November 18, 2024 | Monday
Since 1999, UN Women has been committed to gender equality and women’s empowerment in Kosovo. Its long-time presence has been crucial in shaping policies and frameworks that highlight gender equality as a core social value to ensure the welfare of society. Legislative foundations that prioritise gender rights and inclusivity at both central and community levels have been established with the important help and support of UN Women, which works in close collaboration with local governments and UN agencies. In 2002, UN Women facilitated the development and implementation of the National Action Plan for the Achievement of Gender Equality, which served as an example of action plans on gender equality in Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, and North Macedonia.
When it comes to gender equality, Kosovo’s legal framework is in line with international norms and standards, an alignment that was reflected in 2020 when the Kosovo Assembly recognised the direct applicability of the Istanbul Convention in Kosovo Institution.
UN Women in Kosovo is implementing the Gender Equality Facility (GEF) project, funded by the European Union, to ensure further gender mainstreaming across sectors through the EU accession process..
Initiated in 2023, with a 30-month duration, the project aims to foster more equitable socio-economic outcomes for Kosovo’s citizens by mainstreaming gender equality across sectors. It is through this project that gender equality mechanisms, both at local and national levels, are strengthened and cultivated further. With the primary goal of supporting Kosovo’s government in integrating EU gender equality standards, the project is closely aligned with Kosovo’s Program for Gender Equality (2020-2024) and the EU Gender Action Plan III. This alignment ensures that gender considerations become an essential part of all sectors, promoting greater inclusivity and equitable development.
Through this project, UN Women and Kosovo’s Agency for Gender Equality (AGE) are leading this transformation with targeted workshops, policy diagnostics, and institutional training. Workshops with Gender Equality Officers at both local and central levels have furthered the understanding of gender mainstreaming in line with EU standards. Additionally, AGE conducted comprehensive legal analyses across various sectors, promoting gender-responsive practices in public procurement, social housing, and other critical areas. In 2024, a delegation from Kosovo visited Croatia to exchange best practices in aligning gender policies with EU standards, underscoring Kosovo’s commitment to fostering a culture of gender equality within its governance.
Through the GEF project, extensive work was also done with local governments to help them adopt inclusive policies. By September 2024, thirteen municipalities in Kosovo had approved gender action plans thanks to the initiative of the GEF project. These plans indicate a growing commitment to gender equality at the municipal level. Through workshops and training, over 190 municipal officials have strengthened their capacities to integrate gender equality principles into local governance, ensuring that municipal decision-making reflects a commitment to gender equity.
Through its activities, GEF prioritises those at risk of exclusion, aiming to empower marginalised communities and ensure that their voices are heard – contributing to a change in mindset rather than just working on a policy level. The long-term result of the project activities is that society is gradually transforming into a value of inclusivity and cultivating a commitment to making gender equality a leading principle in all aspects of public life. By fostering a culture of inclusivity and empowering institutions to uphold gender equity, the GEF project not only benefits women and men today but also builds the foundation for a more inclusive future.