OSCE Presence organizes high-level conference on Women, Peace and Security in Albania

A high-level conference on Albania’s achievements under the agenda on Women, Peace and Security and the way ahead took place in Tirana on 1 November 2021. The OSCE Presence, UN Women Albania and the Dutch Embassy organized the event to mark the 21st anniversary of the UN Security Council’s Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS).

The event brought together parliamentarians, government, civil and international community representatives, who highlighted the progress and challenges in the implementation of the first National Action Plan in this field.

“Since the approval of its Action Plan, Albania has made significant progress to ensure gender balance in the security sector. The personal commitment and expertise of high-level officials in ministries and institutions continue to be an important driving force in this respect. While this can be considered a key success factor, better institutionalization of gender inclusiveness remains of paramount importance for further improving gender equality in security sector,” said Vincenzo Del Monaco, Head of the OSCE Presence. While pledging the Presence’s continued support to Albania’s institutions, Del Monaco encouraged for a whole-of-society approach.

Following finalization of the second monitoring report of the National Action Plan, the conference reflected upon the future of the WPS agenda in Albania, also in view of the country’s participation as a non-permanent member in the United Nations Security Council in 2022-2023. Women, Peace and Security was one of the priorities of Albanian OSCE Chairpersonship in 2020.

Foreign Minister Olta Xhaçka said that Women, Peace and Security agenda would be at the top of Albania’s priorities in UN Security Council for the next two years. “Having such a priority in itself, the work that we will do, the alliances, co-operation and synergies that we will create, and the attention that we will receive will be additional reasons to further advance the consolidation of women’s rights and of their natural and deserved place in decision-making, in government and in all areas of life in each and every country”, she said.

Xhaçka informed that Albania tops the global ranking of women in government, has almost 30% women in parliament, over 60% in leadership positions in the public administration, and a constantly increasing participation in what used to be considered as male domains such as the police and the military. “The battle continues, but the glass ceiling is breaking”, she said.

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ermonela Felaj, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection Denada Seferi, Deputy Minister of Interior Romina Kuko, Deputy Minister of Defence Dallëndyshe Bici, Dutch Ambassador to Albania Reinout Vos and UN Women Country Representative Michele Ribotta were among the key speakers at the event.

The OSCE Presence contributed to the co-ordination of efforts that resulted in the adoption of the first ever Women, Peace and Security Action Plan of Albania 2018-2020, and continues to assist in the preparation of the next action plan.