Women in the Rule of Law Women in the Rule of Law Foreword

WOMEN IN THE RULE OF LAW WOMEN IN THE RULE OF LAW FOREWORD Since its deployment in 2008, the European Kosovo has already taken significant steps Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) towards gender equality by establishing has been assisting Kosovo authorities to a comprehensive and progressive legal develop and further strengthen the Rule of framework, broadly aligned with international Law sector. As a fundamental right and a and EU standards. However, we all know that principle of the European Union as a whole, it takes a lot of efforts and genuine willingness gender equality is also an integrated objective to implement these laws in practice. There is of EULEX and the mission is fully committed still much more to be done to remove gender to mainstreaming a gender perspective in preconceptions that can limit the life choices its internal and external actions. Improving of men and women. It requires changes in gender equality within our own structure both attitudes and perceptions among men as well as fully supporting Kosovo’s efforts and women, inside the institutions, and in the towards decreasing gender discrepancies is society as a whole. part of our daily work. While recognising that there is still a long This can be a challenge, particularly since the way to go, it is important to acknowledge rule of law is traditionally a male-dominated positive developments. Within EULEX, we have sector. In Kosovo, as in the rest of the world, now reached gender parity among senior women face structural and invisible barriers to management staff. In Kosovo, networks of access positions and advance their careers in women working within law enforcement this sector due to gender prejudices embedded agencies have been created and work to in the institutions as well as in the society. UN support women in their career development Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, and to challenge gender prejudices at the Peace and Security (2000) recognises the workplace and in their society. importance of women’s participation in peace- I would like to commend the women featured building and reconstruction. As part of our in this book for their inspirational work and commitment to this Resolution, we have been their valuable contributions to advance gender encouraging the inclusion of women in rule equality. But I would also like to recognize also of law institutions, including in leadership the efforts of every man and woman, boy and positions, both in Kosovo and within EULEX. girl not portrayed here that champion gender Indeed, UNSCR 1325 recognizes that men, equality in their daily work. It is crucial to give a women, boys and girls have different needs voice to these role-models to build an inclusive and face different security threats. Thus, it is Rule of Law sector where gender equality and crucial that public institutions reflect different equal opportunities are at the heart of all needs and threats within the society in order institutions. Through this book, EULEX Kosovo to be able to deliver appropriate and effective hopes to take one step towards this goal and responses to anyone who seeks justice and to inspire every man, woman, girl and boy in accountability. Kosovo to pursue any career they choose and any goal they aim to in their life. Alexandra Papadopoulou Head of Mission, EULEX 3 INTRODUCTION One is not born, but rather becomes, all work tirelessly to highlight the importance a woman. of gender equality. This book is one small Simone de Beauvoir contribution to bring more visibility to these efforts. This book is dedicated to all the brave and talented women working hard to implement As Lina points out, “I sometimes hear that the and strengthen the Rule of Law in Kosovo. time is not right to talk about gender equality These stories are about their expectations, their in Rule of Law institutions, but it’s never too struggle to achieve their goals and find their early to talk about it. Women should be part of place in the world. These stories are about their the process from the start and this book shows wishes for Kosovo too. that there are many women that are eager and talented to make a meaningful contribution.” Launching this project, four years ago, I never imagined there would be so much common EULEX remains determined to engage with a ground amongst us. We are all the time trying to variety of local institutions to improve gender refine the balancing act of life, family and work. equality in Kosovo. Over the years our efforts The subtle lines of what society expects from have focused on increasing the capacity of the us and what we want to do for ourselves are judiciary, police and prosecutors to investigate defining this juggling act, regardless the place and prosecute crimes of gender-based violence. where we come from. EULEX has also assisted in a series of workshops that have addressed topics surrounding Despite the progress that we have made, we domestic violence and further helped in training mustn’t forget that there is still work left to be Kosovo authorities to appropriately respond to done. Women in Kosovo are still far from being issues of gender. integrated into society and the numbers from the Rule of Law sector reflect this. Only fourteen We continue to listen to and advocate for those percent of police officer roles and ten percent of who are actively working to address gender decision-making positions are held by women. inequality. Supporting local organisations Whilst stressing the importance of gender and initiatives has helped set the foundation equality as a matter of women’s overall welfare for progress and encouraged future women’s and security, we must continue to encourage participation in strengthening the rule of law in and support women’s participation in the rule Kosovo. of law not only in Kosovo but here within the Most importantly, a final thank you to everyone EULEX Mission. who helped to make this publication possible Within the Mission, our gender adviser Lina and as we celebrate the inspirational women Andeer facilitates the mainstreaming of gender featured, we remember that the work ahead is together with a network of Gender Focal Points for all of us, together. from different professional backgrounds who Dragana Nikolic Solomon Head of Press and Public Information Office, EULEX 5 Protecting Kosovo’s Constitution is an Enormous Privilege ‘The Constitution doesn’t guarantee To get where she is, Ms Rama-Hajrizi happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have completed her bachelor studies at the to catch up with it yourself’, said Benjamin University of Pristina and then continued Franklin, one of the America’s leading her law studies in the United States, at forefathers. Arta Rama-Hajrizi, President the Washington College of Law where of Kosovo’s Constitutional Court has she completed the Law and Government given, through her own example, another Programme. She is currently completing meaning to the famous quote. her PhD in Constitutional Law at the University of Pristina. To her, the Constitution is actually a form of happiness, passion and commitment – It was a stepping stone for Ms Rama- a pursuit to which she devoted her entire Hajrizi’s career when she represented career and large portion of her life. As Kosovo in 2014 at the Venice Commission, a child, she felt the zest to study either an advisory body of the Council of Europe, medicine or human rights. However, composed of independent experts in the field of constitutional law. Rama-Hajrizi’s choice changed as a result of the conflict in Kosovo in the nineties. Another significant experience and Her resolution to fight to preserve a life opportunity that paved Arta’s way to the transformed into a passion to protect top of the Constitutional Court was her it through the rule of law, adherence to four years’ experience as the first Consul human rights and equality. General of the Republic of Kosovo to New York. “My personal driving force is a combination of my studies and years of experience of “After four wonderful years in New York, working abroad. From my professional I was ready and willing to return to my and cultural prospective I support profession. I was appointed a Judge Kosovo’s liberal spirits, in particular its at the Constitutional Court of Kosovo. young people eager to see their country Climbing up the ladder to become the being part of the European Union. My President of the Court was a result of true motivation increases when I see ordinary commitment, hard work, respect and trust people’s growing awareness of their that I’ve earned among my fellow Judges constitutional rights and obligations. This during the first three years of work as a Judge”, says Rama-Hajrizi. is the basis of our democracy and the main driver of economic growth in our country”, In a world where women’s voices are points out Ms Rama-Hajrizi. growing stronger every day, where 6 feminism is no longer an unknown and experience in America had a profound When asked if it was more challenging misunderstood term, the stakes are high influence and opened doors to a whole to be a mother or a President of the when you are on the top of the rule of new concept of understanding the law Constitutional Court, Rama-Hajrizi law ladder like Ms Rama-Hajrizi. “The and different legal systems. responds: “Finding a way to enjoy both is secret behind any success is hard work, sometimes harder than working on most Part of the challenge is to compare, analyse commitment, professionalism and being complicated cases at the Court.

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