On February 11, the member organization of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), Shqiponjat e Dardanës, held a roundtable to conclude its five-month initiative “Supporting women candidates for municipal assembly and raising awareness of rural women and girls about the role of their vote”, supported by the 15th round of the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF).
Havushe Bunjaku, Executive Director of the organization, opened the discussion thanking KWN for supporting this initiative, adding that without KWN’s logistic and financial assistance, this initiative would not have been possible.
Further, she has shared the experience gained from the field during this period.
“During these months, we have asked women voters to vote for at least one woman candidate, this is something we, together with KWN, have lobbied for. We must add that these women then advocated to their families and society for the reasons and importance of having more women in decision making positions,” said Bunjaku.
She also recalled that after the results of the local elections of October 2021, the representatives of the organization “Shqiponjat e Dardanës” have discussed with the assembly members about what hinders them and how they can raise their voice together for interests. of women and girls.
Hasan Luma, Gender Equality Officer in Lipjan Municipality, has promised support from municipal institutions for advancing the position of women in politics and decision-making in the local level.
“I have seen the progress and work of all parties for the development and advancement the position of women. However, the role of non-governmental organizations is very significant and it motivates women, especially those in rural areas, to take part in decision-making. Political parties are obliged to promote it, on the other hand you, women’s rights organizations, have a special role to push women to be an integral part of decision-making in the municipality,” he said.
Gjyste Dabaj, Human Rights Officer in Lipjan Municipality, also thanked KWN.
“We have to demand our rights, we have to demand that we, with our strength and skills, women are capable in business and politics. KWN has made a significant contribution to awareness and capacity building.”
Among the recommendations gathered from this roundtable are:
• Work towards the implementation of the Law on Gender Equality at the local level;
• Establish incentive mechanisms to increase women’s participation in politics at the local level;
• Establish village councilors headed by women.
Throughout this initiative, Shqiponjat e Dardanës has held meetings with women and girls from various villages in the municipality of Lipjan and Gracanica to advocate for the support of candidates in local elections, as well as to raise the awareness of women and girls from rural areas for the role of their vote.
This initiative was made possible thanks to the support received from the Kosovo Women’s Fund, with funding from the European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo.
