As part of the national “Wear the Change” caravan, initiated by the Delegation of the European Union, the embassies of the European Union Member States (Team Europe), and the Europe House Network, the panel discussion “The Empty Chair: Women in Politics” was held yesterday at Europe House Tetovo.

The event opened a discussion on the underrepresentation of women in political decision-making positions and the gap between legal provisions and their implementation in practice. Although electoral legislation requires that at least 40 percent of candidates on electoral lists are women, the current Government includes only three female ministers, while just four of the country’s 81 municipalities are led by women mayors.

The discussion was moderated by Andrea Ugrinoska, Executive Director of Tiiiit! Inc., and featured Member of Parliament Monika Zajkova, H.E. Özlem Canel, Ambassador of the Netherlands, and H.E. Petra Drexler, Ambassador of Germany. The panelists shared their personal and professional experiences, as well as European practices that promote greater participation of women in political life.

The discussion highlighted that quotas alone are not sufficient if women do not have genuine access to leadership positions and decision-making processes. The panelists also emphasized the importance of support from families, mentors and allies, while encouraging women to have confidence in their ability to lead.

The event attracted significant interest from the local community, with students, young people and activists actively participating in the discussion. The key message was that the “empty chair” is not the result of a lack of capable women, but rather of systemic and societal barriers that continue to limit women’s equal access to political power.

The “Wear the Change” caravan continues across several cities in North Macedonia, creating spaces for public dialogue on gender equality, civic participation and equal representation in decision-making processes.