Korçë, 26 November 2025_The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Albania, in partnership with the Italian Embassy to Tirana, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and the Government of Albania, launched today the national awareness campaign “Say No to Early Marriage.”
The campaign launched in Korça, one of the 9 municipalities of Albania where UNFPA and AICS are implementing their intervention to reduce gender-based violence and harmful practices through gender-responsive governance, this year coincides with the global campaign of the “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” and marks the beginning of a year-long initiative to challenge harmful social norms, prevent early and forced marriages, and promote gender equality across Albania.
Inspired by the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations and the CEDAW and Istanbul Convention (GREVIO) reports, the campaign aims to raise public awareness, inform policy dialogue, and mobilize communities to address early and forced marriage, recognized as both a human rights violation and a driver of gender-based violence.
Ms. Etleva Sheshi, representative from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, highlighted that the “The Ministry of Health and Social Protection remains committed to preventing any practice that endangers the health, education, and future of girls.”
While Ms. Letizia Fischioni, AICS Tirana Acting Head of Office stated: “For the Italian Development Cooperation, today is not just an anniversary but a daily commitment, rooted in the belief that no society can truly make any progress if women and girls are not free from violence, discrimination, and harmful practices..”
The Mayor of Korça, Mr. Sotiraq Filo, expressed his appreciation for the partnership and for bringing this campaign to a city known for its culture, dialogue, and social progress. “Korça has always shown strong commitment to supporting and protecting girls and women—and today, we proudly reaffirm that early marriage has no place in our community.”
Dr. Manuela Bello, Head of UNFPA Albania office, reaffirmed “UNFPA’s commitment to end forced / early marriages and ensure that every girl can live free from violence, make her own choices, and fulfill her potential. And engaging men and boys as allies is key to promote positive masculinities and bring change”.
The launch featured the premiere of a theater play “Grua per Shpi,” an adaptation of Franca Rame’s “Tutta casa, letto e chiesa” (All house, bed and church), which will be part of the campaign and performed in all target areas of intervention throughout 2025–2026.
This initiative is part of the project “Reducing Gender-Based Violence and Harmful Practices through Gender-Responsive Governance,” funded by the Government of Italy and implemented by UNFPA Albania in partnership with the Government of Albania.
