Albania shares best practices in the largest forum on gender equality and women’s rights
Date:
A delegation from Albania participated at the 63rd session of the Commission on the Status of Women, which was organized in New York from 11- 22 March under the theme, “Social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls”. The Minister of Health and Social Protection, Ogerta Manastirliu and other officials in the ministry constituted the Albanian delegation who attended the sessions.
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the United Nations' largest gathering of representatives of the UN Member States, civil society organizations and other international entities to discuss emerging issues affecting gender equality and women's rights and to establish consensus and policy actions on these issues.
A side event dedicated to “Advancing Social Entrepreneurship as a women’s Economic Empowerment enabler” was organized by the Permanent Mission of Albania, Greece and Italy in the United Nations, in cooperation with UN Women. Gender-related best practices of social entrepreneurship with case studies of successful solutions from Albania, Italy and Greece, were presented during the side event.
Social enterprises hold huge potential for accelerating attainment of ambitious 2030 Agenda targets. Great to learn more at #CSW63 about the fantastic work being done in 🇦🇱 🇮🇹 🇬🇷 by and for women. 🙏 to @GManastirliu @ItalyUN_NY @GRUN_NY @AlMissionUN pic.twitter.com/jKkvhDEiS6
— Alia El-Yassir (@elyassir_alia) March 12, 2019
Delighted to start my official visit to NY in UN Women HQ. Thank you Director Maria Noel Vaeza for acknowledging the leadership of the #AlbanianGov in women & girls empowerment and GBR. Looking forward to further cooperation in the future for the benefit of women world wide. pic.twitter.com/EaKolaD96h
— Ogerta Manastirliu (@GManastirliu) March 11, 2019
“Only by introducing innovative policies we can accelerate the SDGs targets”, highlighted Minister Ogerta Manastirliu.
UN Women Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, Alia El-Yassir noted that social enterprises command huge potential in accelerating the attainment of ambitious 2030 Agenda targets. “It was great to learn more at CSW about the fantastic work being done in Albania, Italy and Greece by and for women.”
The Albanian delegation also met with UN Women Director of Programme Division, Maria-Noel Vaeza during which the country’s significant achievements in women´s political participation and gender responsive budgeting were recognized. The delegation highlighted the successful adoption of the first National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security, which was approved in late 2018 and the work carried out through the EU-funded programme to eliminate violence against women. The prevalence of violence against women remains a topical issue in Albania. The meeting also focused on the country’s plans and future activities toward gender- responsive budgeting, strategies and action plans on gender equality.
In concluding, the two-week meeting, UN Member States expressed their strong commitment to safeguard and improve women’s and girls’ access to social protection systems, public services and sustainable infrastructure, as well as ensuring that their design and delivery is transformed to prevent discrimination and create a ‘level playing field’ for women and girls.