Equal opportunities for women and men is not just a legal requirement or an abstract ideal, it is a clear indicator of the health of a democracy, Luminita Popescu, secretary of state at the National Agency for Equal Opportunities for Women and Men (ANES), said on Thursday.
"Women represent half of the population and make essential contributions in all areas: the economy, education, research, culture, care, politics. Women do not ask for privileges, but for recognition, real opportunities and equal space to decide, to participate, to innovate. Living in a free world means being able to decide on your own life, to have access to education, work, health and well-being, whether you are a woman or a man. It means living without fear, without violence, without discrimination. But these freedoms are not guaranteed! They must be protected every day, especially in the face of extremist, misogynist and authoritarian trends that are gaining ground, including in Romania. The defence of gender equality is a defence of democracy itself," said Luminita Popescu in a message on the National Day of Equal Opportunities for Women and Men.
According to her, Romania is committed to protecting the fundamental values of democracy, freedom and equality, and in the face of the current threat, equal opportunities is no longer just an ideal, but a line of defence against democratic regression.
"As secretary of state of ANES, together with my team, I pledge to continue to strongly support efforts to build a fair society where women's voices are heard, respected and represented. We stand by the girls and women of Romania, we appreciate the support of men and boys who promote equality, we are happy for the young men and women who refuse to accept discrimination as 'normality'. We must consciously choose to live in a society in which every human being is respected, in which rights are not privileges but fundamental guarantees! On May 8, we reaffirm our commitment to a free, European and fair Romania, where every step towards gender equality is a step forward for the entire society!," said Luminita Popescu.
She emphasized that a genuine democratic society cannot exist without gender equality.
"On the National Day of Equal Opportunities for Women and Men, we honor not only a principle and a fundamental value, but a reality that we must build together, the reality of a society in which every woman and every man have the right to live with dignity, respect and equal opportunities. A genuine democratic society cannot exist without gender equality! Where women and men do not have the same rights, the same opportunities and the same access to decision-making, democracy remains incomplete," Luminita Popescu added.
The National Day of Equal Opportunities for Women and Men has been marked in Romania since 2015, through the adoption of Law No. 23, with the aim of showing our country's commitment to the fundamental values shared by the Member States of the European Union.
During this period, the National Agency for Equal Opportunities for Women and Men is carrying out several campaigns to raise awareness and sensitize on the importance of equal opportunities between women and men.
The campaign "A Day in her life" highlights the experiences of women working in the public sector in professions traditionally dominated by men. They rewrite the rules and demonstrate by example that women belong wherever they want to be. The aim of the campaign is to fight gender stereotypes and inspire the younger generation to follow their dreams without prejudice. Ability, determination and professionalism are gender-neutral. These life stories will be shared through the ANES social network sites.
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