First Regional Networking of the Rural Women from the North-East: Loud and Together for Changes

The women of the rural areas in the North-East region who rarely had space and support for active participation in the public life so far, met for the first time at a Regional Networking Meeting in Kriva Palanka, organized in order to stimulate women’s participation in local decision making and civic activism. This is the first of the three planned regional meetings within the project “Active Women”.

The event gathered the women of Karposh and Pukovsko neighbourhoods in Kumanovo, Konopnica, Mozhdivnjak and Durachka Reka/Stanci from Kriva Palanka and Ketenovo, Shlegovo and Turalevo from Kratovo, who shared personal experience, challenges and initiatives intended to improve the conditions in their communities.

Motivated for Action and Initiative

“It is my first time to come to such an organized event and I feel motivated to act in my community. Networking allows the voice of the rural women to be heard lauder in local policy making, while our joint action contributes to more efficient solutions to key challenges that we all face”, stressed Emilija Jakimovska from Karposh neighbourhood in Kumanovo.

Stressing the importance of women’s networking and encouragement, similar message was sent by Svetlana Kirova from Shlegovo, who expects specific changes in her community.

“Although women face numerous obstacles, the change has already begun. Upon our own initiative, we have rehabilitated the local community centre, which is a huge step forward for the whole village. This move is not only an expression of our desire, but also a clear and real need. It shows that when women join and take initiative, they can contribute to real changes in the community”, said Kirova.

Challenges and Obstacles

Despite the growing will for changes, rural women also spoke about the main reasons for poof women’s activism. They still face deeply rooted social obstacles that make their active role in the community harder.

“Patriarchal norms and political divisions still hinder women’s initiative. In many rural areas, women are still seen as supporters only, rather than decision makers. Their voice is often ignored. It is time to overcome the stereotypes and open space for equal participation, based on capacity rather than sex or political affiliation”, says the young Mirela Stojchevska from Konopnica, Kriva Palanka.

Negative experience on resistance to women and a different perspective to their activism was also shared by Jasminka Jakimovska, the only woman from Kriva Palanka who used to be a president of the local community in the village of Stanci.

“Although I submitted requests and I tried to open a dialogue, the doors of the municipality have remained closed. Still, it has not discouraged me. Every woman who encourages to speak, to oppose the silence or to start an initiative is a step forward, not only for herself, but also for the whole community. Our voice deserves to be heard, and our dedication to be recognized and supported”, stressed Jakimovska.

The participants in the meeting concluded that the key obstacles to bigger activity of the women in the rural areas is the lack of information and motivation, which often suffocates the initiative at the very beginning.

“Many of the women are not sufficiently informed about their rights and the ways how they can be involved in initiatives or ask for changes. With many of them there is also a lack of ambition, which only additionally decreases their activity. On the other hand, the municipality often just sends us from one service to another, without any real support”, thinks Tamara Kostadonovska from Turalevo, Kriva Palanka.

Women – Change Makers

They were unanimous that women’s mobilization is a process that might be hard, but possible. Although they are at the very beginning, these rural women have a big will for change and energy that can transform the community.

“We have unanimously defined the problems, we have contacted the municipality and we have a workplan. We are motivated by the desire for better conditions in our environment. We believe that with joint dedication and continuous cooperation we can make real changes”, stressed Vesna Ristevska from Kumanovo.

The participants expressed their satisfaction with the activities of “Active Women” project so far, which help them hear the women’s voice, but also keep them informed and make them approach the institutions in charge in an inclusive way.

“Now I know how to legally bring a change. We have learnt how to document everything, and most importantly, our voice has finally been heard. We are enthusiastic women and there is party that would colour us, nor an institution that would separate us”, stressed Emilija Jakimovska from Kumanovo.

Institutional Support

The meeting was also attended by the coordinator of the Equal Opportunities Commission from the Municipality of Kriva Palanka Gordana Ristovska, who said that mobilization might be difficult, but that it is these events that are a real possibility for encouragement and activation of women.

“I know that physical distance and lack of transport are one of the key reasons for insufficient women’s participation. But I encourage the women to participate at budget forums and give their proposals, because the municipality implements a significant part of citizens’ priorities. This meeting with so many women shows how strong they are and I will actively stand for increasing their participation in decision making processes”, said Ristovska.

In the end, the joint problems of the included communities that directly influence their life quality were detected. The women indicated chronic problems with water supply, unfinished sewage systems, poor lighting, bad road connectivity, as well as lack of health care facilities, and spaces for children and recreation.

The regional meeting was a proof that when women connect, encourage and support each other, real change is born. By exchanging experience, lessons learnt and similar stories, they were building solidarity and giving new ideas. This is only the beginning of a stronger, connected and loud women’s network.

“Active Women” project is implemented by the humanitarian association “Mother” from Kumanovo, in partnership with the Regional Centre for Sustainable Development from Kratovo, RCS “Spectre” from Kriva Palanka and the Foundation for Small and Medium Enterprise Development from Kumanovo. The project is supported by the Swiss Government via Civica Mobilitas programme, implemented by MCIC.