Audit office: Women are the majority in the public sector, but not in decision-making — hate speech the biggest obstacle

Women make up the majority in North Macedonia’s public sector, but not in the positions where decisions are made, a report by the State Audit Office (DZR) shows, as the MIA news agency reports.

According to the report, in 2024 women were represented at 39.2% in Parliament and at only 15% in the Government, while of 58 leadership positions appointed by Parliament, only 16 are held by women.

The report stresses that hate speech is one of the biggest obstacles to women’s participation in senior leadership roles.

The findings are expected to spark public debate on concrete measures to increase women’s representation in decision-making, at a time when gender equality in institutions remains an open issue.