National Strategy on Gender Equality and Domestic Violence 2007-2010
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Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities NATIONAL STRATEGY ON GENDER EQUALITY AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 2007-2010 Translation © OSCE Presence in Albania. This is not an official translation. 1 A STRATEGY INTENDED FOR A SOCIETY BUILT ON GENDER EQUALITY AND WITHOUT VIOLENCE In July 2006, the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities (MOLSAEO) delivered an initiative to develop the National Strategy on Gender Equality and Domestic Violence along with an Action Plan, as indication of the political commitment of the Government of Albania to provide for the movement and achievement of gender equality with an instrument of policies synchronised with civil society initiatives. A fundamental civil right and a value shared by the European Union member countries, gender equality is a crucial stipulation to ensure Albania’s integration into the EU and to meet the employment and social cohesion goals under the MSA, which Albania signed in June 2006. In Albania, women have achieved high levels of education and have made progress in the labour market and public life. However, gender inequality is still a matter of concern in Albanian society. Due to the absence of suitable working hours, social services, obstacles attributable to traditional gender-related stereotypes and the societal masculine mindset, it places numerous women in the dilemma of having to choose between raising children and pursuing a career Albanian society has currently seen increased domestic violence perpetrated against women, children and the elderly. Studies show that violence unfolds in all forms: psychological violence, a form of domestic violence that occurs most frequently; economic violence that occurs primarily in urban areas; physical violence that occurs in rural areas and sexual violence that is not widely reported. Age groups 18-23 and 37-45 are subjected to greater domestic violence, with disabled women, migrant women, Roma women and rural women, being at a higher risk. Developing a National Strategy on Gender Equality and Domestic Violence was directed by the need to upgrade women’s status in Albania, to overcome gender-based hurdles and differentiation, to stick to the long and difficult path towards gender equality, to ensure compliance with gender equality-specific requirements and standards, and their incorporation into public policies and programmes, including the World Conference on Women, held in Beijing in 1995, Beijing +5, +10, the process of bringing the Albanian legislation into line with the EU legislation, and the Millennium Development Goals. The Strategy lays down the approaches and institutional mechanisms for mainstreaming gender issues into public policies, easing gender-based differences and preventing domestic violence. The Strategy consists of two parts: Gender Equality and Domestic Violence. Both topics are closely related, both revealing their own peculiarities. The main objectives contained in the Strategy are identified on the basis of current realities in the country Translation © OSCE Presence in Albania. This is not an official translation. 2 and the problems which are of the greatest concern to Albanian society. For them to be identified, the situation in 12 Prefectures across the country were reviewed and studies were conducted recently by governmental institutions, civil society, as well as gender equality and domestic violence experts, on the basis of the international standards underlying the Beijing Platform for Action, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and the Millennium Development Goals. The bottom line of the said Strategy was an inclusive process. During the course of this process, working groups comprised of representatives of central and local institutions and civil society, as well as gender issue experts, devised a draft of the project. Then discussion of the draft among stakeholders followed. The presentation of the draft Strategy for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and its Action Plan in November 2006, and of the draft Strategy on Gender Equality at the National Conference on “Gender Equality, Social Cohesion and Equal Opportunities,” convened in February 2007, was the final output that wrapped up a number of activities hosted in these discussions. The National Strategy on Gender Equality and Domestic Violence has an Action Plan attached to it that is broken down into goals, implementation measures, relevant budget and measurable indicators, as well as the time frames for their implementation. The National Plan also specifies the principal institutions and the partners responsible for each and every implementation measure. This major instrument and the laws adopted recently, including Law No. 9669, dated 18 December 2006, “On penalties for domestic violence,” and Law No. 9198, dated 1 July 2004, “On a gender-equal society,” that is being amended, make up an important basis of policies and legislation conducive to progress towards gender equality and violence-free families. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the contribution made by the international organisations, including the UN system organisations (UNFPA, UNIFEM, UNICEF and UNDP) and the OSCE who have had a major role to play in drafting this Strategy, and extend to them my gratitude for having provided us with technical and financial assistance. Special thanks goes to the Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Sali Berisha, who strongly supported this initiative, and personally honoured the National Conference “Gender Equality, Social Cohesion and Equal Opportunities,” in which the draft Strategy and Action Plan were presented, thus once again confirming the high priority given to the gender equality issues in the Government’s agenda. A thank you goes also to Mrs. Marieta Zaçe, Deputy Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, for the lead role she played and the significant and professional work she contributed in developing this important instrument. I would also like to extend my thanks to the coordination group of the project for developing the Strategy, the staff of the Gender Equality Sector under the Department for Equal Opportunities Policies, all the leaders and members of the working group involved in Translation © OSCE Presence in Albania. This is not an official translation. 3 the drafting of the said Strategy and Action Plan, as well as all those who offered cooperation in and contribution to this process. The Strategy is now in place. Thereafter, the challenge concerns its implementation. Koço BARKA Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities GROUPS INVOLVED IN DEVELOPING THE NATIONAL STRATEGY ON GENDER EQUALITY AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Mrs. Marieta Zaçe – Deputy Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, led the efforts for developing the National Strategy for Gender Equality and Domestic Violence. Directorate for Equal Opportunity Policies Translation © OSCE Presence in Albania. This is not an official translation. 4 Ms. Rajna Kovaçi – Director Ms. Valbona Jaupllari – staff Ms. Irena Benussi – staff Ms. Brunilda Dervishaj – staff Ms. Arta Sakja – Coordinator for Gender Equality Ms. Lulieta Dauti – Financial officer Ms. Aida Orgocka – Expert Ms. Mirela Muça – Expert Working Group – Gender Equality Gender equality in decision-making Ms. Lajla Pernaska, Ms. Jeta Katro, Ms. Yllka Selimi, Mr. Petro Koçi, Ms. Albana Imami, Ms. Mangalina Cane, Ms. Natasha Llanaj Women’s rights, legislation and institutional mechanism Ms. Kledia Mazniku, Ms. Brunilda Dervishaj, Ms. Rezana Balla, Ms. Ermira Deçka, Ms. Vitore Tusha, Ms. Alma Mehmeti, Mr. Ervin Pupe Women’s economic empowerment Ms. Arjana Misha, Ms. Merita Gjashta, Ms. Alketa Grepcka, Ms. Rajmonda Prifti, Ms. Neriana Zaimi, Ms. Ahmedie Daci Social care Ms. Meri Pone, Ms. Merita Xhumari, Ms. Valbona Jaupllari, Ms. Irena Benussi, Ms. Lantona Sado, Ms. Mira Trebicka, Ms. Dajana Berisha Education and elimination of gender discrepancies Ms. Antonieta Luli, Ms. Xhuli Jaho, Ms. Englantina Gjermeni, Ms. Saemira Pino, Ms. Eljona Kulluri, Ms. Lavdie Ruci, Ms. Migena Reçi Health care Mr. Naim Lusha, Ms. Nedime Ceka, Ms. Majlinda Murati, Ms. Elizana Petrela, Ms. Arjana Malltezi, Ms. Violeta Dhamo Women and the media Ms. Majlinda Bregu, Ms. Rajna Kovaçi, Ms. Alma Lahe, Ms. Antoneta Malja, Mr. Demir Gjergji, Ms. Elsa Xhai, Ms. Valdete Andoni Strategy Consultant Ms. Monika Kocaqi Ms. Orgesta Muço Centre of Gender Alliance for Development Ms. Eglantina Gjermeni – Manager of the Centre of Gender Alliance for Development Ms. Blerta Picari – Coordinator for domestic violence Working group – Prevention of Domestic Violence Ms. Arta Mandro, Ms. Aida Orgocka, Ms. Anxhela Gramo, Ms. Zhulieta Demi, Ms. Translation © OSCE Presence in Albania. This is not an official translation. 5 Arta Sakja, Ms. Mirela Muça, Ms. Emira Shkurti, Ms. Daklea Shtylla, Ms. Natasha Shehu Other Collaborators Centre for Women and Girls – Kombinat, Gruaja Kryefamiljare (Female Household Head) Association, Albanian Helsinki Committee – Tirana; Centre for Children’s Rights in Albania, Centre for Legal Initiative; Initiative for Women’s Rights, Në dobi të gruas shqiptare (In the Service of the Albanian Woman) Association, Centre for Multi-disciplinary Training on the Problem of Children’s Ill-treatment, the Shelter for Raped Women, the Counselling Centres for Women – Tirana, Elbasan, and Kukës; Association of Women with Social Problems – Durrës; Me Woman – Pogradec, Woman’s Forum – Elbasan; Centre for Population