PUBLIC STATEMENT OF WOMEN’S ORGANIZATIONS

PUBLIC STATEMENT OF WOMEN’S ORGANIZATIONS

Addressed to:

·       Mr. Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania – Chair of the Socialist Party

·       Mr. Niko Peleshi, Speaker of the Parliament of Albania

·       Members of the Parliament of Albania

We, women’s and human rights organizations, express our deep concern over the ongoing attempts to weaken the Draft Law on Gender Equality, which reflects nearly three decades of sacrifices, lobbying, and advocacy of Albanian women for equality and social justice.

This law:

·       strengthens gender equality in employment, education, healthcare, social services, and decision-making;

·       addresses gender stereotypes, promotes the use of gender-sensitive language, and requires gender impact assessments for all legislation;

·       protects individual rights by aligning national legislation with EU standards and international convention recommendations;

·       does not create new genders, alter family life, or impose mandatory terminology on citizens.

We are deeply concerned that the proposed amendments cannot form part of a law that aims to ensure equality and respect for human rights. Any change undermining these principles would represent a setback for Albanian society, regardless of global challenges and difficulties.

We therefore call for:

The approval of the law in its full form as proposed by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, including us, without amendments that compromise gender equality;
An open and transparent debate with the participation of human rights and civil society experts;
Public support for the commitment to equality, dignity, and human rights as the foundation of European integration and democracy in Albania.
Any attempt to obstruct or weaken this law at the behest of particular groups must not define us as a society and poses a serious threat to the hard-won progress of Albanian women over the past 30 years.

Respectfully,
Albanian Women Empowerment Network (AWEN), Tirana
Gender Alliance for Development Center, Tirana
Center for Civic Legal Initiatives, Tirana
Agritra-Vision, Peshkopi
Woman to Woman, Shkodër
Psycho-Social Center “Vatra”, Vlorë
Counseling Line for Women and Girls, Tirana
Women’s Forum Elbasan, Elbasan
Association “Jona”, Sarandë
Association “Unë Gruaja”, Pogradec
YWCA Albania, Tirana
Center for Community Development “Today for the Future”
Center for Social Advocacy
AWA (Albanian Women in Audiovisual)
Women’s Association “Refleksione”
Organization New Bridges
Center A.L.T.R.I. (Albanian Legal and Territorial Institute Research)
Institute for the Social Contract
Institute for Development and Civic Initiatives
Albanian Helsinki Committee
ARSIS Initiative
Center for European Development and Integration (CEDI)
Foundation Together
Center “Strehëza Edlira Haxhiymeri”
LGBT Alliance
Bash - Art