Newsroom
Women in Kosovo raising their voice
PRISTINA 24 March 2003
PRISTINA, 24 March 2003 - Greater involvement of women in politics, government and decision-making reflects movement towards a democratic society and so the empowerment of women is one of the most important challenges facing Kosovo.
The OSCE Office in Peje/Pec, together with local women's non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from municipalities of Decan/Decani, Kline/Klina, Istog/Istok and Peje/Pec, have published a directory of their organizations - in Albanian, Serbian and English - to serve as a useful guide to potential donors.
Have Lajqi, an OSCE Democratization Officer, has been co-ordinating work with the NGOs in compiling the book. "This is a modest contribution of the OSCE towards strengthening Kosovo civil society and the advance toward the creation of genuine and stable values, which conform with the standards of the democratic world", she says.
Women will, however, need to contribute in order to be equal members of society because being part of this process requires taking responsibility, she added. It will be these women that will have to raise their voice at those instances and fight for fundamental human rights - education and equality. A healthy family is the basis of society and that is where her role in this society begins.
NGOs from all four municipalities attended the launch ceremony which was held today in Peje/Pec. Also participating were the municipal gender officers, representatives of international organizations, as well as women advisors at the municipal assemblies.
In the future, it is hoped that these NGOs will form a strong women's network and be able to act as a mouthpiece for their rights and interests.
The OSCE supports the development of democratic structures, including institutions of political and public life, and has worked to foster women's participation in all sectors of society and strengthen their contribution as decision-makers in both the political and social spheres of society.
The OSCE Office in Peje/Pec, together with local women's non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from municipalities of Decan/Decani, Kline/Klina, Istog/Istok and Peje/Pec, have published a directory of their organizations - in Albanian, Serbian and English - to serve as a useful guide to potential donors.
Have Lajqi, an OSCE Democratization Officer, has been co-ordinating work with the NGOs in compiling the book. "This is a modest contribution of the OSCE towards strengthening Kosovo civil society and the advance toward the creation of genuine and stable values, which conform with the standards of the democratic world", she says.
Women will, however, need to contribute in order to be equal members of society because being part of this process requires taking responsibility, she added. It will be these women that will have to raise their voice at those instances and fight for fundamental human rights - education and equality. A healthy family is the basis of society and that is where her role in this society begins.
NGOs from all four municipalities attended the launch ceremony which was held today in Peje/Pec. Also participating were the municipal gender officers, representatives of international organizations, as well as women advisors at the municipal assemblies.
In the future, it is hoped that these NGOs will form a strong women's network and be able to act as a mouthpiece for their rights and interests.
The OSCE supports the development of democratic structures, including institutions of political and public life, and has worked to foster women's participation in all sectors of society and strengthen their contribution as decision-makers in both the political and social spheres of society.