Hakaj: Women in politics face greater challenges than men

Lulzim Hakaj, co-founder of the NGO Communities Empowering Reconciliation (REC), emphasized that in the upcoming local elections all political parties have met the requirement that 30 percent of candidates on their lists be women, but that this percentage should be higher in the future.

“All political parties have fulfilled the regulation that 30 percent of their lists consist of women, but I would like that number to be higher—50-50. The party that takes power should ensure the same balance, 50-50, at both local and central levels, with women serving as ministers and directors, equally represented,” Hakaj stated.

Hakaj believes that women in politics face greater challenges than men, and explained that the reason lies in the mentality of the Western Balkans.

“We live in a situation where our mentality favors men more than women. We expect that in the future this situation will improve, that we will no longer have prejudices regarding women’s participation in politics, and that we will become like Western countries—equal,” he added.

According to him, patriarchy is still prevalent in Balkan countries.

He further noted that women in Kosovo’s politics inspire young people to become engaged in political life.

“They are role models, and we expect men to act in the same way. Women in politics are good role models because they can influence young people to participate in politics, both in local and central elections, and to be aware of what they are doing,” Hakaj concluded.