Dominika Stojanoska: "How do we engage those who feel threatened or excluded by the very idea of gender equality?"

In 2025, UN Women celebrates its 15th anniversary. Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Moldova Country Representative, reflects on the progress made and the work that lays ahead.

_{Photo credit: UN Women Moldova/Stela Dontu}

15 years ago, UN Member States took a historic step in accelerating the UN’s goals on gender equality and the empowerment of women by merging four UN entities and funds^[1] to establish UN Women. I can proudly say that we have significantly contributed to the advancement of gender equality in many countries across the globe, but much work needs to be still done. This year also marks 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and we have assessed the progress made through national and regional reports. Yet, we have also seen how gender equality is facing backlash. UN Women’s latest report “Women's Rights in Review 30 Years After Beijing”, published on March 8th 2025, showed that in 2024 nearly a quarter of governments worldwide reported a backlash on women’s rights.

Misogyny has become an online trend, with violence and discrimination being promoted across social media. At the same time, young women influencers, illustrating the life of “traditional wives” who’s main purpose is to serve their husbands, have become some of the top performing influencers on platforms such as TikTok. The women’s rights movement faces new challenges, and the question that remains is how to navigate this new reality. On one hand, member states did agree this year on the Beijing+15 action agenda focusing on ensuring equal access to technology, freedom from poverty, zero violence, full and equal decision-making power, peace and security, and climate justice for all women and girls. On the other hand, we need to continue the dialogue with youth and understand the causes for the concerns on both sides, women who are scared of feminism and men who might feel left out. Together, we may overcome the persistent inequalities that we are still witnessing every day.

If we look at global statistics, we realize that we still live in an unequal world. In fact, the estimates are that it will take the world 123 years to reach gender parity, and so far, no country has achieved gender equality. Globally one in three women has experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, and the proportion of women killed in armed conflict doubled in 2024 compared to the year prior. Women remain excluded from peace processes, with only 19 per cent of signatories to peace and ceasefire agreements in 2023 being women. Women also remain excluded from politics, with only 27.2 per cent of seats in parliament being occupied by women. Finally, we see that women keep earning less than men despite doing work of equal value, with the global pay gap being estimated at 20 per cent. Women’s participation in the labor force is 61.4 per cent, which stands in stark contrast to men’s 90.6 per cent.

Advancing gender equality is not only in the interest of women. Research shows that when women gain, society gains too. Women’s increased participation in the labor market has proved to contribute to societies’ economic growth and boost GDP per capita. Women’s involvement in peace processes directly correlates with more durable and inclusive peace agreements. Women’s meaningful representation in decision making has proven to result in policies that consider the diverse needs of their citizens, fostering more inclusive governance.

Gender equality is not a zero-sum game, nor is it a threat. Investing in gender equality is an investment in a prosperous society for all. We need to make this investment now, as we cannot afford to wait another 15 years. So, how do we engage those who feel threatened or excluded by the very idea of gender equality?

Perhaps the Republic of Moldova can act as a guiding light. Since 2010, Moldova has gone from being ranked 34th on the Global Gender Gap Index to now standing at an impressive 7th place. This progress is also reflected in women’s participation in government, the labor market, and the peace and security sector. An important reason behind this progress is the political will of the government, who has worked alongside the UN in expanding the rights and opportunities of women and girls in Moldova. This achievement has also been significantly driven by the tireless advocacy of civil society and the active engagement of the private sector. Many countries that are facing backlash signal that progress must be sustained through systemic solutions encompassing the education sector and labor market - including recognizing, valuing, and distributing unpaid care work - and representation in decision-making processes. They also entail the comprehensive integration of gender equality perspectives into policy planning, budgeting, and the oversight of public funds and programs.

For the past 15 years, UN Women has stood alongside the government, civil society, and private sector in Moldova - providing technical assistance and guidance. We have worked with men and boys, both in efforts to dismantle harmful masculinities and to support the men who are actively working to change stereotypes in their own communities. We've listened to the experiences of women and girls from Roma communities and women with disabilities, providing support tailored to their unique needs. After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we have supported women and refugee-led organizations who foster social cohesion, provide support services and foster income opportunities. We work with the religious community, actively engaging priests in changing norms and preventing violence against women. Simply put, for the past 15 years, we have worked with society for society.

Investing in gender equality is investing in a prosperous society for all. To truly make this investment and overcome the pervasive backlash we're witnessing, society needs to unite for a shared cause. The Republic of Moldova offers a powerful example, demonstrating what's possible when diverse actors are engaged and commit to a common goal. This collaborative, inclusive approach is not just a way of navigating our current challenges, but also a way to ensure a society where no one is left behind. Together, we can create a society with equal rights and opportunities for all women and girls.

Dominika Stojanoska
UN Women Moldova

^[1] UN Women was created through the merging of the Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW); the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW); the Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women (OSAGI), and the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM).