Albania and its partners take steps towards gender-equal governance in public institutions
Ensuring that public policies work equally well for women and men is not only a matter of fairness but also a key step in Albania’s path toward the European Union. Across health, justice and public administration governance with a focus on anticorruption measures, Albanian institutions are taking concrete steps to make this a reality, with support from UN Women through the EU for Gender Equality Project, funded by the European Union.
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Eighty-four public officials took part in a series of workshops on integrating gender equality into public policies and services on the occasion of International Women’s Day. Representatives from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Justice, and the Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption came together with the European Union and UN Women Albania to discuss the Gender Mainstreaming Guidance Notes in justice, health and anti-corruption.
These practical tools, developed under the EU for Gender Equality Project, help institutions design policies and services that respond to the different needs and experiences of women and men, girls and boys. Albania’s new Law on Gender Equality now requires all public institutions to integrate gender equality into their policies and planning. The workshops and guidance aim to support institutions in putting these legal obligations into practice.
Grounded in EU standards and aligned with global commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 on gender equality and SDG 16 on effective and accountable institutions, the guidance notes are tailored to Albania’s context.
Across the three workshops, participants explored how a gender lens can be applied in practice, from improving health services and strengthening access to justice, to enhancing transparency and accountability in public administration. The focus was on practical tools: assessing the gender impact of laws before their adoption, collecting data that reflects real-life experiences, and setting measurable targets to track progress over time.
A shared commitment to European and global standards
Gender equality is both a core value of the European Union and a central pillar of the work of the United Nations. For UN Women, supporting countries to translate these commitments into action means bridging global standards with national efforts to advance gender equality in practice.
Through the EU for Gender Equality Project, funded by the European Union, UN Women works closely with Government of Albania to ensure that reforms are not only aligned with EU requirements but also contribute to advancing women’s rights and opportunities in everyday life. Albania has already established a strong legal framework for gender equality, and these workshops mark an important step toward putting that framework into practice, strengthening institutions so they can deliver services that are fair, inclusive and responsive to all.
As Albania advances its justice reforms, Deputy Minister of Justice Elona Hoxha highlighted: “The integration of a gender perspective is no longer merely an objective of public policy but an essential standard of the rule of law and a necessary component of Albania’s European integration path. A justice system that aspires to be fair and credible must also be inclusive and responsive to the gender dimension.”
The workshops also highlighted the link between gender equality and public integrity. When institutions are transparent and accountable, they serve citizens better. Bringing a gender perspective into anti-corruption efforts is therefore not only a governance priority but also a key step toward achieving more inclusive and effective institutions. Emphasizing this approach, Rovena Pregja, Director General of Anti-Corruption Policies, stated:
“Integrity in public administration and the integration of a gender perspective are closely interconnected processes. The Intersectoral Anti-Corruption Strategy 2024-2030 addresses this dimension as a key component for strengthening corruption prevention mechanisms and increasing public trust, in line with European Union standards.”
Highlighting the importance of practical tools to support institutions, Erisa Çela, Head of Programme at UN Women Albania, said: “To ensure that women and men fully enjoy their human rights and to address gender imbalances in power and resources, it is important to integrate a gender perspective into anti-corruption efforts. This guide supports policymakers and practitioners with concrete tools and good practices to make this possible.”
Regarding the health sector, the Director of Directorate for Gender Equality of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms. Etleva Sheshi, highlighted:
“In the health sector, gender integration is particularly important, as it directly affects the quality of life, well-being, and development of the entire society. Health policies that take the gender dimension into account contribute to improving health services, reducing inequalities, and creating a more equitable and inclusive system. Gender equality in social protection and health ensures that women and men have equal access to insurance, benefits, and health services.”
The partnership between Albanian institutions, the European Union and UN Women reflect a shared commitment: to build public institutions that work for everyone. The tools and guidance developed through the #EU4GE project are designed to support this work beyond the workshops themselves, helping institutions continue to strengthen their policies and services over time, and bringing the country closer to both its European aspirations and the global goal of gender equality.