Changing gender politics in the Western Balkans was the theme that brought together eight young Balkan leaders to participate in a lively discussion co-hosted by NDI and the National Albanian American Council (NAAC).
Topics ranging from gender quotas for elected office to social implications of gender equity were posed by NDI’s Aleksandra Pajevic, the Institute’s field director in Albania, who moderated the session called “Women in Government, Access to Power.”
The panel of eight 2009 NAAC Hope Fellows – a program established in 2001 with USAID funding – did not speak with a unified voice, each drawing upon his or her personal experiences regarding gender relations in Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia.
Given recent elections in Albania and Macedonia, and elections set for later this year in Kosovo, discussants each struck a similar chord about the need for greater political participation by women in the Western Balkans, which has among the lowest rates in Europe of women elected or appointed to office. Their stories, however, were as diverse as their roles that range from work in Albania’s Department of Tourism to the Central Bank of Kosovo.
The slideshow below features photographs taken during the discussion. To read more about the people pictured, click on the images.
The Hope Fellowship program works to strengthen women’s policy and decision-making skills in the Balkans through educational opportunities and leadership development in the public and private sectors. With USAID and NED funding, NDI has supported women’s political participation throughout the Balkans since 1991 as part of comprehensive democracy support programs.
Event Date and Time:
July 9, 2009, from 12:30-2:00 p.m.
Hope Fellows/2009
- Vilma Petro – director, Policy Development, Strategic Planning and Donor Coordination Department, Korca, Albania
- Sofjola Kotelli – director of economic development, Marketing/Tourism Department, Korca, Albania
- Rozafa Ukimeraj – director of Local Self-Government Department, Ministry of Local Government, Pristina, Kosovo
- Valon Lepaja – procurement specialist, Central Bank, Pristina, Kosovo
- Arbreshe Meha – acting finance and administration task manager, Lignite to Power Technical Assistance Project (World Bank), Pristina, Kosovo
- Afrim Krkuti – chief of staff to CEO of Macedonian Post, Skopje, Macedonia
- Sladjana Marjanovikj Panovska – program manager, NDI, Skopje, Macedonia
- Ardiana Maraj – regional program assistant, Hope Fellowship, NAAC, Pristina, Kosovo
