The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), once reiterates its call for the cessation of sexist and misogynistic language toward women in politics and decision-making.

Today, the Deputy General Director of Radio Television of Kosovo, Mentor Shala, addressed Doarsa Kica-Xhelili, the Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee for Media and a Member of Parliament, using this kind of language.

Without engaging in polemics between Kica-Xhelili and Shala, Shala’s use of this language should be condemned. It has no place on public television – and should never be used by a Deputy General, whose salary is paid by citizens’ taxes.

Shala’s language is sexist, misogynistic, and encourages the already unequal social, economic and cultural relations between women and men.

Every sentence of Shala’s post on Facebook is sexist and discriminatory. No sentence is critical of Kica-Xhelili’s work as Member of Parliament, a position that she gained by the citizens’ vote. Rather the Deputy General decides to criticize the physical appearance of one of Kosovo’s Parliamentary Members.

Women continue to be a constructive part of the political process in Kosovo, so KWN strongly condemns any attempt to devalue their political role through sexist and misogynistic acts. Also, this practice drastically challenges the achievement of an equal, inclusive society, as well as undermines the progressive aspirations of the Republic of Kosovo.