Minister Jevšek on women leadership in Southeast Europe: Gender equality is a matter of social justice
Minister Jevšek at the Regional policy dialogue on good governance and women leadership in Southeast Europe | Author Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development
The Minister said that Slovenia has made great progress in empowering women, with many holding important positions. For example, in 2022, Slovenia elected its first female President of the Republic. The President of the National Assembly is a woman, as is the State Prosecutor General of Slovenia. The Commissioner for Enlargement, a position held by a woman from Slovenia, is another example of female leadership in key roles. However, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles in larger companies, also said Minister Jevšek.
According to Minister Jevšek, achieving gender balance in leadership roles improves governance and leads to more comprehensive solutions to address the challenges organisations and societies face. That is why gender equality is not only a matter of treating men and women equally. It is also a fundamental driver of economic growth and social stability: “Strong support for gender equality and women’s leadership in key positions is the only way to overcome systemic barriers that hinder the development of a more inclusive leadership culture. Recognising and ensuring equal opportunities for men and women in leadership positions is fundamental to good governance and informed decision-making in leading roles in society. It is a matter of social justice, without which there can be no progress.”
Slovenia tackles gender inequality through gender mainstreaming by integrating a gender perspective into the preparation, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies, said Minister Jevšek.
As the Minister responsible for cohesion and regional development, Jevšek highlighted Slovenia’s achievements in promoting women’s empowerment, especially through the support of Cohesion Policy and the EEA (European Economic Area) and Norway Grants:
- In the 2014-2020 period, the European Social Fund supported the involvement of more than 160,000 women in lifelong learning programmes and employment measures. More than 28,000 women gained new qualifications, and over 22,000 found employment through employer incentives and social activation measures.
- In the 2021-2027 period, the European Regional Development Fund supports measures for women entrepreneurs, including the operation offering support to young women and men starting their own businesses.
- In the 2014-2021 period, the EEA and Norway Grants supported 1,200 women in acquiring entrepreneurial skills to start and develop their own businesses. 6,000 women participated in education and training programmes to improve their employability.
“It is crucial that we continue to support projects and regional initiatives that bring together public institutions. Such collaborations are vital for breaking down systemic barriers, eliminating gender inequality, and enhancing women’s leadership roles. Slovenia remains committed to development and inclusive policies that promote good governance, strengthen cooperation and partnership, and promote gender equality across all levels and in all sectors,” concluded Minister Jevšek.