Turning Data into Action: North Macedonia Celebrates 25 Years of Gender Statistics

Skopje, North Macedonia – 3 June 2025 – Today, representatives from government, international organizations, civil society, and academia came together in Skopje to mark 25 years of progress in gender data. The event, titled “25 Years of Gender Data: Progress, Challenges, and the Future,” was organized by UN Women and the State Statistical Office (SSO) of North Macedonia, with support from the Government of Sweden.

The event opened with remarks by President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, the Ambassador of Sweden Ami Larsson Jain, the Director of the State Statistical Office, Dejan Stankov, and the Head of UN Women Office in North Macedonia, Vesna Ivanovikj-Castarede.

A highlight of the day was the launch of the latest edition of “Women and Men in North Macedonia”, a key publication that offers gender-disaggregated data in areas such as education, health, employment, and decision-making. Since its first release in 2002, this report has become a valuable tool for tracking gender equality in the country.

Over the years, the collaboration between UN Women and the State Statistical Office, supported by the Swedish Embassy in Skopje, has grown into a strong and strategic partnership. From the launch of the Gender Data Platform to the development of the Country Gender Equality Profile, the partnership has improved the availability, quality, and use of gender statistics across sectors. Study visits, training programmes, and youth-focused initiatives like the Gender Data Bootcamp have helped strengthen capacities and engage new voices in the gender equality movement.

Panel discussions during the event brought together experts from North Macedonia and abroad to share lessons learned and explore ways to improve data use for evidence-based policy. Participants also discussed how to close key data gaps—especially in unpaid care work, gender-based violence, and the gender pay gap—as the country moves closer to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and aligns with EU standards.

In her address, President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova said: “Let us continue to invest in gender statistics, strengthen inter-institutional dialogue, and build a data system that not only informs, but also transforms. Let us create a country where we are all aware that every piece of data reflects someone’s life, every number tells an individual, true human story, and the effort of every person — regardless of sex or gender — should be equally valued, and every voice heard, whether loud or quiet.”

Swedish Ambassador to the country Ami Larsson Jain expressed her satisfaction in seeing the progress North Macedonia is making in the field of statistics, particularly gender statistics, and emphasized Sweden’s proud role in supporting this advancement through the exchange of expertise and experience.

“Gender statistics are key to identifying the differences in the lived experiences of women and men. Without this kind of data we may end up devising policies that suit only half the population. Or worse; with insufficient knowledge of the reality of the citizens, policy choices may even counteract the objectives they set out to achieve. So, gender statistics are necessary in order to measure and monitor the realities of lives of women and men, and of girls and boys, and to accurately identify and adequately respond to their needs and priorities. Statistics are facts, not feelings. And while statistics describe the past, they also explain the present and lay a foundation for the future. Gender statistics play a fundamental role in mobilizing, focusing, and monitoring efforts to achieve gender equality, in line with North Macedonia’s ambition to join the European Union,” Ambassador Larsson Jain said.

State Statistical Office Director Dejan Stankov emphasized that the next phase of work will focus on advancing gender statistics in line with national laws and policies. “We will work closely with our partners to promote gender indicators, strengthen staff capacities, and ensure gender is integrated across all statistical reports. These 25 years are highly significant because they reflect the country’s vision of equality on all grounds — for both women and men,” he said.

“Behind every number, there is a person. That’s why gender statistics are more than just numbers. We are working to improve all aspects of women’s lives and building partnerships based on a shared vision and goals — to make gender data not only accessible and understandable, but also for its importance to be recognized by everyone, including those who create policies and make decisions, as well as by society at large, which validates those decisions and their implementation.

Over these two days, we are celebrating two anniversaries: 80 years of the existence of the Macedonian State Statistical Office and 25 years of gender data — in the same year when we mark 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action,” said Vesna Ivanovikj-Castarede, Head of the UN Women Office in North Macedonia.

While much progress has been made, the event concluded with a shared commitment to keep strengthening gender data systems and partnerships that support the country to be more equal and inclusive for all.

About UN Women

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