Democracy for Development (D4D), in cooperation with the Center for Equality and Justice, is organizing meetings ahead of the local elections, focusing on the challenges faced by women in politics and the media.

The first meeting was held in the Municipality of Prizren, with the participation of representatives from political parties, municipal election assemblies, civil society organizations, and the media. Discussions highlighted that women continue to face numerous barriers: hesitation to openly express their views, lack of clear platforms from political parties, financial obstacles, widespread prejudice, and derogatory language on social media.

Challenges within political parties were also emphasized, including issues with electoral districts, the patriarchal nature of political structures, and the significant gender imbalance. Expectations for women are often higher, while gender quotas are frequently perceived as merely formal. Participants stressed that genuine change requires substantial social and educational policies, as well as concrete support to ensure that women have real space and equal influence in decision-making processes.

This activity is carried out within the framework of the project “She Leads: Combating Hate Speech and Promoting Women in Local Leadership”, supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kosovo.