Gender Gap Analysis in Education, Employment and Social Policy in North Macedonia

After nearly two decades, North Macedonia has reached a significant milestone in its cooperation with the European Union (EU). The country’s path to EU integration began with the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) in 2004, followed by candidate status in 2005. Despite prolonged political challenges, North Macedonia demonstrated commitment to regional stability through key agreements, including the Treaty of Friendship with Bulgaria (2017) and the Prespa Agreement (2018), leading to the official opening of EU accession negotiations in 2022. A crucial step in this process was the adoption of the National Programme for Adoption of the EU Acquis (NPAA) 2021-2025, a strategic document guiding legislative harmonization and institutional reforms. Additionally, the establishment of the Sector Working Group for Education, Employment, and Social Policy in 2015 strengthened interministerial coordination for aligning national policies with EU standards. North Macedonia has made notable progress in gender equality, aligning with international commitments and national policy frameworks. Institutional capacity development has been a key achievement, yet challenges persist in policy implementation and legislative enforcement. Strengthening institutional cooperation among government bodies, civil society, and independent institutions is essential to ensure gender mainstreaming in policymaking and budgeting. This publication provides an in-depth analysis of North Macedonia’s EU integration process, highlighting achievements, ongoing challenges, and the need for enhanced institutional collaboration to advance gender equality and social policy reforms.