9th March 2026, Skopje – Today, at the Macedonian Stock Exchange, Minister of Finance, Gordana Dimitrieska‑Kochoska, and Chief Executive Officer, Ivan Shteriev, rang the bell to mark the global “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality” initiative.
“Within the premises of Macedonian Stock Exchange, I joined the global “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality” initiative, championing gender equality and greater participation of women in business and leadership positions. The initiative reminds us that anyone with an idea, irrespective of gender, should feel empowered to turn it into reality. Funds do not consider gender, they respond to ideas, innovation, and creativity, with the Stock Exchange being one of the best platforms for turning those ideas into reality. I encourage all individuals to develop their ideas, and particularly women to continue demonstrating the courage they already show in so many social spheres. It is this very courage that fuels the world’s progress. Statistical data indicate that women make up the majority of the financial sector workforce, underscoring how their expertise, commitment, and strong will significantly strengthen the respective sector,” Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska, Minister of Finance, stated.
On this occasion, the Macedonian Stock Exchange CEO, Ivan Shteriev stated: “This year’s motto of the global initiative carries a powerful message, reminding us that true progress toward gender equality goes beyond mere words, it rather requires concrete steps to ensure equal opportunities and equitable representation of women across all areas of society, including the corporate sector. As an institution linking the business community with the broader public and investors, the Macedonian Stock Exchange has for many years promoted modern standards of corporate governance, transparency, and inclusiveness. For this reason, we consistently take part in this progressive global initiative, guided by the firm belief that increasing women’s presence in company management structures is a vital prerequisite for more sustainable economic development and a more dynamic business ecosystem.”
This year marks the 12th campaign of the global “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality” initiative, carried out through a partnership involving the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), the Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) Initiative, which includes the Macedonian Stock Exchange as a member, the UN Global Compact, UN Women, and Women in ETFs, all united in promoting gender equality across capital markets. The motto of this 2026 initiative is “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.”, which, on the occasion of the International Women’s Day, calls for accelerated action to remove structural barriers to gender equality. The initiative, supported by over 110 stock exchanges globally, seeks to raise both awareness of gender equality in the private sector and issues related to the economy, finance, and sustainable development.
