PRESENTATION OF THE REPORT "POLITICAL REPRESENTATION IN THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL AFTER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 50/50 GENDER QUOTA: WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE GENDER GAP?"

On 30 May 2024, AWEN held a round table to present the findings of the research report "Political representation in municipal councils after the implementation of the 50/50 gender quota: What is happening to the gender gap?".

The study was carried out in 11 municipal councils and was based on following, transcribing and analyzing municipal council meetings, as well as interviews conducted with councilors. It focused on political representation in municipal councils in 2023, but making comparisons with 2018 and 2016.

From this study, it was highlighted that beyond the numerical achievements, there is a gender equality gap in the municipal councils. Among the main findings that were presented are related to receiving and interrupting the speech of women councilors, the topics in which they are included in the discussion, the political pressure that is put on them, etc.

The presentation of the findings of this report was followed with great interest by those present and was followed by a discussion on how these findings can be used in order to improve the situation.

This activity was developed within the project "Civil society for good governance: A national intervention aimed at strengthening capacities, strengthening partnerships, and raising public awareness" which is implemented with the support of the regional project "SMART Balkans - Civil Society for Values" Common in the Western Balkans" implemented by Centar za promencije ?leni društva (CPCD) in collaboration with IDM Albania (Institute for Democracy and Mediation), and Center for Research and Policy Making (Center for Research and Policy Making), and has been financially supported by Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA).