News

The meeting organized by Professional Women’s Network within the LGC organization with a topic on” The role of women in governance” has been very productive. Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Local Government, Fatbardha Emini expressed the readiness of the Ministry on advancing the local self-government by the Performance Management System where gender equality is included as a separate area with 11 indicators. Ms. Emini has disclosed a lot of information and statistics regarding gender equal representation at the local level and the role of the central level, with which you can be informed below:
• In 38 municipalities in Kosovo, 38 Mayors are men. Out of 38 Chairpersons of Municipal Assemblies, 32 are men, while 6 are women.
• 43.5% of women are employed in the public sector, only 13% own certain businesses, which proves that there is still work to be done in raising public awareness and providing opportunities for women to express their skills in doing business and contribute to economic development.
• Out of 38 municipalities, 407 men have been appointed Directors of Municipal Directorates, while 95 women.
• The municipality of Kamenica and Drenas have managed to implement the law on gender equality, where 50% are women Municipal Directors and 50% men.
• Approximately 25% of women are in decision-making positions at the local level.
• In terms of political positions out of 420 positions in the municipal executive in 36 municipalities, 119 are women (50.95%).
• Regarding the representation of women in leading positions in cultural, health and sports education institutions from 1663 positions 516 or 59.02% are led by women.
• Ministry of Local Government itself has made a great progress in respecting the law on gender equality; where the General Secretary is a woman, 90% of the Minister and Deputy Minister cabinet is represented by women, in terms of civil staff out of 105 civil servants, 44.76% are men and 55, 24% women.
Efforts to improve the capacities and deliveries of the local government services are ongoing. However, the quality of public consultation at the local level remains a concern. Women continue to be under-represented in local decision-making processes.
In the contemporary world, the inclusion of women is the driving force behind democratic societies and that they are developed only when both parties enjoy equal rights. According to statistics, investing in gender policies brings various benefits, so by reducing gender inequality societies have benefited in economic, cultural and social aspect. The exclusion of women from decision-making bodies limits the possibilities for entrenching the principles of democracy in a society, hindering economic development and discouraging the attainment of gender equality.