Prishtina, 21 October, 2024
Organized by the Agency for Gender Equality within the Office of the Prime Minister, today, the final report for the Evaluation of the Kosovo Program for Gender Equality 2020-2024 was presented.
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, accompanied by the Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, participated in the presentation of the final report of the PKBGJ. In his introductory speech, the Prime Minister emphasized that gender equality is at the center of the transformational processes in our Republic, while the report presented today shows how, through joint work, we have progressed in improving conditions in areas such as economic empowerment and social welfare. advancing gender equality through quality and inclusive education and health.
On economic empowerment and social well-being, the Prime Minister emphasized that unemployment among women has decreased from 29.7% to 17.2%, we have provided direct support to the employment of over 12 thousand women, and close to 14 thousand young people between the ages of 18-29 who have been employed through the government platform Superpuna, 51% are girls, we have supported more than 2,600 employees through the “Government for families” program, of which 55% are women, providing allowances for nearly 60,000 expectant mothers and thanks to this allowance and that for children, about 100,000 women have opened a bank account for the first time in their lives, and we launched the employment measure for women who are victims of violence.
He also mentioned the measures and policies undertaken in the field of education, health, justice and security. In relation to these areas, he mentioned, among other things, the Education Strategy and the adoption of the Law on Early Childhood Education, the allocation of scholarships for studies, the administrative instruction for prices from which mammography will be free throughout the year, for the first time in public health, breast reconstruction is offered free of charge and prostheses are already provided with support from the Government, the quintuple of the budget for preventive vaccines and the provision of important new vaccines such as the HPV vaccine that prevents cervical cancer and the advancement of the legal framework that protects women from gender-based violence.
“With institutional responsibility and social awareness, with dedication and work, we are together in the battles for a Kosovo as equal as possible between women and men, a progressive and progressive society.” Prime Minister Kurti concluded his speech.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Dear Ms. Albulena Haxhiu, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Kosovo,
The honorable Mr. Getoar Mjeku, Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Economy,
The honorable Mr. Arsim Ademi, Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation,
Dear Ms. Edi Gusia, Acting Executive Director at the Agency for Gender Equality,
The honorable Mr. Henrik Riby, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Sweden,
Dear attendees,
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Kosovo Program for Gender Equality 2020-2024 is guided by a mission: that gender equality be at the center of the transformational processes in our Republic. The strategic approach is in three main areas — economic empowerment and social well-being, advancing gender equality through quality and inclusive education and health.
At the same time, equal rights in decision-making, peace, security and justice are promoted. All these together constitute a solid platform for gender equality. The report presented today shows how, through joint work, we have progressed in improving conditions in these areas.
First, in the field of economic empowerment and social welfare, we have worked to create equal opportunities for everyone, and especially for women from vulnerable groups.
According to the data of the Statistics Agency of Kosovo, from the first three months of 2021 to the last quarter of 2023, i.e. for two and a half years, general unemployment has fallen from 25.8% to 10.7%. This with new employment and formalization of work; men from 24.2% to 7.9%, while women from 29.7% to 17.2%.
We have provided direct support in the employment of more than 12 thousand women, while close to 14 thousand young people between the ages of 18-29 who have been employed through the government platform Superpuna, 51% are girls. We have supported over 2,600 employees through the “Government for Families” program, of which 55% are women. We have distributed allowances to nearly 60,000 expectant mothers. Thanks to this allowance and the one for children, about 100 thousand women have opened bank accounts for the first time in their lives.
We launched the employment measure for women who are victims of violence. Through this measure, the government will subsidize 70% of the employees’ salary for six months in a row.
Affirmative measures, such as the exemption from fees for registering joint property in the name of both spouses, are concrete evidence of progress. We have seen a significant increase in the number of properties registered in the name of two spouses, a key step towards economic equality. While increasing the capacities for responsible gender budgeting, it is also an essential step towards equal access to public funds.
In the field of education, the Education Strategy and the adoption of the Law on Early Childhood Education are the basis for significant improvements. We have made public higher education free. For three years, we have allocated over 10 million euros in support for students. Of the more than 10,200 scholarships for students, more than 4,880 of them are awarded to students in the STEM fields, meaning science, technology, engineering and mathematics, with the vast majority of them for women and girls.
The overall well-being of our citizens is our objective for which we work non-stop, hard and right. When it comes to the health of women and girls, increased care is required, with individual, social and institutional actions.
Since it is October, I will especially point out that with the administrative pricing guide, mammography will be free throughout the year. For the first time in public health, breast reconstruction is offered free of charge and prostheses are now provided with support from the Government.
Also, we have quintupled the budget for preventive vaccines and have provided important new vaccines such as the HPV vaccine that prevents cervical cancer.
In the field of justice and security, we have achieved tangible results through the advancement of the legal framework that protects women from gender-based violence, which will be discussed in more detail in the continuation of this meeting.
However, the report shows us that there are areas that require more attention to guarantee full gender equality. These are areas where we need to do more, to ensure that no sector is left out of the advancement of gender equality, and that women and men have equal access to all resources and opportunities.
As Kosovo continues to develop, new challenges emerge which have distinct gender impacts. Therefore, the New Program for Gender Equality should be designed as a response to the needs of women and girls, as well as men and boys in our country. It must be visionary, addressing today’s needs and tomorrow’s complexities.
The new program must be sensitive to the different experiences of all people, especially those who face multiple and multiple forms of discrimination. From women with disabilities to non-majority communities, the program must be adapted to reflect the realities of life in all communities.
Finally, the new program must be accompanied by strong mechanisms for oversight and accountability. We cannot afford to lose momentum due to lagging implementation or lack of reporting.
Dear guests,
The report reminds us that progress is only possible through the joint commitment of all parties — government institutions, civil society, the private sector and international partner organizations.
Gender equality requires the transformation of harmful gender norms and stereotypes. So more men and boys need to be involved as advocates and allies, who encourage positive behavior and challenge toxic masculinity.
Through this joint work, we are proving that gender equality is an essential pillar of human rights and the path to sustainable development of the Republic of Kosovo. Therefore, we must continue to strengthen the existing mechanisms, include all social groups, and commit ourselves so that every citizen of Kosovo, regardless of gender, has equal opportunities to contribute and benefit from the progress of our country.
With institutional responsibility and social awareness, with dedication and work, we are together in the battles for a more equal Kosovo between women and men, a progressive and progressive society.
Thank you!
Last modified: October 22, 2024