Rural women in North Macedonia face systemic inequality and land ownership barriers

A panel discussion held at Europe House Strumica addressed the systemic challenges and invisible labor of rural women in North Macedonia. While over 38,000 women are registered as farmers in the country, many lack equal access to financial security, maternity leave, healthcare, and social protection.

The event was part of the ‘Wear the Change’ campaign, organized by the European Union Delegation and EU member state embassies under the ‘Team Europe’ initiative. Participants discussed institutional barriers and social prejudices that limit women's rights in rural areas.

A significant issue highlighted was land ownership. In 2021, only 4.1 percent of women in rural areas were recorded as property owners, compared to a national average of 12 percent for women. The discussion also noted that despite legal inheritance rights, traditional practices often lead women to waive their shares in favor of male relatives.