Skopje - Today USAID celebrated the 101st International Women’s Day by honoring the contribution of women project implementers and partners who have helped support USAID’s activities for economic growth, democratic modernization and educational reform in Macedonia.

“While USAID strives to help all people regardless of gender, religion, or ethnicity, we are particularly proud of the work we have done with women,” said USAID Mission Director, Robert Wuertz.  “For fifty years, USAID has been helping women with their quest to overcome the barriers that limit their ability to achieve equality, justice, and development.  The women we are honoring today stand out not only for their commitment to promoting USAID’s goals but also because they serve as strong role models, inspiring  Macedonia’s next generation of young women.”

The following women were honored in USAID’s three programmatic areas:

Economic Growth:

• Biljana Damevska, Micro and Small Enterprises Project
• Gordana Toseva, Investment Development and Export Advancement Support Project
• Mirjana Makedonska, Competitiveness Project
• Natasha Lazovska, AgBiz Project
• Rozita Talevska Hristovska, Business Start-Up Center in Bitola
• Suzana Trajkovksa Kocankovska , Business Incubator in the Business Start-Up Center
• Violeta Keckarovska, Ministry of Economy
• Sanela Skrijelj, Plastic Recycling Project

Democracy and Governance:

• Antoaneta Dimovska, Civil Court Judge
• Biljana Bejkova, Project for Transparent Governance
• Cvetanka Ivanova, Member of Parliament
• Flora Kadriu, Member of Parliament
• Meri Mladenovska Gjorgjievska, Attorney at Law
• Silvana Boneva, Member of Parliament

Education:

• Ana Piskacheva, Primary Education Project
• Elena Micevska, Habitat for Humanity Macedonia
• Liri Starova, Engineer, Primary Education Project
• Loretta Georgieva,  Macedonian Civic Education Center
• Spomenka Lazarevska,  Roma Education Project
• Zhaklina Durmish, Director of the Roma Education Center
• Valbona Morina-Maksut, Human and Institutional Development Program

NOTE TO EDITORS:
  
On March 1st, USAID launched its new Gender Policy on Gender Equality and Female Empowerment. The new policy aims to improve the lives of people and communities around the world by empowering women and girls to participate fully in and benefit from the development of their societies. The policy is part of USAID's broader reform agenda which includes rebuilding the Agency's policy capacity and establishing the Bureau for Policy, Planning and Learning to make strategic policy choices that are informed by cutting-edge evidence and analysis.

The American people, through USAID, have invested over $500 million in Macedonia since 1993.  USAID is working with the people of Macedonia to create jobs, strengthen democratic institutions and practices, enhance integrated education, and prepare students for the workforce. These initiatives improve the quality of life and support Macedonia’s transition to a stable and prosperous democracy.  USAID provides economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 100 countries.  For more information please visit http://macedonia.usaid.gov.