“WOMEN’s PARTICIPATION IN NEGOTIATIONS IS A NECESSITY, NOT A WISH”

Civil society representatives debated the issue of women’s participation in negotiations for Kosovo’s final status during a public discussion organized by ATRC and the Gender Training and Research Center on March 10.

Edita Tahiri Kosovo women's lobby during
publig debate organized by ATRC

Kosovo women activists have written letters to local and international decision-makers requesting that women be included on the negotiating team for Kosovo’s final status, but to date the negotiating team does not include a single woman.

Women’s role in negotiations, advocacy for women’s participation in this process, and gender equality and legislation in Kosovo were explained by the panelists: Edita Tahiri  Kosovo Women’s Lobby, Igballe Rogova - Kosovo Women’s Network and Besim Kajtazi – board member of Kosovo Women’s Network.

“Kosovo women must be involved in negotiations because of their political capacity and courage, and the contribution they made towards freedom,” Tahiri stated.    
     
Participants continuously stressed that status is a matter of the whole society, regardless of gender, religion or ethnic background.