The President of the Republic of Macedonia and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of the International Women’s Day - March 8th, organized a reception for women employed in the Army of the Republic of Macedonia - professional soldiers, non-commissioned officers, officers and civilians serving in the Army of the Republic of Macedonia and the Ministry of Defence.

Congratulating them the holiday, President Ivanov reminded that throughout Macedonia’s history there are great women fighters, and that current women soldiers have the same values but in different circumstances.

”This day is to remember that we in our history have had many women heroes, many women fighters, thus, you consistently continue the tradition that starts with Sirma Vojvoda, Mirka Ginova, Ibe Palikukja, Elpida Karamanli, women who gave their lives for Macedonia. Therefore, I hope you will find way, as women, part of the armed forces, dealing with one of the male professions, to celebrate those fighters, the women who gave their lives”, President Ivanov told the female members of the Army.

This morning, President Ivanov, via video link, contacted the female members of the Army serving in peacekeeping missions - ISAF in Kabul, Afghanistan, and Althea in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, who, likewise those in Macedonia, provide their contribution for the state.

“I am especially proud to be the Supreme Commander of an army that includes a significant number of female troops that partake in the most dangerous missions and tasks with their male peers. The Macedonian army is the pillar of our independence and sovereignty and you - the women in the army - are an additional guarantee for the successfulness of its mission”, President Ivanov stated.

I would like to congratulate you, the President said, on all successes you have achieved in life, for to be a soldier, to be an officer or to be responsible in a male profession is something that is respectable.

Thanking the President for his sincere wishes, the female members of the Army said that this idea and the contact with the President on the occasion of March 8th for them was a pleasant surprise and great honor. They congratulated all their female colleagues who work in the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, and to their families, to their mothers, grandmothers and sisters.

There are a total of 170 members of the Army in the ISAF mission, including four women - professional soldiers. The mission lasts six months, from January 2012 to July 2012. There are 11 members of the Army in the EU mission ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina, seven of them are women - members of the medical team. The mission lasts six months from November 2011 to May 2012.