Supporting women is a high-yield investment, resulting in stronger economies, more vibrant civil societies, healthier communities, and greater peace and stability. – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, March 8, 2009

Women’s Empowerment Project in Albania

As Albania celebrates its first year as a new NATO member and moves to gain entry in the EU, a number of issues remain unresolved in terms of gender equality and the inclusion of women in decision-making processes and institutions. USAID’s Women’s Empowerment project in Albania seeks to improve the ability of Albanians to form a more inclusive political society, approaching international norms on gender equality.  These issues include access to credit for women, official gender equality laws and cultural practices, access to all levels of education, head of household/decision-making issues, equity of pay, and a lack of political voice among others.

To address these issues, the project and a local women’s organization, Refleksione, conducted a series of roundtables in a number of towns throughout Albania to bring together leaders, women and men to discuss the role of women in their communities. Held in Shkoder, Vlore, Berat, Rreshen, Pogradec and Gjirokaster, the workshops were successful in indentifying the barriers that limit the role that Albanian women play in the family and their communities.

Yet, there are women who have broken this mold and are contributing to the advancement of women in the workplace, politics, and education fields.  To showcase these positive examples, the project produced six documentaries about stories of Albania women.  These women have overcome adversities and challenged old mentalities in order to improve their lives and livelihoods, contribute to their areas of interest and fight for the rights of other women.  The documentaries were broadcast on the widely viewed Albanian television channel, Top Channel, during prime time throughout the summer and again on National Public Television in October.

The films are available on this website in the Video Gallery. Below are synopses of the films:

• Albina (Rreshen) --The story of a woman from the north, a wife and mother who holds an important position as a decision-maker in Albania's health sector.
• Bardhylka (Tirana) --The story of a courageous woman in a wheelchair who works as a strong, active voice for the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities.
• Mimoza (Pogradec) -- The story of a woman that has enjoyed success in business, getting access to credit, and helping other aspiring business women in her community.
• Meli (Mjede) -- The story of a middle-aged village woman who dares to work in the male-dominated rail sector and when unfairly dismissed, turns to the courts for justice.
• Enika (Berat) --The story of a policewoman who goes beyond the call of duty to assist victims of domestic violence.
• Majlinda (Kukes) -- The story of a young woman from Kukes who studied in Tirana and abroad but returned to her provincial home town to make her contribution in the field of higher education.

In October, the project organized a national conference with representatives from business, government, and civil society to discuss tangible, long-lasting initiatives to help Albanian woman and girls throughout the country. 

USAID is currently requesting proposals from Albanian civil society organization to conduct a range of small-scale projects to address and remedy the issues raised at the conference, the roundtables and in the documentaries.