Gender equality, as one of the fundamental components of inclusive societies, has a direct effect in strengthening democracies. When electoral and political processes are gender-inclusive, the interests of both genders are incorporated at all levels. Kosovo’s legal framework promotes gender equality in decision making, in the public as well as in the private sector.

However, there are still many challenges to ensure the inclusion of women in electoral and political processes. The 30% gender quota for candidate lists have resulted in more women being directly elected without the need of the quota. For the first time, in the 2014 Parliamentary Elections, 20 out of 39 women members of parliament did not need the quota to be elected for these position. However, while a growing number of women are elected in the Parliament, their inclusion in electoral processes lags behind. In the same elections, the percentage of electoral staff filled by women was only 20%, marking a small increase from the 17% in the municipal elections in 2013. The percentage of women in field level management positions is even lower.
Aside from ensuring that the basic rights of both genders are respected, women’s inclusion in electoral and political processes, has multiple benefits for all of us and contributes towards better governance. This manual provides background information on the legal framework and identifies the barriers to and benefits of inclusion of women in electoral and political processes. The manual also provides solutions tailored to each relevant organisation, in order to catalyse progress in the issue of women’s inclusion and help each stakeholder make significant steps towards gender equality.