Ensuring women have an equal voice in politics and policy-making is critical to strengthening democratic processes in Kosovo. The annual Week of Women (WoW), supported by USAID and organized by the National Democratic Institute (NDI), provides opportunities and skills to women engaged in local-level politics.
Despite the pandemic and two sets of elections (national and local), the eighth annual WoW was a success, reaching over 100 women leaders from 22 municipalities of Kosovo. WoW started with a kick-off conference on December 15 - 16, 2020, followed by five sets of policy debates throughout 2021, addressing obstacles to women’s participation in politics but also building solutions and equipping participants with skills.
At the closing ceremony on November 19, Zeinah Salahi, USAID Mission Director in Kosovo highlighted the need for the political parties and institutions to take important steps to accelerate the inclusion of women and young people in all levels of politics. Scheduling the closing ceremony after the conclusion of 2021 local elections allowed participants to reflect on the lack of women candidates in local elections, the results, as well as the challenges faced from access to campaign resources to media opportunities, and the continued use of misogynistic language in political messaging.
“Politics is not a typical profession, the struggle of women in politics entails different approaches due to the posed challenges I found myself in positions where I wanted to retract from politics. However, I decided to continue and my commitment was transposed to becoming a member of parliament, “ concluded Albana Bytyqi, one of the panelists in her remarks.
“I have felt very equal with other participants during the WoW program, and even though it was a long undertaking, we appreciate every moment of it. Moreover, the fact that NDI has ensured a ramp for the two people who are present here in a wheelchair, means a lot to us”, noted Pranvera Musaj, a WoW 20/21 graduate, and member of NGO HandiKos.
NDI Kosovo for USAID Kosovo