“The aim of having more women in politics does not mean fewer men in politics, but having a society that is more equal to all.”
Artmir Ibra, Winner of the Essay Competition
I
For a society to gain empowerment, development and equality for women and men, it should offer opportunities for improvement of the current situation, respectively for the achievement of gender equality. By the ‘society with gender equality’ concept we may understand the situation of a society in which women and men are equal members and enjoy the opportunities as part of political, economic, social and cultural life, per their desires and decisions. This concept contains the idea that women and men should share their responsibilities in all areas of decision-making in society. A gender-equal society is a society built by men and women as equal partners.[1]
Participation of women and men in public life, and their equal representation, are vital for gender equality and our society in general. Equal representation is a democratic necessity for our country, considering the number of women voters and the role they play in decision-making. An equal representation would improve the outcome of the policies, in general, and the legitimacy and quality of democracy, as well as transparency, considering the decision-making through consultations with all categories.
Each one of us should start from the prejudices we have on gender roles in our society – by dismissing or change them – and then build a society where men and women equally participate in families, society, work and politics. It’s the duty for all of us to start the change while bearing equality in our minds, and by respecting all legal instruments available, for our mothers, wives and daughters to advance further and become decision-makers within our governing policies.
II
Empowerment of women and gender equality is not just basic human rights, but they are essential for achieving development that would include anyone; a sustainable development with equal opportunities for all. Participation of women in the decision-making is the key factor for achieving this goal, and this participation should be initiated by political parties. The right of women to participate in political life is guaranteed by several international conventions, which are incorporated in the Constitution of our state.[2] The Kosovo Assembly has also approved the Law on Gender Equality [3], the Law Against Discrimination[4], and has as well promoted gender quota – as a measure that will encourage the participation of women in political life and decision-making. This did not provide expected results as the problem is deeper and thus society needs to do more.
Considering that women occupy less than 20% of the parliamentary seats in the World, the political parties need to do more for easing this effort by supporting the political empowerment of women.[5] Being an important factor in the promotion of the young candidates for participation in the elections and in determining the policies of the country, political parties need to change their view concerning the inclusion of women in politics. This is specifically related to the inclusion of women in state decision-making positions and not in ones within the party – whose importance decreases after the elections. Women lack adequate support from political parties for advancement in decision-making positions. A Balkans Policy Research Group’s report has published information’s concerning women representation in high decision-making positions, with an extremely low percentage: 11.9%, in 2018.[6] Furthermore, this report underlines that increase in the number of women holding decision-making positions in the Government from the previous years is insignificant, considering that the Government has created additional ministries but it failed to include a larger number of women.[7]
III
For being able to produce a solution that will prevent gender inequality and discrimination in our society, especially in the country’s political decision-making, we must first recognize the challenges and obstacles that this category of society face while aiming for equality. Starting from Kosovo’s actual political system and culture, which excludes women, not just from being appointed in decision-making positions but even from the talks and debates about being appointed into these positions, as well. This is an important factor, which shows that Kosovo parties have a long way ahead before their internal democratization; Disrespect of the Law on Gender Equality by public institutions is the other obstacle women face. The gender quota (30%) promoted by the Law on General Elections doesn’t match with the Law on Gender Equality.[8] Lack of implementation of the Law Against Discrimination in Employment and of the Law on Labour, considering that women represent a sensitive category under these laws, is an important factor to be considered; In addition to these problems, women in Kosovar society face constant stigma, considering patriarchal culture which continues to prevail in Kosovar politics.
Kosovo, as a developing country and as a country on the eve of elections, has an ideal opportunity to update, promote and change its policies regarding the representation and empowerment of women. Bearing in mind the outcome of the last election, when a woman became a Speaker of the Kosovo Assembly, society should not lose this momentum – considering that women are those who are or can be elected into decision-making positions – to promote and advance the agendas for women’s empowerment. There are examples from around the world, especially from developing countries, on how this problem can be overcome, and our society can benefit greatly from those examples. Good practices for laying the foundations of gender equality should be initiated by legal institutions. Costa Rica has, for instance, established a Prosecutor Office for Gender Equality, [9] or the Law on Gender Equality established in Sweeden. Treatment of gender equality should start from parties, as well, by incorporating treatment of gender equality into their internal regulations and by the inclusion of gender quota within each local branch. Special focus should be held on financing women’s political campaigns, as this is an important factor that has consistently hindered women’s participation in elections. This will result in a different perspective on gender equality while developing state policies.
Inclusion of women in politics and focus on their viewpoint are important conditions for democratic development. Political parties can greatly benefit from promoting and empowering the women, as this may result in the creation of new members and the bases for support, as well as in increasing the budget from public funds – which could be intended for female members.
IV
Formal support from all our institutions is needed to overcome barriers to women’s participation in politics. Kosovo proved that having a woman for a head of state is something that especially developing countries need. Promotion of women’s rights, gender equality and all other issues linked with this topic are advanced in the best manner through a top-down approach, an approach that should continue especially following the elections. Our society should promote equal participation and women’s decision-making in all institutions, including assembly, judiciary and municipalities, and it should not focus just on the central government. Kosovo, as a young and multi-ethnic state, should promote equality of women in all communities, in particular. Women from the Albanian majority, as well as those from other non-majority communities, should have extraordinary attention and opportunities, considering their treatment by society over the years. Kosovo should be the country that will update the expression “The best man for the job” to “The best woman for the job”. It’s time for Kosovar women to become a key factor for the new era of development in Kosovo. Our mothers proved their resilience throughout our troubled history, in the best possible manner, and now is the time for them to have equal opportunity in decision-making. They constantly confirm the saying:
“A woman is like a teabag – you will never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.” [10]
Disclaimer: The views and analysis in this report are solely of the author and do not reflect the views of the donors.
The original version of this essay is
written in Albanian and translated into English and Serbian. We have attempted
to provide an accurate translation of the original essay. However, due to
variations for alternative words or phrases to be used in place of the original
language, differences may exist.
[1] What we need to know on Gender Equality in Kosovo - OPM, AGE - Pristina, May 2018
[2] Kosovo’s Constitution https://gzk.rks-gov.net/ActDetail.aspx?ActID=3702
[3] Law NR. 05/L-020 for Gender Equality https://gzk.rks-gov.net/ActDetail.aspx?ActID=10923
[4] Law NR. 05/L -021 https://gzk.rks-gov.net/ActDetail.aspx?ActID=10924
[5] Empowering Women for Stronger Political Parties - NDI, UNDP- February, 2012
[6] Balkans Policy Research Group, Women in Politics: (In)Equality in Politics and Decision making https://balkansgroup.org/en/women-in-politics-gender-inequality-in-politics-and-decision-making-4/
[7] Ibid
[8] Women in decision-making in political institutions in Kosovo - INDEP - March, 2019
[9] https://www.heredia.go.cr/en/social-wellness/office-of-gender
[10] Eleanor Roosevelt
