Equalpower June 2019 8 issue English Izida Vita Institute

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EQUALPOWER • 2019 / ISSUE 8 •

eMagazine for equality and diversity

MACEDONIA, SLOVENIA, EUROPE


EQUALPOWER CHIEF-EDITOR EXECUTIVE EDITOR EDITORS

mag. Natalie Cvikl Postružnik Lejla Saban, Monika Aksentievska Nina Klančnik, Martina Špiljak Danaja Postružnik

DESIGN

Gorazd Postružnik

eMagazine is part of the activities and tools, conducted within the project Equal Power to the Women by Izida Vita, Slovenia in cooperation with Institute of Communication Studies, Macedonia en.izidavita.si, gorazd@izidavita.si Cover photo: Gaja Postružnik, Insights d.o.o. Slovenia Project Equal Power to the Women is partially financed by the Ministry of foreign affairs of Republic of Slovenia Disclaimer: The content of the eMagazine represents the opinions of the authors and is not the official position of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia


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PERSONAL VIEW MIRNA RADOŠEVIĆ:

YOU NEED TO FOLLOW YOUR SOUL

Mirna Radošević

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INFOGRAPHICS ON GENDER INEQUALITY, MACEDONIA

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GIRL EFFECT

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WORLDWIDE FACTS ABOUT GENDER INEQUALITY

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SUCCESS STORY

Svetlana Pešovska

SVETLANA PESHOVSKA: A BRIGHTLY COLOURED FANTASY CREATED THE SHOE BRAND "BELMONDO"

Youth and NGO training

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BLOGS

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EDUCATION FOR YOUTH AND NGO

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INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE WITH GOOD CASES


YOU NEED TO FOLLOW YOUR SOUL Mirna Radošević

NA L

SO PE R VIEW

Mirna Radošević is the CEO of Salveo for Central and Eastern Europe. She is in love with personal and organizational development. In 2007, the company was founded with only a few members of the team. Now it is an organization that operates in eight markets and has 100 employees. But she is our inspiration not (only) due to her exceptional business path; she inspires us with her personal story. Photos: personal archive Who is Mirna? This is a question I often like to post to myself. For years I have come to realize that the answer to the same question is changing throughout my maturity and personal development. Ten years ago I would be described as the mother of two beautiful girls and a successful business woman, and today I am aware that these are just some of my roles in this life where I experience being mother, business woman, friend, partner ... EQUALPOWER

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Today I would say, I can be seen as one who is aware of her experience of life, aware of her roles and who is increasingly living life to give her the best of every day. I'm also relieving my fears. I was afraid of a moment of death and transience, and then I was thinking a lot about them so I can not remember what I'm scared today. There are times of fear, but when faced with them, I have a bit of a conversation with them courageously and they simply pass. I'm increasingly optimistic about life. And what I like most is life itself. Rebellion perfectionist How were you as a child, a teenager, and how are you as a business woman? As a child I was a very shy and withdrawn girl. Mom tells me I was crying a lot. I remember that I already had my rich inner world and I loved spending a lot of time in it. For years I have become more open to people and to the world. But somehow I always stayed introverted and extroverted at the same time. And as a teenager I curiously discovered all the charms of dating, socializing ... but it was always important to spend time alone with myself as well.

Already in early teenage years I started to write daily. It was a diary in which I discussed in detail to God all my deepest experiences, insights and reflections. I remember how these moments were precious and that remained important in my life to this day. I've always been an excellent student. Although somewhat rebellious and curious on the one hand, on the other, always "perfectionist" when it comes to everyday obligations. I have always demanded the very most of myself. These habits are only being solved now ... hahahahaha and I slowly realize that it brings me more harm than good. And Mirna as a business woman ... hm, let me think .... Today my view at what I do has completely changed. Today, I feel like I'm at the service of a wonderful team of people I work with and work together for a large amount of time. We are together successful and dream of an organization where everyone feels free, in which everyone's opinion is important, in which we all contribute to the development of our business, and we do not forget to live.


We are slowly building on such a culture and striving to achieve results, contribute to the community and enjoy it. As a business woman, I am committed to work, disciplined, demanding, ethical and I could say open to new, curious.

I am resolving my limiting life patterns What defines you most in life? One of my favorite sayings is by Alan Watts "To define it to limit". And when you ask me what defines me, I'm sure of a lot of my parents, friends, work I'm doing ...... I'm aware of how much this definition often limits me to be authentic. I try to rid myself of everything that defines me and living myself as I am originally, regardless of all the roles I am currently living in. I love to love myself in my original beauty without limitations conditioned by my life roles, achievements and experiences. It is a real freedom and there is a real joy of living. Why are you today who and what you are? All my life experiences, may be

beautiful or challenging, left a mark on me. The past has played its own. And releasing this past of the repetition of the same life patterns is not easy. I have a lot of courage and discipline, I spend a lot of time in meditation and in the silence; these brought me to myself or to what I am today. Unwrapping the gift of my diagnosis benign tumor Where did you find the strength to cure your diagnosis? Who supported you? What has changed since then? Whenever I talk about my diagnosis I say it is in my physical body. So I feel somehow. When I was diagnosed at the end of 2016 with a benign cranial tumor that was difficult to operate because it was in the area where all the vital nerves passed through, I knew that this diagnosis was sent to me to change my life and to start loving and respect yourself. Along with this insight came the inner power. It is an inner divine power. By getting the diagnosis, the divine part - that we all carry in our heart, in the depths of our being – woke up in me again. In such

situations I like to look within me and say either "thank you" or "ok, I understand, let's go together". As much as I was afraid of the outcomes of the surgery and not to stay asleep because the risk for it was extremely high, in the depths of my being I knew that everything would be the way it should be and that the tumor was given as a gift. A gift that when I retreated, I began to relax my new life. A large number of people supported me in overcoming this time. Firstlu, my closest people, my daughters, my brothers and their families, my friends, my ex husband, my colleagues, my business partners .... and a large number of acquaintances. Support came from all sides. I felt as if the whole world was with me and we would succeed together. As I was preparing for surgery in Germany, I had the feeling that my life would change automatically after surgery. The tumor I experienced was old me, like an old program that | Â 05

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needs to be deleted. I remember one morning one month and a half after the surgery when I came home, I woke up and felt that everything was the same within me and that the change did not happen automatically. Then I gathered new strength and decided that I would be devoted, disciplined and courageous to walk the path of opening my heart. That morning I promised myself that I would listen to my soul every day until I learned to listen completely. Opening my hearth and following my soul What is soul to you? It feels warm in my heart when the word soul is mentioned. But it is also warm when the word body is mentioned. Because we often forget how important our body is. The body is our temple. The temple that protects us, who keeps us safe, who is always there for us. And the temple should be cleaned and maintained regularly. Our soul lives in the temple. Soul is the true part of us, the original part of us, pure unconditional love. There is no definition here. It is important to learn to listen to yourself, to hear what we are really looking forward to, to act according to who we are, to love just what we are. Such a journey is a matter of decision. Decisions start with love and truth.

I love the saying that we are not human beings having a spiritual experience, but spiritual beings who have a human experience. Our Soul is like unconditional love and that immortal aspect to us. Our Immortal imprint in the universe that connects us with the divine. What is the most important lesson in your life? There have been a lot of lessons in my life but my diagnosis and the path I've been walking on since then and

on which I am still, is my most important lesson. This lesson is called Living. To live authentically, to live the self regardless of the environment, and to follow the wisdom of your soul. If you follow your soul, the balance happens by itself What caused the greatest pain and greatest joy? My biggest pain so far is my mother's illness. In 2007, my mother was diagnosed with a severe bipolar disorder and this event marked our entire family. Wearing this difficult psychological state is not that easy, especially when it comes to a close family member. But like every difficult and painful situation, this made me wiser, taught me patience and faced me with my many fears that I slowly grew out on them.

And my greatest joy. There is so much joy. I do not know where to start: nature, forests, my children, writing, meditation, deep conversations, synchronicities, mystical experiences .... How do you balance your private and business life? Stop looking for balance. Choose the job you love, give the best of you, wherever you are. I think it is most important to listen to yourself and follow. When we listen to ourselves, the balance will happen by itself. What do you find most important in your life? To open the heart, to get rid the past and to be with all that is as it is.  What are your plans for the future? I'm not exactly a plans’ person. But I have dreams. I know what makes me happy. I'm building a little cottage near Zagreb next to the woods and I want to move there. Also there comes time when I am delighted to give and inspire others. How and in what form, life will tell, and I will open my heart and bravely follow.

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INFOGRAPHICS ON GENDER INEQUALITY

MACEDONIA

Authors: Daniel Dimitrieski, Vladimir Delov, Equal Power, ICS program »Integrated marketing communication« under the supervision of senior lecturer Natalie Cvikl Postružnik | 07

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E X P L O R E

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B A R C E L O N A

E D I T I O N

Girl Effect Girl Effect was created in 2004 by the Nike Foundation. Today they are experts in media, mobile, brand and international development, an independent creative non-profit working from nine global locations and active in over 50 countries. Through their work, a girl can start to express herself, value herself, and build the relationships she needs, in tangible, measurable ways. When she has the widespread belief and support of others, and when there are millions of girls like her, these changes become a new normal. Where she can seek out the things she needs – from vaccination to education and economic opportunity. They create youth brands and mobile platforms that millions of young people love and interact with, in ways that empower girls to change their lives. They focus on a girl’s whole world, along her entire journey to adulthood and create with her, so she can tell her story. Power to change: For a girl to become empowered, she needs the support of the world around her. Demand and supply: Working with partners, who supply the services girls need to be safe, healthy, educated and economically secure. Commitment to safeguarding: Girl Effect is committed to ensuring the safety and protection of all children and young people.

Več: https://www.girleffect.org/ EQUALPOWER

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Worldwide facts about gender E X P L O R E | B A R C E L O N A inequality

E D I T I O N

One in five women on U.S. college campuses have experienced sexual assault. End Rape on Campus offers resources for survivors and supporters, working to bring more cases to court and raise awareness. (AAUW) Women currently hold 24, or 4.8 percent of CEO positions at S&P 500 companies. Mentorship programs like Step Up help keep girls in school, getting them that much closer to an executive position. Learn how you can play a part. (Catalyst) More than 43 million people around the world are forcibly displaced as a result of conflict and persecution. Half of all refugees are women. Zainab Salbi founded Women for Women International to help women in war-torn countries build their own futures. (UN) Less than 30 percent of the world's researchers are women. Google has a program to inspire the next generation of tech innovators. Learn how to help girls gain exposure to careers in science and technology. (UNESCO) One in three women worldwide have experienced either intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. Amnesty International pushes for laws that recognize this statistic, and its website has a list of ways to get involved in the change. (WHO)

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Извор: Forbes

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A BRIGHTLY COLOURED FANTASY CREATED THE SHOE BRAND "BELMONDO" SVETLANA DESIGNER

AND

OWNER

OF

PESHOVSKA,

THE

"BELMONDO"

SHOE

COMPANY

ESS C C SU RY STO

THE DESIRE TO HAVE SHOES THAT STAND OUT FROM ALL OTHERS TURNED INTO A LIFELONG PROFESSION FOR SVETLANA PESHOVSKA DESIGNER AND OWNER OF THE SHOE COMPANY "BELMONODO". BACK IN 2004, SHE PRESENTED HER IDEAS FOR THE FIRST TIME, TO AN ITALIAN COMPANY. THEY LIKED THE IDEA AND SHE STARTED WORKING WITH THEM.

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Her innovations have become popular in the footwear market in Italy and in other European countries. The success of the company brought about a new idea - for her to open her own shoe factory. In 2011, Peshovska opened her company, thus a new brand – “Belmondo” was introduced to the shoe market. The start was rough, but today "Belmondo" is a profitable business and due to its originality and quality, it is a brand that also conquered the markets in neighbouring countries. The company has 40 employees, and the unique shoes can be found in four stores. Apart from being the chief designer, Peshovska is also responsible for managing the company. For her, this is a big task and it would be vain and selfish to say that she does it all on her own. Cooperation and trust among the employees is very important for Peshovska.

"Since I am the declared shoes aficionado, it is left to me to create the models, to decide which models will be made in what season, to choose the leather, the print and to make the choice of combinations. Certainly, as a team player, any criticism or advice from the team of "Belmondo" is discussed and we decide together ", Peshovska emphasized smilingly. Dedication, professionalism and social responsibility are the reason for the positive image of a company that sets it apart from the competition. "It all depends on how you perceive your competition. The struggle on the market is an inevitable factor for every business. I think that rivalry should not be feared, because the market should always be innovative and offer a strategic product that is currently in demand on the market. Namely, competition can be a good thing if you are able to explore companies that are similar to yours and their weaknesses, so as to use them as opportunities for you." the leading woman of this company intrepidly recounts.


When asked how they deal with problems and mistakes, Svetlana answered: "There will be errors, whether they are your own or are caused by another factor." But she sees them as an opportunity to learn and continue towards the goal, "towards success." Peshovska says that there are many women in Macedonia who are at the head of top Macedonian companies, but there are few business owners. She believes that anyone who has a good idea and a plan for

realization can succeed, be it a man or a woman. "There are good opportunities to take out a loan for a start-up business, but of course the plan, the support, the recognition of the quality of the employees is really a success that has become my reality," advises the shoe designer. It is difficult to strike a balance between work and private life. "My husband and I work together, in such a situation, a balance is really needed between your home and the business," Peshovska said.

Very often, they bring work from the factory home. But they also have two children with whom they try to spend as much time as possible. Â

Svetlana Peshovska's motto is "Silence is a source of great strength. When you’re silent, you get the opportunity to hear yourself and focus on the present. Do not forget about the power of imagination. Project successes into future results."

Author: ICS

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GA O L B

Prof. Dr.sc. Dubravka Valic Nedeljkovic Judging by the media, women in the Balkans live only on stage

In the last twenty-five years, if not longer, the media research conducted in the Balkans and on an international level points to the same phenomenon, that the media think that women are not a reliable source of information. Read more

Arancha González Helping Women Crack the “Export Code” NEW YORK – When I first met the Accrabased fashion designer Chiedza Makonnen in 2014, her sales beyond Ghana were minimal. Yet today, Makonnen’s brand, Afrodesiac Worldwide, is featured on the red carpets of Hollywood and the stages of the Essence Festival in New Orleans. Because Makonnen cracked the “export code,” her company has scaled up production, tripled its staff, and vastly expanded its media profile. Read more

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yOUTH AND NGO learned how to be more competitive on the labor market

Three workshops on developing skills for easier employment among young people were organized in Skopje, Bitola and Tetovo from April 11 until April 19. Young people had the opportunity to learn how to prepare a CV, motivation letter, how to present themselves at a job interview, how to apply for a certain position, why “soft skills” are important in communication and how to overcome gender differences in teamwork.

Claudia de Castro Caldeirinha

“This workshop came at the right time because I was planning to either work or volunteer over the summer. The knowledge and skills I gained today will be very useful to me”, says Bisera Shegmanovic, partıcıpant at one of the workshops. The workshops were organized by the Institute for Communication Studies and the Institute Izida Vita from Slovenia in cooperation with the Youth Education Forum (MOF) and the Youth Cultural Center - Bitola (YCC- Bitola) as part of the project "Equal power for women".

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Online database of good practices and tools We invite you to take a look on the samples with good practices of companies and organizations that have implemented activities to support gender equality. They describe briefly what and how they conducted the measures and activities and what were the effects. If you wish to send us your good cases, we will publish all positive cases and tools on an online database that will be publicly available. Organizations of all kinds - companies, NGOs, professional associations, public institutions, political parties and other entities can join this initiative. In this way, we want to motivate other organizations as to what they can do to promote gender equality in business and society. Please acquire more information from lsaban@iks.edu.mk.

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Gender equality basically means that women and men should participate equally in all public and private spheres of life, have equal positions and enjoy the same rights in the development of the personal potential that they use for the development of society; and that they are entitled to the same benefits from the results achieved through that development. Balanced gender participation means that every gender should be included with at least 40 per cent. This enables the gender to influence the decision-making process and participate in the achievement of change. You can read more about how to achieve a balanced leadership in the Guidelines (Macedonian) (can be obtained on the ICS webpage).


EQUALPOWER CHIEF-EDITOR EXECUTIVE EDITOR EDITORS

mag. Natalie Cvikl Postružnik Lejla Saban, Monika Aksentievska Nina Klančnik, Martina Špiljak Danaja Postružnik

DESIGN

Gorazd Postružnik

eMagazine is part of the activities and tools, conducted within the project Equal Power to the Women by Izida Vita, Slovenia in cooperation with Institute of Communication Studies, Macedonia en.izidavita.si, gorazd@izidavita.si Cover photo: Gaja Postružnik, Insights d.o.o. Slovenia Project Equal Power to the Women is partially financed by the Ministry of foreign affairs of Republic of Slovenia Disclaimer: The content of the eMagazine represents the opinions of the authors and is not the official position of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia


eMagazine for equality and diversity MAKEDONIJA, SLOVENIJA, EVROPA


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