Message from Members of the Regional Women’s Lobby for Peace, Security and Justice in South-East Europe on upcoming Elections in Kosovo

Kosovo is on the brink of a new era.  Kosovo’s upcoming elections on November 17th give us a chance to prove to ourselves, to women and men from our international coalitions for peace and justice and to the entire international community, our readiness to build a just and sustainable peace and inclusive democracy.  The strongest way to send this message is by electing a parliament on the basis of full gender equality. Kosovo’s political parties are presenting lists on which women are at least one third of candidates but the most powerful step is to vote for women, as voters can make selections from these lists.

This is an opportunity to send a clear message about our confidence in women as political representatives and political leaders: we can chose women in equal numbers with men. It is also our responsibility as women to make it possible.

Today the global average percentage of seats held by women in national assemblies is just 17.4%. Not a single country has full parity between women and men in their top national decision-making forum but a few of them come close to: three Nordic countries have over 40% women in national assemblies (Sweden has 47.3%), and the world leader for women’s representation is Rwanda, with 48.8%.  50% of women in parliament is still a goal which needs to be achieved. The elections in Kosovo offer an opportunity for increasing women’s participation both in Kosovo context and in the region (in SEE women’s average participation is at a low 16%, in Kosovo it is currently 30%).

Women are in a position to bring new programs, interests, values, and capabilities to the public decision-making area.  In a post-conflict context like Kosovo, women’s contribution to decision-making processes at all levels should be a political interest of all citizens and especially valued. Fresh perspectives and solutions are needed to long-standing concerns and challenges faced by our region.  We are aware that up to now there has been little effort in ensuring that women representatives are involved in the on-going status talks but we are aware even more that women’s inclusion is not a self-assumed principle.

 At local government levels, where women have a great deal to offer in terms of problem-solving and community recovery, Kosovo has just two women out of 30 heads of local administration and of 30 municipal assembly presidents none are women.

At the moment when the world is poised to hear a decision on Kosovo’s status, and at the moment when all our countries are looking to build strong relationships with the European Union and NATO, a democratic parity of women with men in Kosovo’s assembly would send an unmistakable message about Kosovo’s readiness for a fresh start.  As members of the Regional Women’s Lobby for Peace, Security and Justice in South-East Europe, we are ready to strengthen and build peace and respect of values of different cultural communities, support reconciliation among people and individuals, and create a new future for Kosovo and all the region of South-East Europe.  We are ready to demonstrate the ability of our political institutions to modernize, to democratize, and to respect the human rights of all.

Too often, the urgent challenge of ensuring stability and constitutional frame is put before the need to build inclusive and democratic processes.  The consequences of this in the long term can be devastating and can postpone the development of an egalitarian and inclusive society.  Let us not put women as well as the human rights agenda in second place.  Give women a chance to lead.  Kosovo has already shown the way in building a police force with 16% representation of women, including 10% in high ranking positions – these figures are higher than the regional average and as high as or higher than many countries in Europe. Let Kosovo be the first in Europe to elect a 50% female parliament.  Let this be a powerful step toward a democratic future for Kosovo and for the entire region.

Members of the Regional Women’s Lobby for Peace, Security and Justice in South-East Europe: Meliha Alic, Sonja Biserko, Nada Drobnjak, Natasa Kandic, Biljana Kasic, Nekibe Kelmendi, Vera Markovic, Natasa Micic, Irina Pockova, Liljana Radovanovic, Igballe Rogova, Edita Tahiri, Teuta Sahatqija, Gordana Sobol, Luljeta Vuniqi, Stasa Zajovic, Marieta Zaqe, Memnuna Zvizdic.

The Regional Women’s Lobby for Peace, Security and Justice in South-East Europe was established in 2006 with support from UNIFEM. The Lobby promotes advocacy and political action to advance peace and stability in the region, including full implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, which calls for increased representation of women at all decision-making levels. The group includes members from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. Its members are prominent women leaders, including politicians, members of parliaments, holders of governmental or public positions, as well as representatives from civil society.