On the 26th of May was introduced a new initiative to ensure the protection and promotion of the Women Rights, especially in the field of peace and security in Albania. This project supported by the Fund for Gender Equality UN Women aims to pave the way for the creation of an action plan and strategy for the implementation of Resolution 1325 of the Security Council of the United Nations, by engaging policy makers, civil society and general public.
The Project “Resolution 1325, Women’s Right from the Concept to the Albanian Reality” will be implemented by the Association for Women with Social Problems, in partnership with the Swedish organization “Operation 1325”.
The presentation of this project, in Tirana, was attended by the representatives of UN Women Albania, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth, State Police, representatives of Dutch and Swedish embassies, leaders and representatives of local government from the districts of Berat, Vlore Shkodra, Lezha, Kukes and Tirana, where the project will be implemented, as well as representatives of civil society and media. The Executive Director of AWSP Ms. Bajana Ceveli, by highlighting the importance of Resolution 1325, invited all the participant to be active partner in the project for the recognition of the Resolution and its implementation in Albania.
This project follows the initiative of the Association of Women supported by the Netherland Embassy in Tirana, for the implementation of Resolution 1325 in the regions of Durres, Korca, and Elbasan, by extending the project in six other districts in the country. The Participants were introduced to the project and the importance of taking concrete steps for the implementation of Resolution 1325 in our country. During the presentation was emphasized the need for drafting a National Action Plan for the Resolution.
The Representative of UN Women Office for Albania, Ms. Collette Donadio welcomed the initiative taken by the association, and ensuring the monitoring and supporting of the campaign for information and advocacy together with the Dutch Embassy, to provide a territorial extension in the country. Further, Ms.Annika Schabbauer, representative of the organization "Operation 1325", briefly brought the Swedish experience and the organization that she represents, as part of the women's movement globally. She highlighted that sustainable peace is impossible without the participation of women so it is important that all member states of the UN to work in the spirit of the Resolution, focusing on the four pillars under it, dealing with the increase of the participation of women at all levels of decision-making; protection of women and girls from sexual and gender based violence; empowering women by improving intervention strategies and their implementation in the prevention of violence against them, as well as addressing international crises through gender perspective.
Representatives of ministries and civil society participating in the meeting shared their experiences regarding the work done in terms of gender mainstreaming, as well as the difficulties faced by women to get in career in occupations that are still considered as men one. Meanwhile, representatives of the Ministry of Defense and the State Police highlighted the achievements obtained for increasing the number of girls and women in the Armed Forces and State Police, as well as promoting them in careers. The project for the recognition of Resolute 1325 "Women, Peace and Security" and promoting the development of a National Action Plan in the field of security and defense has found the support of actors participating in this first meeting that precedes the numerous activities in all regions to ensure recognition and concrete implementation of the Resolute, seen not only in view of national security, also socially, family and individual
