For ALL Women and Girls: Goran Spasovski on gender equality as a prerequisite for fair and quality education

#ForAllWomenAndGirls is a rallying call for action on the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Among those answering this call is Goran Spasovski, 50, from Skopje, North Macedonia. He serves as adviser for International Cooperation at the Center for the Development of Vocational Education, the national institution based in Skopje that supports and advances vocational education across the country.

For more than 13 years, Spasovski has been engaged in European and regional processes, international projects, and collaborations, building extensive expertise in vocational education and training reform, skills development, and cross-border cooperation. His mission: aligning national systems with European standards while keeping young people’s education needs at the center.

To strengthen this mission, Goran Spasovski joined a training for trainers on integrating gender perspectives in state institutions, organized by UN Women and supported by Sweden through the Gender Responsive Governance programme. Today, he champions an education system free of gender stereotypes, where both young women and young men can thrive and freely choose their career path.

What has always mattered most to him is how our policies and programmes affect young people, their choices, their future, and the opportunities they have ahead. He believes the vocational education and training system must remain dynamic, adapting not only to economic and social changes but also to the evolving needs of students.

“For me, the most important thing is creating conditions where girls and boys receive equal support to choose the path they truly want,” he says.

The training reshaped his perspective. “I wanted to strengthen my knowledge and apply it directly in my work. This training pushed me to critically reassess existing practices. I realized that so-called “gender-neutral” approaches often maintain inequality. Textbooks, teaching practices, and even the way we talk to students can unconsciously discourage girls from entering technical fields or boys from pursuing qualifications considered “feminine.” Understanding this made me more determined to promote gender-sensitive programmes and policies,” Spasovski reflects.

“Creativity has no gender”

As President of the Commission for Textiles, Leather, and Similar Products, Spasovski actively challenges gender stereotypes. Too often, textiles are labeled a “female” profession. He strongly disagrees. “Men’s and women’s names in fashion stand side by side. Creativity has no gender – it is a human trait. I share this conviction with my colleagues because I believe every student deserves to be supported in their choices.”

For Spasovski, the challenges to advancing gender equality in education are clear: many institutions lack the knowledge, capacities, standards, and tools. Yet he remains optimistic: “With training, gender-sensitive curricula, and open dialogue, we can build systems that don’t just recognize differences but actively work to overcome them.”

“Gender equality is not an additional task”

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action reminds us to put adolescent girls and youth at the heart of our efforts, as this is the best way to guarantee success, both today and tomorrow. Spasovski lives this principle through his work in gender-sensitive education. For him, equality is not an additional task, but a prerequisite for fair and quality education. “If we want true inclusion, we must make sure that every child has equal opportunities, without stereotypes, without barriers,” he says. 

Looking ahead, his vision is clear: that gender perspectives will no longer be seen as an add-on, but as a natural part of every educational and institutional policy. “I want to see schools free of stereotypes, where both girls and boys have equal chances to grow and contribute.”

And he is equally clear about the role men must play. “We must be allies, supporters, and examples of how a fair society is built. My personal and professional responsibility is to open doors, build trust, and help create institutions where everyone – regardless of gender – feels accepted, valued, and supported.”