Stories and perspectives to empower rural women through development projects, closing event for the 16 days against Gender-Based Violence campaign in Albania

Skoder, December 11, 2024_An awareness event about women’s condition in Northern Albania took place last Wednesday, December 11 at Migjeni Theatre in Skoder. Stories related to socio-economic disadvantages and success, along with testifies delivered by women in need of social protection and gender empowerment have been shared with a wide audience, in the framework of development projects funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.

Opening remarks have been delivered by Italian Deputy Ambassador to Albania Luigi Mattirolo, AICS Tirana Head of Office Stefania Vizzaccaro and Elisabeta Koza, representative from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection. In the three speeches a clear willing to foster partnership and institutional support to Albanian women against economic subordination and poverty emerged, which often leads to gender-based violence.

During the ceremony 2 new development projects focusing on rural development and women empowerment, funded by AICS Tirana and implemented on the one hand by UN Women and on the other by Italian civil society organizations CIES and COSPE, in partnership with local organizations Gruaja tek Gruaja e Hapa te Lehte, have been presented through conversations to the audience. Ten municipalities will be partner of these initiatives, with the specific aim to reach beneficiaries in the most remote areas of Northern Albania.

Music performances by 2 young talents from Shkoder, Rozeta Lekaj (piano) e Klotilda Matija (violin).