender-responsive budget initiatives through the three forums in Štip, Vinicа, and Delčevo.
Promotional and educational materials and social media posts.
Ongoing media campaign through social networks and electronic media.
Implementation of three civic forums.
One regional conference (for the Eastern region).
Preparation of a survey questionnaire.
Field research (surveying).
Analysis of the questionnaire and preparation of a report.
Preparation of content and design for promotional educational materials to mobilise women and girls.
Implementation of three open information days.
Workshop on: Opportunities and forms for citizen participation in creating local policies; Assessment of the needs of women and girls in the municipality.
Workshop on: Gender analysis and gender-sensitive policies; Gender-responsive budgeting and gender-responsive budget initiatives.
Workshop on: Advocacy for gender-responsive policies and gender-responsive budgets.
Working meetings for preparing gender-responsive budget initiatives.
Presentation of three gender-responsive budget initiatives to relevant stakeholders and the media.
Meetings with the mayor, coordinator for equal opportunities, chairperson of the council, KEM, representatives of the committees within the municipal council.
Submission of three gender-responsive budget initiatives to the municipal council.
Preparation, printing, and distribution of informational-educational posters – guidelines titled “Step by Step to the Adoption of a Gender-Responsive Local Budget.”