„Glasen Tekstilec“", together with partner organizations ECHO Educational and Humanitarian Organization from Shtip and Association Initiative of unemployed intellectuals from Vinica, within the framework of the project „"Through women's activism and civic initiatives to gender-inclusive and responsible municipalities"“, supported by the Government of Switzerland through Civica Mobilitas, is implementing a campaign for gender responsive budgeting at the local level.
The campaign reminds us of several key facts through a series of messages:
- The budget is not neutral., if it does not recognize the different needs of women and men, it deepens inequality;
- 59% of women do not know what a gender-responsive budget is, and more than half have never participated in public debates and do not believe that their voice will be heard;
- Women have clear priorities: better street lighting, well-maintained and safe public spaces, preventive health programs, effective social services, better conditions in education, a cleaner environment, and functional public transportation.
The research which we conducted shows that:
- In Vinica, Delchevo and Shtip, women most often request accessibility, safe infrastructure, care for the elderly, public transport and better lighting;
- Above 80% women in the villages of Delchevo and Vinica are demanding public transportation, without transportation there is no access to work, health and education;
- 80–96% of women have requests related to hygiene, communal issues are quality of life issues;
- 70–85% women are demanding better street lighting, because when there is no light - there is no safety.
The campaign calls for:
- Gender analysis of every budget;
- Public consultations with citizens;
- Clear gender indicators;
- Accountability for the spending of public funds.
These are not "women's issues", these are issues about the quality of life in the municipality. Equality starts with the budget, and gender-responsive budgeting turns women's needs into real local priorities.
The campaign is part of the project "Through women's activism and civic initiatives to gender-inclusive and responsible municipalities", implemented by Glasen Tekstilec in partnership with EHO educational-humanitarian organization from Shtip and the Association Initiative of Unemployed Intellectuals from Vinica.
The project is supported by the Government of Switzerland through Civica Mobilitas.
The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of Glasen Tekstilec, EHO Educational-Humanitarian Organization, and the Initiative of Unemployed Intellectuals, and can in no way be considered to reflect the views of the Government of Switzerland, Civica Mobilitas, or the organizations implementing it.
