On Tuesday, October 27, the salon on the topic: “How much are the needs of women included in the package for economic recovery?” was held.
Due to the economic crisis caused by COVID-19, the Kosovo Assembly has managed to pass the first reading of the economic recovery package. This package, like many laws, strategies and documents in Kosovo, lacks the gender perspective. The reasons why women are most affected by crises are many, such as: women earn less than men, women’s economic inactivity, family heritage that continues to remain the norm and other reasons that affect the socio-economic position of women in Kosovo.
During the discussion it was emphasized that the package for economic recovery is a draft law that is mainly dedicated to businesses and very little affects the general interest of the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo. For entrepreneurs women in Kosovo, except that the environment for doing business is restrictive, they are at a disadvantage with men who lead businesses. It is important to create more space for entrepreneurs women in our country and at the same time provide them with institutional support so that they can more easily keep their businesses active.
Among other things, during the salon it was emphasized that even without the presence of a pandemic, the percentage of women who are active in the labor market is very low, so knowing this fact it is important that every government should consider before drafting laws , to first do a gender analysis of how women are specifically affected. A response to any possible economic crisis should take into account the gender perspective, and consequently the position of women in society.
Part of the panel in this Salon were: Arbëreshë Kryeziu Hyseni, MP, Lëvizja Vetëvendosje and Adelina Tërshani, Project Coordinator, Kosovo Women’s Network. The salon was moderated by Mirishahe Syla, a gender researcher, from whom the editorial will be drafted.