OSCE Presence hosts discussion on women's leadership in Albania

TIRANA, 19 July 2007 - More than 40 women representing central and local government offices, civil society, and international organizations took part in a debate organized by the OSCE Presence yesterday to promote women's leadership and broader participation in public life.

"The OSCE Presence will continue to help promote gender equality in Albania where women are still considerably underrepresented in public affairs," said Ambassador Pavel Vacek, the Head of the OSCE Presence. He noted that only 3 per cent of the mayors countrywide were women.

Participants, including the Mayor of Kotor in Montenegro, Marija Catovic, and the Chief Executive Officer of Prizren Municipality, Kosovo, Mybera Mustafa spoke about the challenges and stereotypes, and misconceptions they face daily, as well as of the causes of the problems in their work and the ways to overcome them.

The Vice Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Marjeta Zaçe, said that the Government was developing policies and programmes to encourage a wider participation of women in public life. "But we are also trying to take into account the level of awareness of such issues in our society, as well as its capacity to absorb these policies," she added.

"The OSCE Presence will continue to promote the women's leadership forum and strengthen the network established, providing assistance to women elected officials to help them better cope with the roles of community leadership and public service," said Ambassador Vacek.