Honoured Prime Minister Kurti,
Honoured Former President Jahjaga,
Honoured Ambassador Soderberg,
Honoured ministers, leaders of political parties, deputy-leaders of political parties in the country,
Honoured members of the Strategic Network for Gender Policy,
Ladies and gentlemen present here today, and MPs I see present as well,
Thank you for the invitation to this event today!
But, above all, thank you for the work and also for the fact that you, as rarely before, have managed to consolidate a request, which goes beyond the eventual differences that the members in this Network may have, which has an extraordinary and very important purpose: the guaranteeing and advancing of gender equality in the country. The fact that this is a unanimous request of all representatives of central and local institutions, representatives of political parties, civil society, academia, the majority and non-majority community speaks more than any other word.
Before I continue further, I want to thank NDI for this initiative and for the fact that over the years it has played a very important role in empowering women in politics, especially in leadership and decision-making positions in the country, always contributing towards the development of a more equal, more inclusive and even more productive political environment.
Gender equality in politics and decision-making is a prerequisite for fair, inclusive and sustainable policy-making. Gender equality is actually synonymous with the development and progress of a country. Based on this premise, one of our main commitments within the framework of President Biden’s Democracy Summit has to do precisely with harmonizing the laws of the Republic of Kosovo with the Law on Gender Equality.
Gender equality is therefore essential in our daily work, it is essential in the daily life of our citizens. Therefore, we have started work on harmonizing the Law on General Elections, the Law on Local Elections, the Law on the Financing of Political Parties, all of these with the Law on Gender Equality, aiming for equality in candidate lists, increasing the level of representation of women in politics, as well as in the leadership structures of political parties, ultimately, the increase in the number of women in decision-making and leadership positions both at the local and central level. But the work to align these laws for gender equality will go much further than the laws I just mentioned.
In fact, today, a few hours ago, the working group for gender equality that operates within the Council for Democracy and Human Rights within the Presidency – has worked on one of the already fulfilled commitments of this Summit, by holding its first meeting in an official capacity precisely to start drafting these amendments.
We are aware that the road ahead is long, but we are equally aware that when we talk about gender equality there is not and should not be an alternative narrative. Gender equality is the right thing and the wisest action of any society, especially for the society of our days, but also for our future.
As we work to turn words into action, we need the support, knowledge, professionalism and commitment of each and every one of you. The more comprehensive the preparatory work will be, the higher the chances of success in achieving our common goals will be.
What we are aiming for next has nothing to do with advancing the position of a woman or a group of women in our society, but with guaranteeing a better life for all women throughout Kosovo. And anyone who today doesn’t clearly understand the importance of the commitment in this direction, doesn’t clearly see the infinite potential of our society, especially of women in our society and the transformative ability that we can have when we work together, when women and men are equal
It is an extraordinary feeling to represent Kosovo in the international arena and to see how those who believe in gender equality see with admiration the example that Kosovo has given as a new democracy with many, many examples at the central level.
But, as long as we have a more dignified and more equal representation at the central level; while we see an increased participation of women in party leadership structures, we still have a lot of work to do to have an even more equal representation, especially at the local level, but also in important sectors such as defense and security, and other sectors which unfortunately have traditionally been dominated by men.
For this reason, in October of this year, we will organize in Prishtina, the First International Forum for Women, Peace and Security. We have so much to learn from others, but we also have so much to show the world. We have a golden opportunity to motivate women and girls in Kosovo, but also beyond Kosovo for engagement and activation in the leadership and management of relevant and vital processes in our country and beyond.
What we can say today with great conviction is that the parties that have supported the advancement of women in their structures have already realized the mistakes made in the past during the years when women’s participation was weak.
Most of the parties in the country have fortunately realized that the equal participation of women in leadership structures means an increased chance for success, for effective work, for leadership and for dignified representation of the country.
Gloria Steinem, one of the most distinguished feminists of our time, has said: “If you are not a feminist, male or female, you are looking at the world with one eye open”. It is the right time to open both eyes: to open them well and to see clearly!
I am convinced that the days ahead will be better. I see among you many feminists, activists, many professionals – I see individuals who believe, but also work hard to guarantee gender equality in every step and sphere of our lives.
Now we have to join forces and do the best we know and can. Therefore, I strongly believe that united and well-coordinated goals always have the potential for transformative change in our society.
I invite you today to cooperate with the Group for Gender Equality within the Council for Democracy and with other relevant institutions in the country to implement the goal that unites us for equal rights and opportunities for women and men in every sector, both at the local level as well as at the central level, in the public or private sector, in every law and every action of ours.
Thank you!