With nearly 30 years of reporting on crime, justice, and social issues, journalist Anila Hoxha is a leading voice for women silenced by violence in Albania. As a long-time member of the UN Women Media Forum, she sheds light on femicide, economic injustice, and gender inequality through her investigations, podcasts, and advocacy.

As Albania celebrates three decades since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration, the country continues to make strides in gender equality. An inspiring intergenerational dialogue at a recent event brought together key stakeholders from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, United Nations Albania, the EU Delegation, and other partners, alongside passionate feminist activists from all generations.

In Berat, Albania, Nadire Hyseni’s journey showcases the impact of participatory gender budgeting. With UN Women’s support and Swiss funding, women from marginalized communities are advocating for their needs and influencing local decisions.

In Albania, parents and young mothers are shaping their communities through participatory decision-making. With UN Women's support, the "Today for the Future" Community Development Center helps them advocate for their needs and influence public budgets.

UN Women Albania, in partnership with the Government, civil society, international partners, and UN agencies, marked this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against GBV under the theme #NoExcuse – UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls. Activities included awareness campaigns, exhibitions, an award ceremony, youth initiatives, and private sector collaborations.

In this interview, Ulsi Manja, Minister of Justice of Albania, highlights the government's commitment to advancing gender equality through the justice system. He discusses the importance of gender-responsive budgeting, ongoing efforts to address the needs of women and girls, and key interventions such as free legal aid, humane conditions in penal institutions, and measures to combat gender-based violence.

People's Advocate along with the support of UN Women released a report on the killings of women and girls, as well as femicide, revealing that 32 women were killed between 2021-2023.

The UN’s November 2024 Flagship Report on Disability and Development calls for accessible services, better data collection, and inclusive policies.

Women and girls with disabilities in Albania are not only faced with physical and structural barriers but also with the often less visible yet pervasive threat of gender-based violence. On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, they shared their stories of resilience, despite numerous challenges.

United Nations Agencies in Albania, alongside government institutions, civil society, and citizens, kick off the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence under the theme #NoExcuse – Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls.

Monika Kocaqi has dedicated twenty-five years to preventing gender-based violence (GBV) in Albania and her work is far from over. She has led groundbreaking initiatives, including the early implementation of the Domestic Violence Protection Law, overcoming skepticism and driving systemic change. Monika Kocaqi supported the establishment for the first time of the Coordinated Referral Mechanisms and enhanced the legal knowledge of professionals. She has been at the forefront of initiatives like gender-responsive budgeting to secure vital services for survivors of gender-based violence. Her extensive work includes authoring over forty training manuals, strategies, and research studies on GBV and gender mainstreaming in Albania and beyond.

Through the UN Joint Programme and UN Women’s intervention, nearly 500 women and children received support with healthcare, legal aid, counseling, vocational training, and housing, resulting in 69 women securing employment and over 250 families receiving rental assistance in Albania.

The media forum provided a dynamic space for knowledge exchange, interactive sessions, and collaboration with gender and human rights experts. Journalists were equipped with new tools to report on sensitive issues with accuracy and inclusivity, challenge harmful stereotypes, and adopt innovative approaches.

From 23 to 25 September, UN Women Europe and Central Asia Regional Director, Belen Sanz Luque, and the Deputy Regional Director, Elisa Fernandez Saenz conducted their first visit to Tirana to participate in the Beijing+30 International Conference and meet government representatives and funding partners in the country.

“Golden Hands” incubator will be used for processing fruit and vegetables, as well as packaging artisanal products from Southeastern Albania for distribution in the domestic market.

UN agencies, national and international partners, visit North Albania to assess progress of the UN Joint Programme on Ending Violence Against Women.

The week leading to International Women’s Day buzzed with various activities, ranging from a youth-led campaign addressing gender discrimination in the workplace to the launch of Albania's Femicide Watch. An interesting panel featuring only men offered intimate insights into their experiences with patriarchy, feminism, and women’s rights. These events, held in collaboration with governmental bodies, UN agencies, private sectors, and academia, underscored a collective effort to tackle gender inequality from various angles.

On International Women’s Day, the People’s Advocate in cooperation with UN Women launched the ‘Femicide Watch’. This first of its kind initiative will collect and analyze data at the national level to promote more effective policies and mechanisms to prevent gender-based killings of women.

Over the past decades, women and girls around the world have demolished barriers, dismantled stereotypes and driven progress towards more just and equal societies. Women’s rights were recognised as fundamental and universal human rights.

How a women’s rights organization and the National Employment and Skills Agency in Albania are joining forces to support women survivors of violence integrate in the job market.