Global Gender Gap Index 2014: 25th

Moldova is a small country with population around 3.5 million inhabitants (without Transnistria), where women make up about 51%. According Gender Gap Index Moldova is ranked 25th in the results for 2014 (it was 52nd in 2013 and 34th in 2010) improving its position because the country has promoted the rights of women and policies as one of the highest percentage of women employed in non-agricultural sector. However, women earn on average 12.9% less than men. The remuneration of women is lower than that of men in most of the economic activities. Gender pay gap in agriculture, forestry and fishing is 9.5%, industry 18.4%. In the field of education, where about three quarters of all teachers are women, the wage gap between women and men is 8.9%. Men have higher percentages among leaders of all levels. In leadership at all levels 56% are men and 44% are women. For example the State University State senate of 99 members, 46 are women, which is 46%, but at higher levels of the country leading women’s participation rate are lower. Women exceed men among retired. From the total of pensioners registered with social security bodies 66% are women.

Overall situation of women in science

In research we have the following situation: only 67 of 403 habilitated doctors are women; 654 women hold a Ph.D. in science, and 707 men. In the field of Education in Moldova women make up about 80%. Unfortunately in recent years in Moldova there is an increase of population migration, especially among youth. This is due to the political situation and especially the country’s economic: low wages, low employment opportunities. Of course, interest in research and education, where there is the lowest wages is declining. For example, in 2013 the faculties of the State University of Moldova (the largest institution of higher education in Moldova) have not filled available places in mathematics etc. In these circumstances it is quite difficult to promote science and research.

EWM activities and membership

Since 2006, the local coordinator has attended all EWM meetings: Cambridge, 2007, Novi Sad, 2009, ICWM Hyderabad India 2010 and ICM Hyderabad, Barcelona 2011, Bonn 2013. The results of these meetings have been shared with the Moldovan women mathematicians interested in the work of EWM. The work of the coordinator is focused on the issue of women mathematicians Moldovan information about EWM, main events, summer school, organized opportunities for participation, scientific meetings, the experience of organizing the research work of women in other countries, etc.

At least once a month EWM members meet at the State University of Moldova and discuss the various scientific, research issues, opportunities to participate on various international meetings. In 2012, Mrs. Galina Rusu member of EWM participated to the satellite EWM activities and attended the 6 th European Congress of Mathematics in Krakow, Poland, on July 2-7, 2012. In February 25, 2015 Maria Capcelea, a member of EWM obtained her PhD thesis, and became Doctorate in Sciences. I consider the activity of EWM a beneficial one, especially for the moral and spiritual sustainment of mathematician women. Of course it would be also useful if it could somehow encourage the financial sustaining, at least for participating at some absolutely necessary conferences for research or it could put at disposal journals, books, and other materials of free registering. For this target, may be it would be possible to initiate some common research projects with financing from European Funds. In this manner, the fame of EWM would grow, but also the interest towards it, becoming in a good measure as a savior for many women who have choose between family and research.

Currently EWM has eleven members from Moldova (3 of them only are registered on our website).