The online platform PakTabu.org was launched this morning, and the results of the latest survey on persons with disabilities were presented to an audience of representatives of institutions, civil society, and human rights activists in Albania.
Accessible to persons with disabilities and inclusive by nature, the PakTabu platform represents a safe space for providing information about sexual and reproductive health, sharing experiences, and offering support to this specific target group.
The results of the survey on the accessibility of infrastructure, information, and communication in the municipalities of Dibër, Tirana, and Vlora were also released, highlighting the persistence of barriers that limit access to essential services and increase vulnerability to gender-based violence, particularly for women and girls with disabilities.
The platform and survey were developed as part of the project “Reducing gender-based violence and harmful practices through gender-sensitive governance,” funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and implemented by UNFPA, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Albania and (for this activity) the “Se Bashku” Foundation.
“Accessibility is not optional, but a fundamental right. Building inclusive systems means ensuring that every individual can access services, information, and protection without barriers,” stated Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Ina Majko, who then outlined the reforms currently underway, including the new Accessibility Law and the 2026-2030 National Action Plan.
Acting Head of AICS Tirana, Letizia Fischioni, stated that “for Italian Development Cooperation, strengthening the rights of persons with disabilities and combating gender-based violence are closely interconnected and represent cross-cutting priorities that require an integrated, multilevel, and participatory approach.”
First Secretary of the Commercial Office of the Italian Embassy in Tirana, Mario De Rosa, also spoke at the event, emphasizing that “Initiatives like this contribute to strengthening our understanding of the real needs of persons with disabilities and promote innovative tools to improve access to services and prevent situations of vulnerability, including through the use of digital technologies.” De Rosa also recalled the recent passing of Italian Paralympic champion Alex Zanardi, quoting his words: “When I woke up without my legs, I focused on what was left, not on what I had lost“—a message of resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
“People with disabilities, especially women and girls, must be empowered to make informed decisions about their bodies and their lives, free from violence and discrimination,” said Elsona Agolli, Program Analyst at UNFPA Albania.
