Discussions about gender equality are taking up more and more space in public debate in North Macedonia, especially among young people, who today have greater opportunities to express their views and experiences.
Yet beyond the discussions, it remains unclear whether the younger generations are actually managing to challenge the gender norms and stereotypes that continue to shape everyday life.
While some young people feel that society is becoming more open to equality and to equal gender roles, others stress that prejudice, traditional expectations and hidden forms of discrimination remain present — within the family as well as in public and digital spaces.
To capture the perspective of the younger generation, we spoke with several young people from North Macedonia.
Flutura Xhemaili, a student from Kumanovo, says that while gender equality is being discussed more openly, on the other hand there is a quiet regression in which patriarchy has not disappeared but has adapted to the times.
"Today it doesn't always appear in its old, direct form, but through the language of 'tradition,' 'family,' and 'morality,' and even through social media, where control over girls is often romanticized as care, while the privilege of boys is normalized as something natural. That's why I wouldn't say the younger generations are automatically more equal; they are more aware, but also more exposed to a conservative backlash," said Xhemaili.
Gentina Abdiji, a student from Tetovo, doesn't see the change that, as she puts it, is so often talked about either.
"It often looks as if we're copying models and trends that come across well in public, without turning them into concrete attitudes and actions. I think one of the main reasons change moves so slowly has to do with the upbringing we receive at home, because that is exactly where our first beliefs about the role of women and men are formed. What a child sees, hears and experiences at home is later naturally reflected in society, in relationships and in decision-making. For this reason, even though young generations look more modern today, in many cases the essence stays the same — just presented differently," says Abdiji.
Gajur Memeti, a student, says that what he notices among young people today is that the topic of gender equality is often treated simply as a kind of PR campaign.
"We've learned the right vocabulary and we know exactly what is 'politically correct' to say in public, but in practice, things haven't changed all that much. For me, equality shouldn't turn into a war between the sexes or a contest over who comes out on top. Real change comes when we start valuing people for their character, their work and their abilities, without any other filter. Our challenge as young men isn't to chase digital trends just to look modern, but to show maturity. That means respecting girls' ambitions just as we respect our own, while at the same time carrying the weight of our own responsibilities. At the end of the day, society doesn't move forward on fine words, but when we start working with one another as a team," said Memeti.
Lejla Polikualso a student, says that young people in North Macedonia today are openly challenging the traditional division of roles, both within the home and in the labor market, in an effort to secure equal rights for themselves.
"But this doesn't mean that everything has changed completely. There is still a great deal of work to be done, as social prejudice and economic inequality continue to keep women far from true equality," said Poliku.
Women no longer feel like "newcomers" in a "stranger's house"
On these issues we also spoke with sociologist and professor Ali Pajaziti.He says that today, compared with the past, the context has changed and women have more self-confidence.
"She no longer feels subordinated, like a newcomer, an outsider in 'someone else's house'; today she is employed and has her own income, which increases her independence, so her status today has improved considerably," says Pajaziti.
On the other hand, a study conducted by Ipsos and King's College London, which surveyed 23,000 people across 29 countries, revealed something troubling: young men of Generation Z are more likely than their grandfathers to believe that a woman should obey her husband. Around 31% of boys aged 13–28 supported this statement, compared with just 13% of men over 60.
The numbers are equally striking among women. Young women were more likely than their grandmothers' generation to agree with the idea of submission, at 18% compared to 6%.
