OSCE Presence holds summer school for women in governance

The “Women in Governance” project by the OSCE Presence in Albania organized a summer School for women municipal and communal councillors elected in the 8 May local government elections from 12 to 14 September 2011 in Durres. More than 70 women councillors from all over the country and from across the political spectrum participated in the event.

The summer school provided an opportunity for the councillors to learn new skills and for sharing experiences and lessons learned.

The initiative aimed to strengthen the participants' capacity to carry out their mandate and provide them with tools to mainstream gender into local policies in order to provide optimal public services for local communities.

A team of international and national trainers led the courses, assisted by Presence staff and resource persons, including experienced Albanian councillors from different political parties who have served consecutive mandates. Municipal councillors from the town of Röthenbach an der Pegnitz in Germany, who had participated in past activities of the Women in Governance project, also took part.

“Changing the attitudes of political parties and its male-dominated leadership and building the capacities of beneficiaries remain challenges in enhancing women’s participation in public and political life,” said Ambassador Eugen Wollfarth, the Head of the OSCE Presence. “Stronger implementation and possibly also amendments to the Electoral Code and gender-related legislation before the forthcoming 2013 parliamentary elections is  required for significant gender representation in all legislative, judicial and executive bodies.”

Enhancing Women’s Role in Governance is a three-year project which will conclude in December. It is implemented by the Presence and funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Swedish Agency for International Development.