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The pandemic has disproportionately affected women and men, as women and men in Kosovo are not equal. There is a high informality in the labor market which has particularly affected women, as women are unfortunately more engaged in the informal sector.
As a follow-up of the Professional Women’s Network (PWN) meeting, organized by Leadership and Growth Council, Merita Limani, Gender and Governance Expert discussed the topic “Perspectives on the economic recovery package”.
The pandemic has taught the state to be vigilant in cases such as pandemics, because it is unfair for people to be left without any special support from the state itself, when the needs are the greatest.
The pandemic has disproportionately affected women and men, as women and men in Kosovo are not equal. There is a high informality in the labor market which has particularly affected women, as women are unfortunately more engaged in work in the informal sectors.
In the absence of the opportunity to cover maternity leave expenses, most businesses tend not to employ women or will discriminate against them based on their marital status. Especially in the private sector, women do not have stable contracts, pregnancy and maternity leave payments have caused problems, which are seen by the state as a loss and not as social benefits. Ms. Limani pointed that: “There is no social concept in Kosovo.”
In continuation Ms. Limani presented some statistics:
 20.6% - women’s activity in the labor market according to the recovery plan
 30% - domestic violence has increased since the pandemic
 187,870.00 - active jobseekers registered by the end of August 2020
 2,813.00 – open vacancies
“I suggest that the recovery plan should support women in employment and there should be a mechanism that focuses on preventing job loss among women. Women should also be supported in employment, through public-private partnerships, which is not mentioned in the recovery plan”- continued Ms. Limani.
In addition to the labor market being restrictive, women are at a disadvantage with men in this regard. It is important to provide more space regarding women in labor market and at the same time provide institutional support so they can keep their jobs.