Dear Nancy,<\/p>\n
Honorable Ambassadors,<\/p>\n
Deputy Prime Ministers,<\/p>\n
Representatives of institutions,<\/p>\n
Honorable Members of Parliament,<\/p>\n
Dear NDI team,<\/p>\n
Honorable participants,<\/p>\n
One thing is clear to my team, whenever Women\u2019s Week approaches, they know that this is an event they absolutely must attend.<\/p>\n
The reason for this is closely related to this year\u2019s theme. I strongly believe that Women\u2019s Week is not just an annual activity, but a platform. A platform that represents the very essence of transformative leadership. Not only because it speaks about transformative leadership, but because it embodies it within every word, in every panel, in every space it creates for the women and girls of our country.<\/p>\n
Therefore, I believe that there is no more natural place to talk about transformative leadership than here at Women\u2019s Week, organized by NDI in collaboration with our Swiss friends. Where the political journey itself, right here at Women’s Week, was shaped, nurtured and guided by the values and principles that underpin true leadership. Thank you for the extraordinary work you do and it is always a pleasure to be among you!<\/p>\n
Dear participants,<\/p>\n
For too long the world has seen leadership simply as a title, as a position, as a seat at the table. But, in reality, true leadership, the one that transforms, goes far beyond that.<\/p>\n
Leadership is not limited to physical objects or titles, but is found in the courage, in the unwavering conviction, in the decision that can often seem silent but powerful to stand up when it is easier to sit down, and to stand for principles when it is easier to look away.<\/p>\n
To speak up and raise your voice when it is easier to remain silent. To resist, when it is easiest to conform to the crowd.<\/p>\n
We in Kosovo know this better than many others. From the fight for freedom, we have walked with complete conviction towards building democracy and strong institutions. From oppression, we committed ourselves to finally having a voice, even a powerful voice.<\/p>\n
From injustice, we fought for freedom and peace. And, at every step of this path, it was not only men who pushed our country forward. On the contrary, it was also women, mothers, students, survivors, dreamers, those who lead protests, those who fought for freedom, those who built peace, democracy and our state.<\/p>\n
So, it was women. Women, who held their families together when everything was falling apart. Women, who led movements, often without being called leaders at all. Women, who reformulated the very meaning of service not for power, but for purpose, for a cause.<\/p>\n
Transformational leadership never comes from ego, but from empathy. Transformational leadership never rules, but empowers, empowers others. It does not demand applause, but nevertheless demands change, change always for the better. And above all, transformational leadership recognizes one truth, and that truth is that no society can be fully free, just, or progressive if half of its population is left behind.<\/p>\n
This is as true here in Prishtina as it is in every corner of the world. But let\u2019s be honest, this journey is never easy. Even today, women who lead are constantly questioned, more quickly judged, and less supported.<\/p>\n
Even today, patriarchy dresses in new costumes, hides behind other titles, newer titles, but dares to say: wait a little longer. Wait your turn! Wait because you are women! Wait because you are still young! Wait because your turn has not come! Wait, this is a job for men! Don’t talk about how unbecoming you are as a woman, keep quiet and don’t speak! But, we always stood in the face of these prejudices.<\/p>\n
And I am convinced that we have waited long enough. Leadership that transforms does not wait, but acts, is action. It does not ask for permission, but opens doors. It does not avoid differences, but faces every difference with vision, integrity and dignity.<\/p>\n
I say this not only as a President, but also as a woman, as a daughter, as a mother. As a woman, who has been told more often than not: you can’t do it more than you can! And yet, beyond what the women of Kosovo have heard for decades and even centuries, they succeeded!<\/p>\n
Today they lead, today they change their minds, break barriers and the most important thing is that we have just begun, the best is yet to come. But, our journey to this point did not come by itself. That journey is led by women and girls who never accepted limitations, who refused to give in. Those who knew clearly that if we want our society to move forward, we must take the first step ourselves.<\/p>\n
Therefore, when we talk about leadership that transforms, we do not need to look beyond our borders or go back far in time. Examples of this leadership surround us and are very close to us, even in this hall. Such are women like Vasfije Krasniqi, Shyhrete Tahiri Sylejmani, two women who became symbols. Because they transformed pain into strength to move forward and change the lives of many other women and men, who still struggle in silence with incurable wounds.<\/p>\n
Such is Fahrije Hoti, who turned defeat into a transformative force for her entire community, for all the women in her village, in her city and beyond. Such is Majlinda Kelmendi, who reached the top of the world in judo and paved the way not only for Kosovo, but also for other judokas for the triumph of Distria, Laura and Nora Gjakova.<\/p>\n
Such is Igo Rogova, an icon who led the movements that are the foundation of the transformation of our society. And many, many women in civil society, the media, politics and many other women, who we do not hear about on television, but do much more than we publicly acknowledge.<\/p>\n
Thank you to each and every one of them!<\/p>\n
Such are our women MPs, who will be with you this afternoon. Women, who break barriers in a world that is often not welcoming to women.<\/p>\n
Such are the women of the Academy. Such, as I mentioned, are the women of the civil society sector, of our institutions, of information and technology, of energy, of medicine, of the law and of every other profession.<\/p>\n
Such are you, all of you who are in this room today. Because, you also chose to be here, rather than anywhere else, convinced that an hour earlier with each other is an additional hour of empowerment. One more hour with each other is an hour of support and inspiration to do more, better and work smarter towards equality.<\/p>\n
Therefore, I invite you to see Women’s Week not just as one more event. When we were young MPs, we never saw it as just one simple event. It was much more, as I said, a platform, where every debate, every meeting, every day you spend together is a call to action. To support each other, to speak the truth, even when it is difficult to face, to lead with courage. Not because we are simply not afraid, but because we know that fear has no chance of standing in the face of our common goal.<\/p>\n
To every young girl who sees us and wonders if her voice matters, know that it does, and that too. To every man who believes in equality, I ask you not to stand behind us, but with us. And, to every leader here, don\u2019t ask how many titles you have, but how many lives you have helped improve and transform through your leadership. Because transformative leadership is about taking responsibility for the world we leave behind at the end of our term.<\/p>\n
And in the end, the moment you realize that you too can be at the forefront of transformation is when you find yourself working for a cause that goes far beyond yourself.<\/p>\n
Hence that famous expression: There is nothing, nothing more fulfilling than working for a cause that is bigger than yourself.<\/p>\n
Thank you and I wish you success in \u201cWeek of Women\u201d, Women\u2019s Week!<\/p>\n