Kosovo's New Govt Includes Most Women Since Independence

Six women have been appointed by Kosovo's new government in leadership posts. Among the six women is Vjosa Osmani who will be the first woman Speaker of the Assembly in Europe's youngest nation. The other five women were appointed as ministers in the Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Local Government. This is the highest percentage of women in the country's government since its liberation and end of the war in Kosovo.

Some takeaways:

• At 18 percent, Kosovo has the lowest rate of women in the workforce around the world.
• Kosovo Women's Network presented Osmani with a list of demands that they hope she will address in her mandate.
• Albin Kurti, the 44-year-old leader of the Self-Determination Movement won the most votes to become prime minister of Kosovo in February and formed the new government.

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It was the first time that people were openly speaking up saying 'we want women'.

Albin Kurti, the 44-year-old leader of the Self-Determination Movement won the most votes to become prime minister of Kosovo earlier in February and formed the new government. Vjosa told Al Jazeera "Every single law that comes to the assembly should be seen through the gender lens."

"The government program, which we drafted together, focuses quite a lot on creating such conditions for women in our society to find a job and get economically empowered. You will see us talking and fighting for gender equality, no matter what the topic in the assembly and in the government is," Vjosa added.

Igballe Rugova, executive director of the Kosovo Women's Network said, "It was the first time that people were openly speaking up saying 'we want women'." She also said "They are women with experience. They are women with courage."

Igballe is hopeful that the new government will change the development of the economy. "I really have high hopes that the situation will start slowly to change concerning the development of the economy because, for me, development of the economy is the key to fighting violence, having better health, life and education," she said.  At 18 percent, Kosovo has the lowest rate of women in the workforce around the world.

"You will see us talking and fighting for gender equality, no matter what the topic in the assembly and in the government is."

Kosovo Women's Network presented Osmani with a list of demands that they hope she will address in her mandate. Their demands include allocation of a permanent budget for shelters for survivors of gender-based violence, and parental leave.

Albulena Haxhiu, the new health minister of Kosovo has promised to address issues like recognizing survivors of rape from the Kosovo war and moving forward with their old cases.

Picture Credit: Al Jazeera

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Mansi is an Intern at SheThePeople.TV