MSc. Elena Grozdanova is a graduate with Master of Arts in Peace and Development in 2012. Her academic and professional interests focus on gender equality. Since 1994 she has worked in the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, as an adviser to the Minister. She was involved in promoting gender-inclusive policies and advancing women's rights. Elena is passionate about creating inclusive and equitable societies through policy, advocacy and community engagement. In 1998, she became Head of Gender Equality Unit, which was an important institution for promotion of gender equality in North Macedonia. In 2007, with a decision from the Minister she became a State Adviser for Equal Opportunities, and is one of the founders of the Department for Equal Opportunities and the entire institutional structure for equal opportunities and non-discrimination on central and local level. Since 2022-ongoing she is a representative in the Intergovernmental working group for gender equality in the Government of RNM - Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth. She is an expert on issues related to gender equality, non-discrimination, and gender mainstreaming as the main tool to strengthen women's rights in society. From 2001 she is a member of the National Commission for Prevention of Trafficking in Persons in the Government of North Macedonia. From 2017 Ms. Elena Grozdanova is nominated as UNFCCC Gender and Climate Change focal point. She coordinates all activities undertaken in the framework of a project supported by the UNDP, where climate change has been introduced for the first time in new national strategy for gender equality 2021-2026.
Biography as published in the conference record. 256 words.
