Arqimandriti: Alarming data on femicide in the Western Balkans require the efforts of all institutions

Mirela Arqimandriti, Executive Director of the Gender Alliance for Development Center (GADC) in Tirana, emphasizes that despite good legal solutions in Albania and other countries in the region, the data on femicide in the Western Balkans are alarming, and the roots should be sought in various cultural, social, and economic factors.

"Femicide has deep roots and is primarily linked to dominance, power, and discrimination deeply ingrained in people's attitudes towards women and girls. Over the years, there have been various campaigns against femicide and gender-based violence. The legal framework in our country, in the Western Balkans, is well-regulated enough, but it should be reiterated that when it comes to femicide, the numbers are alarming. In Albania, 11 women and girls were killed in 2023, while according to data in Serbia, 27 women and girls were killed, and there were 11 such murders in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and so on in other countries", Arqimandriti says.

She identifies as a serious problem the widespread tradition of keeping firearms and cold weapons in Western Balkan countries, and she considers it a problem that state structures fail to control this.

"However, a very significant problem is the enforcement of laws, and different policies by various institutions that should fight with a comprehensive approach. It should be the struggle of all institutions, all civil society organizations, and state institutions, as well as businesses, and media. It is necessary to create a very high degree of accountability among people regarding gender equality, and respect for women, but also in relation to all other aspects that are formed in youth based on entrenched norms. That's why education for young generations is needed", Arqimandriti says.

She emphasizes that besides education and various campaigns being implemented, and then legal solutions, it is also necessary for the issue of violence against women to be a media topic not only when a tragedy occurs but when the entire community is involved in it and that it is given a comprehensive approach.

"However, this cannot be achieved if competent institutions such as the court, prosecution, police, employees in public health, or all municipal institutions which, in the case of Albania, have a very significant role in the functioning of mechanisms in the fight against gender-based violence, do not perform their duties properly within the law. Femicide and murderers need to be treated according to the criminal code of Albania or other Balkan countries. What our organization and others can help with is to educate young people on this topic through various educational programs daily", Mirela Arqimandriti, the Executive Director of the Gender Alliance for Development Center concludes.