Open Forum on Women’s Participation in Politics

The Albanian Coalition for Promotion of Women, Youth and Minorities in Politics, under the framework of the Programme “Promotion of Democracy and Good Governance through Political Parties in Albania”, organised on Saturday, April 6 the Open Forum “Local Elections 2007 and Participation of Women and Young Girls in the Political Processes in Albania”, funded by Olof Palme International Center and Sida. The Forum aims at debating the latest Call of the “A woman for President of Albania” Coalition and the issue of women’s participation and representations in the latest local elections. The Forum was attended by 30 representatives of Women’s organisations at Political Parties and civil society in Albania. Mr. Altin Hazizaj, Director of CRCA and moderator of the Forum, read the Call “A woman for President”, an initiative of the Coalition made public few days before. The Call raised a great interest and debate among the participants, who evaluated positively this initiative of the Coalition, while suggesting approaches and methodologies that may be followed up in order to succeed. Then the floor was open to leaders of Women’s organisations from Political Parties in Albania such as: Marjeta Zaçe – Chairwoman of Women’s Forum of Democratic Party (also vice Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities); Natasha Paço – acting-Chairwoman of Women’s Forum of Socialist Party; and Brizida Gjikondi – representative of Socialist Movement for Integration. Each of them presented the achievements of the Forums during Local Elections 2007 in Albania. However they expressed their concerns that although many initiatives have taken place during the election period, still the number of women candidates was very low. At the second part of the Open Forum, Elona Gjebrea, Director of Albanian Center for Population and Development (ACPD) presented a report on the work of the Coalition during 2006 and new priorities and activities of the coordinating organisations for 2007 in support of women and young girls at the political processes of Albania. At the closure of the Forum the discussions were focused on the need to have a joint strategy of civil society and political forums, also when it comes to the Petition “Quota 30” in order to make it possible that the proposed changes by the Coalition to be approved by the new electoral commission that will be established soon at the Albanian Parliament.