On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the Minister of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources, Sanja Bozhinovska, held a meeting with young girls from North Macedonia who are building careers in the fields of science, engineering, and technology. The meeting was attended by recipients of the Engineering Ring, as well as girls who are part of the Global Engineer Girls program by the Limak Group.
These young women, who have already ventured into engineering and scientific activities, shared their experiences, challenges, and successes, emphasizing the importance of support and the opportunity to participate in STEM fields. The meeting was filled with inspirational stories, ideas, and shared goals to promote these critical areas among young women in North Macedonia.
Minister Bozhinovska emphasized that supporting the increase in the number of girls and young women, especially in engineering and the energy and mining sectors, is one of the ministry’s top priorities. She encouraged the participants to continue working hard and to believe in their abilities, highlighting that women play a significant role in the country’s economic and social progress.
“North Macedonia is one of the few countries where the number of women researchers exceeds 50% of the total number of researchers, which is a sign of the immense potential we have. However, this does not mean we should stop – on the contrary, even greater support is needed for girls and young women to be encouraged to follow their interests in science, engineering, and energy,” stated Minister Bozhinovska.
The meeting also discussed future initiatives aimed at encouraging young women to engage in STEM fields. Among these are mentoring programs and internships in state institutions and companies such as ESM, MEPSO, MEMO – the Macedonian Power Exchange, and the mining sector. These programs aim to provide young women with real-world experience and support for their professional development.
The participants emphasized the importance of greater visibility for successful women in science and engineering, as well as the need for joint initiatives to popularize these professions among young girls. They expressed their willingness to collaborate with the Ministry in promoting STEM professions to ensure that more young engineers and scientists contribute to the development of North Macedonia in the future.
“Women in science and engineering are not the exception, but the rule, which must be supported and advanced. Gender is not decisive for success – quality, hard work, and dedication are the key factors. It is our responsibility to provide all the opportunities they deserve,” emphasized Minister Bozhinovska.
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science, adopted by the United Nations in 2015, aims to highlight the significance of gender equality in STEM professions. This day serves as a reminder that the world must not be deprived of the potential, intelligence, and creativity of women, who often face inequalities and prejudices.
The Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources remains committed to advancing gender equality and will actively work on creating conditions to increase the number of women in energy, engineering, and science.
Respectfully,
Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources
