The member organization of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) “Okarina e Runikut” during January has continued the activities undertaken within the four-month initiative “Women’s Empowerment in Politics and Decision Making”, supported by the 15th round of the Fund of Kosovo Women (FGK). 

In the meeting held on January 8 in the Municipality of Mitrovica, the representative of this organization, Luljeta Peci met with representatives of the Municipal Assembly, as well as activists and local organizations that work to strengthen women’s participation in politics and decision-making processes. 

The Chairperson of the Municipal Assembly, Vesa Broja, said that the women and girls of this municipality need institutional support. 

Also, during the meeting, the parties agreed on the drafting of a concept paper through which the issue of equal participation of women in local level politics will be further addressed. 

An important part of this discussion were also the representatives of political parties, who unanimously pledged to promote Gender Responsive Budgeting, starting from the municipal instances. 

Whereas, on January 14, “Okarina e Runikut” sent recommendations to the Municipal Assembly of Mitrovica, regarding the importance of gender equality at the local level. 

Some of the recommendations are as follows: 

• Women and men to be equally represented (50/50) in the local government elections; 

• The Gender Equality Committee should be transformed into a Gender Equality Advisory Committee, in order for civil society to participate; 
• The Municipality should draft a Strategy for Gender Equality in general terms, and / or draft a Strategy for Women in the Committee on Economy and Development; 
• Make a document-analysis of gender responsive budgeting of all directorates in the Municipality of Mitrovica; and 
• Allocate sufficient budget for the Office for Gender Equality, in cooperation with local organizations for women’s rights. 

This initiative was made possible thanks to the support received from the European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo, through the KWN initiative “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics”.