Honourable Ambassador Soderberg,
Honourable Zeinah Salahi, Head of USAID,
Honourable Ms. Stocker, Head of the Swiss Development Corporation,
Honourable Deputy Prime Minister,
Honourable Members of Parliament,
Honourable mayors,
Dearly beloved girls and women and all of you here with us today,
Thank you for the invitation to one of the most important events of the year in these last 10 years, because it is always a great pleasure to be part of Women’s Week, and of course, this is the right moment to thank those who started this very event, the Group of Women Members of Parliament, who, inspired by the icon of our freedom and independence, Mrs Madeleine Albright, moved ahead towards the empowerment of women and girls and throughout this journey we constantly had the support of NDI, so thank you once again!
The National Democratic Institute, which we all know as NDI, today marks an important chapter in the history of its work and activity in the Republic of Kosovo. This is a jubilee year for one of the most important annual events in our country. It’s 10 ongoing years of Women’s Week; an event which has precious value for its unparalleled contribution to the advancement of the position of women and the promotion of gender equality in public life in the country. For the tireless work, for the unparalleled ambition and dedication, to Ambassador Soderberg, to the NDI staff, to the Group of Women MP’s and to all the others who contributed over the years, we are truly very grateful.
Honourable participants,
Diversity, equality and inclusion lie at the very foundation of a democracy that breathes the spirit of equality. Starting from these premises and working towards their implementation, we increase the likelihood of getting closer and closer to the building of a stable democracy.
But at the centre of every action is civic activism – are the citizens themselves. Hence, democracy is a result of comprehensive social engagement. If we try to break it down into smaller pieces, democracy is a set of individual actions that contribute to the construction of the collective good and which, with the proper institutional support, can be translated into the continuous promotion of democratic values, which ultimately results in the strengthening of universal democracy.
The women and men of Kosovo, our girls and boys, our citizens, following their ideals, have contributed to the history of our country and laid the foundation that has made changes possible. They have supported democracy.
Therefore, any effort to advance democracy can only be successful when the voice of the citizens is strengthened – of all of them, without distinction. Of women and men, without distinction.
Then the institutions have the task of providing support and resources but also strategic orientation, which creates the necessary infrastructure such as the institutionalization of individual acts. And this will, this commitment, exists today more than ever.
If we want a strong democracy, then we need empowered citizens. When opportunities for participation and engagement are created for citizens, the level of responsibility of institutions begins to increase more and more, transparency increases and accountability raises.
The engagement of each of you in this room brings an additional advantage to our journey toward further enlargement of democracy. Because, in reality, democracy is never a finished project. It requires constant maintenance, nurturing and strengthening.
A proper democracy is a democracy that actively contributes to the improvement and advancement of the position of women in society. A healthy democracy is a democracy that lives on the principle of gender equality.
Although our Republic is only 15 years old, our citizens have proven over the years that they understand the essential importance of women’s inclusion in institutional and public life. In 15 years of traversing, Kosovo remains the leading country in the region and beyond with two female presidents in its recent history; a parliamentary composition that goes beyond the gender quota; with a government where women are more represented and have a stronger voice than ever before; but above all, Kosovo is today the country that has an unwavering commitment to further advance gender equality in the country.
The reality is that engagement, unfortunately, is not uniform. Certain institutions work with higher intensity and some have taken this issue significantly less seriously. But, every day it is becoming more and more clear that when women lead; when women’s voices are heard; when women are involved in policy-making and decision-making; the results are concrete and progress is inevitable.
However, the successes in the capital city should not overshadow the need for increased engagement to extend equality and inclusiveness to every corner of Kosovo. We must mobilize so that we do not allow ourselves to be caught in the trap of complacency. Especially not, when women are still killed in our country. Because there is still a lot of work to be done beyond the representation of women in decision-making at the central level, starting from their empowerment at the local level, and continuing to the elimination of any injustice and inequality that they face either at home, at work, in the street or even within the digital space.
In these 10 years of Women’s Week, NDI has managed to touch the lives of many women and girls who have not had the opportunity to be part of discussions or working groups, let alone be part of decision-making. Many of them are among us today. They are leading the change, they are the change itself. I also started from the end row where you are sitting today, then in the second year I sat a little closer, in the third year closer and today I speak as the President of the Republic. In a few years, you who are sitting there at the end will be here, addressing the participants of Women’s Week in my place.
However, I cannot fail to mention the excellent work of many other local and international partners, civil society organizations in the country, but also of many policymakers in public institutions. Everyone’s work has resulted in empowerment and inclusiveness.
But we have to be extra careful and make sure that our circles expand more and more, beyond the confines of this hall. It is our obligation that the opportunities that were created for us with the support of each other, with the support of local and international organizations, are expanded in order to guarantee the same to many other girls and other women who feel isolated and still face inequality.
All it takes is giving a hand in certain cases and that moment turns into an avalanche that has the power to transform lives and entire communities. Therefore, in our mission to guarantee gender equality, there are no days off because gender equality must be a daily mission.
Honourable participants,
During these times of great uncertainty, we see ever-increasing tendencies to attack democratic values – those values on which our societies are built and which we breathe in.
But as long as we place the citizens at the centre of our engagements, the commitment to improving their lives, guaranteeing their freedoms, and protecting their rights, our moral and political compass will always guide us in the right direction.
And when we combine these efforts with the commitment to advance equality, inclusiveness and diversity, the end result is always more democracy. Fair democracy. Democracy for all. Sustainable democracy.
Thank you!
