Women in Politics (WIP)

Despite achievements in the area of gender equality, women are under-represented in decision making positions in Kosovo, both at central and local levels.

Social perceptions and constraints, structural barriers in political parties, patriarchal norms, and at times misogynistic conduct present qualitative challenges to fair access to decision-making power by women. The national and local elections held in 2021, however, emphasized women's electoral competiveness.

Women (including from minority communities) considering entry into politics and those already active are the main target group and direct beneficiaries. 

Further target groups include: all political parties in Kosovo, male politicians, mainstream and online media outlets, CSOs, etc. 

Indirect target groups include citizens of Kosovo, reached through the public campaigns. They are beneficiaries of improved gender equality and the resulting gender responsive policies. 

WIP will reach an estimated total of 12,000 direct beneficiaries across Kosovo and an estimated total of 550,000 individual indirect beneficiaries. 

Outcome 1: Enhanced women's leadership abilities and access to networks. 

Outcome 2: Political parties and media increasingly promote women candidates and politicians with governing capacity. 

Outcome 3: Women and male allies successfully pursue gender-responsive legislative and fiscal policies.

Expected results:  

• Skills building opportunities for women in politics are made available. 
• "Mentorship programme" is sucessfully implemented.
• Cross-sector support networks are facilitated and strengthened. 
• Parties are supported for introduction of improved recruitment procedures and other new measures to promote women candidates. 
• Advancing of party commitments to gender equality is facilitated. 
• Actions for improved public image of women are supported. 
• Research on policy priorities is made available. 
• Initiatives for gender-responsive policy development are supported. 

Results from previous phases:   This is a new five-year programme, building on the insights from over 20 years of continuous USAID support to Kosovo's political party, legislative,  electoral, civic and inclusion development, implemented through NDI. SDC contributes to the first programme component " Women in Politics".

• Swiss interventions in the area of democratic governance and peace, especially Decentralization and Municipal Support (DEMOS) and potentially Smartvote (preparations ongoing);
• USAID projects: Citizen Engagement Activity (CEA); Social Contract, etc.