Tirana, October 15, 2025 – Today marks the International Day of Rural Women, a relevant celebration in Albania, where social and economic disparities in the agricultural world are tangible, pushing for urgent policies in favor of rural women.
The Italian Development Cooperation is working on women and girls in rural and marginalized areas in the northern regions of the country through two initiatives launched by UN Women and the Italian civil society organizations CIES and COSPE. Launched at the end of last year with an event in Shkodër, these projects implement activities in collaboration with local institutions to improve local gender governance and access to information on rights and land resources, thus supporting a full recognition of the economic and social role of rural women.
Pro Rural Women 2025, organized by ANRD – Albanian Network for Rural Development, born in the framework of these projects and since 2019 has become a platform for discussion and advocacy, bringing together various stakeholders to achieve increasingly concrete results for health, social and financial empowerment, as well as women’s participation in decision-making processes at both local and national levels.
This year’s event was hosted at MARD – Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in Tirana, and featured testimonials from women and girls working in the agricultural sector, with a focus on land ownership rights; the third edition of the Liljana Isakaj Award for women committed to women’s empowerment in rural areas; and an exhibition of agri-food and artisanal products. Mr. Mario De Rosa, First Secretary – Head of the Commercial Office at the Italian Embassy in Tirana, attended the event along with representatives of UN Women, FAO, and the newly appointed Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Andis Salla.
Ms. Letizia Fischioni, AICS Tirana Deputy Head of Office, stated in her opening remarks: “This year’s thematic focus, dedicated to land rights’ awareness, is important and urgent, due to the historic influence of the patriarchal structures on family dynamics, creating obstacles to women’s emancipation. Knowledge is a crucial first step in overcoming challenges: without understanding the current situation, we cannot take effective action.”
