Women organization Radika

Women empowerment in the Reka Region

The women organization "Radika" from Skopje is a nongovernmental, unprofitable civil society organization for promotion and realization of human and civic rights and gender equality. The organization's office is located in Skopje, and it has a network of 18 branches in Rostuse, Bituse, Velebrdo, Mogorce, Skudrinje, Prisojnica, Trebiste, Jance, Zirovnica, Adzievci, Gorno Kosovrasti, Dolno Kosovrasti, Dzepiste, Otisani, Labunista, Oktisi, Cvetovo and Dolno Kolicani, in all settlements in the Reka region and wider with 980 women from different nationalities, mostly Macedonian Muslims.

The women organization "Radika" is the only women organization active in that region. Its main goal is complete empowerment of women in the region by raising the awareness for self-esteem and respect of women within the family and the environment she lives in. WO "Radika" fights against any kind of violence, strives for continuing the education of female children, improving the women's economic position and their involvement in the in the development and the activities of the local government and the overall social development in the country.

The women organization "Radika" has implemented a number of important projects among which "Family planning", "Education of female voters", Initiatives for better life (including the women from Reka region in the activities and the development of the local government units)", "Recognizing the human trafficking".

This year, WO "Radika" has initiated cooperation with the civil society organization "Aid to Artisans" (ATA) that deals with stimulating the production of handiworks and providing placement of the products.

In Otisani and Dzepiste, "Radika" organized exhibitions of hand-made products, made by the women from these two villages. This project is one of the most important ones for WO "Radika" since it heps to improve the bad economic condition of these women, most of whom have low level of education.

At the moment, "Radika" is realizing the project "Respect me and believe in me (Education for women rights in the Reka region)" supported by the Swiss Embassy and FIOOM Skopje. Within the project, the organization has organized several tribunes and workshops in Rostuse, Zirovnica, Dolno and Gorno Kosovrasti, Mogorce, Otisani and Dzepiste where several issues regarding the women rights were presented. This education will take place in all 18 villages in the region of Radika and Debar where WO "Radika" has branches. .

In May 2004 started the realization of the project "Fight against human trafficking as a well-organized crime", supported by OSCE. This project is a continuation of the activities realized in the previous project called "Education for recognizing the human trafficking as organized crime". In a joint cooperation with all subjects covered by the programme, meetings, tribunes, etc will take place with the young population in all settlements on "Recognizing the human trafficking as organized crime".

The women organization "Radika" is located in 39 Vasil Gjorgov Street, barr.4 in Skopje, and you can contact them on 02/332-0667, or on the e-mail address: ozradika@sonet.com.mk. The President of the organization is Aziza Asanoska.

 

D.M.