The document discusses the legal framework around political parties and gender equality in Moldova. It outlines several international agreements and Moldovan laws that promote gender equality and women's representation in politics. While the laws establish standards, implementation has been partial. Positive practices include appointing some women to decision-making roles in local politics, though national-level representation remains low. The document proposes amendments to laws regarding political parties to include explicit quotas and funding incentives to increase women's participation in leadership and as candidates for elected offices. Overall, it argues several pillars must be addressed to ensure greater gender balance and women's ability to enter, be elected to, and serve in political roles.

1. The Legal framework of Political parties in the Republic of Moldova: critical reflections and policy recommendations

2. Correlative approach?What do we have Legislation/Regulations Standards,practicies

3. what do we have ?Legislation/Regulations - Legal framework (international, european, national) that ensures to women and men the right and the chances to participate in politics - Party programes and statutes (political agenda, gender stuructures, quota)

4. 4 Internationaldocumentsthatstipulatethenecessityofgenderequalitypromotion TheConventionontheEliminationofallformsofDiscriminationagainstWomen, 1979 (CEDAW) (ratifiedby Moldova in1994) Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, 1995 UnitedNationsMilleniumDeclarations(Rezolution 55/2 a ofthe General Assemblyofthe UN adoptedonSeptember 8, 2000) Recommendation (2003)3 of the Committee of Ministers of the member states (Council of Europe) on balanced participation of women and men in the decision-making process in political and public life Recommendation (2007) of the Committee of Ministers of the member states (Council of Europe)

5. National legal framework Constitution of the Republic of Moldova (1994),chapter II,Fundamental Rights, Article 16 (2), Article 43-50 Electoral Code Article 11 Right to elect; Article 12 Right to be elected Law on ensuring equality of chances between women and men No. 5-XVI adopted on 09.02.2006 National Program on ensuring the gender equality for 2010-2015 (29.XII,2009), Sphere of Participation in public and political decision-making process

6. Law on ensuring equality of chances between women and men AArticle 7 Equality of chances in the electoral field, in the activity of political parties and other social-political organisations (1) Central Electoral Commission, councils and district electoral offices ensure the respect of the principle of equality between women and men in the elecotral field. (2) The political parties and other social-political organisations are obliged to contribuite to ensuring equal rights and opportunities among thier members, women and men by: a) Ensuring representation in the parties’ governing bodies of women and men; b) Ensuring representation on the candidates lists of women and men without discrimination

8. Women representation in the decision bodies on local level(evolution – involution – evolution) 1980 49,8% 1985 50,4% 1990 35% counselors 13% mayors 1996 39,2% counselors 10,3% mayors 1999 9,7% counselors 8,74% mayors 2003 10% counselors 15,4% mayors 3,1% Chiars of raion (district) executive committees 2007 17 %counselors 17,9% mayors 3,1% Chiars of raion (district) executive committees Loretta Handrabura dr. conf. univ.

9. Where it is easier for a woman to assert itself, in local or national politics? And why? (opened question) in social politics Everywhere is difficult It depends on the abilities and may compete with men at any level Where is accepted by the rulers Both At the local level it is easier: results, words and deeds are closer

10. Representation of women in the state bodies Parliament During URSS 33% - formal quota 1990 3,8% 12 out of 380 1994 4,9% 5 out of 101 1998 8,9% 9 out of 101 2001 15,9% 16 out of 101 2005 21,7% 23 out of 101 2009 23,1% 25 out of 101 Government 1980 10% 3 out of 30 1990 7% 1 out of 13 1994 0% 0 out of 20 1996 0% 0 out of 17 1999 6% 1 out of 15 2001 11% 2 out of 18 2005 13% 2 out of 15 2008 37% 6 out of 16 2009 5% 1 out of 16

11. Gender representation on the lists of candidates running for members of parliament in moldova women men

12. Gender representation on the lists of candidates running for members of parliament, 2009 electoral campaign average Greens United Moldova Party Conservative party Nation and Country Party Republican Party Christian Democrats Independents Humanist Party Communist party European Action Democratic party Our Moldova Alliance Liberal Party Social Democrats Liberal Democrats Union of Centrists Women Men

13. Gender topics ocassinally appear in the electoral platforms of political parties Early elections 2009 – it is not a priority, because the equal opportunities between men and women and the gender partnerships, emphasized in the regulations of the Women Oragnisations within the parties are still invisible and secondary for party and accordingly for state policies

14. Recovery measures Identified priority problems: a) subrepresentation of women in decision-making positions in the public and political life b) existence of structural barriers such as cultural, economic and social in the promotion of women in decision-making positions in the public and political life

16. Proposalsregulations Coherent state policy, implementation of Law on ensuring equal opportunities ... Poitical actions that would encourage women to participate in leading positions; Clear mechanisms that are functional and sustainable for implementation; Gender-sensitive budget

19. The role of media that could bring on the public agenda the validity of internal decision of political parties and the opportunity of the criteria used by the internal fora for nominating candidates for various important positions : a) the plus of the proportional system for women visibility; b)know how the candidates will be selectedPillar III – chance to be voted - It is directly dependent on the voting system and of the dominant political culture

20. Women’s participation gains in political act Promotion of a tolerat spirit at the level of attitudes and behaviour (9,5%); More active promotion of the democratic principels such as justice, equality, collaboration and cooperation, acceptance of (6,5%); Explicit intentions and actions, honesty and morality (4,0%); Persistance in actions and personal honor (3,0%); Increasing the number of participants in political life (3,0%); Ability to accept other visions without discrimination (3,0%). Loretta Handrabura dr. conf. univ.

21. «There are no specific women problems, all the problems are related to women as well, that is why they must have access to discuss all issues and questions.»