UN Agencies in Albania Launch 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

25 November 2024- On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, UN Agencies in Albania highlight the importance of implementing existing legislation, investing in prevention, and supporting survivors. According to the latest prevalence survey, almost one in two women in Albania has experienced violence in their lifetime. In the first nine months of this year, 2,923 women reported violence. Over 3,800 women sought help from the Counseling Line for Women and Girls: While the 12% increase compared to last year indicates that gender-based violence remains widespread, it also suggests that trust in the protection system available to victims is on the rise.

For next year, over 64 million lek have been allocated for social housing to support 970 survivors of violence, including women and single-parent families. Additionally, 733 million lek will be used to enforce 2,900 emergency protection orders. However, unlocking further investments remain essential to expand prevention efforts and survivor support services.

The UN Agencies in Albania, under the Joint Program on Ending Violence Against Women, supported by Sweden and more recently also by the UK, have assisted over 1,000 survivors during 2024 with free legal aid, psychological counseling, and reintegration services. 650 members of the local level Coordinated Referral Mechanisms are better able to respond to the needs of victims and women at risk of abuse. And UN agencies have supported the engagement of hundreds of young activists to challenge conservative norms and stereotypes about gender roles, which continue to spiral abuse.

“Gender-based violence continues to be widespread, in Albania and elsewhere, with no country in the world getting even close to eradicating it. Violence not only has negative consequences for women but also for families, communities y and the society at large. It has tremendous costs, from greater health care and legal expenses and losses in productivity, impacting national budgets and overall development”, said Fiona McCluney, UN Resident Coordinator in Albania at the opening of the campaign.

16 Days of Activism in Albania

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and Albania is commemorating the occasion with a landmark Bike Tour spanning 16 municipalities. For the first time in the country, the campign will feature a bicycle relay to promote the message #NoExcuse for violence against women and girls. Covering a distance of 1,140 kilometers between municipalities, the bicycle tour will start in Tirana and end in Gjirokaster. Activities will be organized in each municipality along the way, engaging activists, local leaders, and citizens. The initiative symbolizes unity, resilience, and the collective journey toward a violence-free society.

Hundreds of sports and artistic events in public spaces, in schools and community-led initiatives from north to south aim to raise awareness and mobilize action. The campaign, symbolized by the color orange, seeks to break harmful stereotypes, challenge gender roles, and actively engage the public in rejecting all forms of violence.

The 16 Days of Activism runs until Human Rights Day on 10 December. It is a call to action for everyone to unite against violence. A national social media campaign to speak up against gender-based violence has been launched using #NoExcuse and #16Days.

‘Violence against women and girls is not inevitable: These 16 days are a key opportunity to expand the public conversation on this issue and galvanize action against all forms of violence. Together, today and everyday, we can make a difference!’ concluded UN Resident Coordinator Fiona McCluney at the presentation of the campaign.

To view the Albanian version, click here.