During a conference on “Increased Participation of Marginalized Groups in Kosovo” today, the Ambassador of the United States in Kosovo, Greg Delawie, said that everyone has a responsibility to ensure that all groups are able to exercise their full rights. “When people are pushed to the margins of society, they have a much more difficult time exercising their economic, political, cultural, and social rights. This exclusion constrains economic development and undermines the democratic process. Each of us has a responsibility to ensure all groups are able to exercise their full rights…. Let’s continue to work together so that every citizen of Kosovo enjoys equal rights,” Delawie said.

During the conference it was said that only four percent of women in Kosovo have the right to property. Minister of Justice, Hajredin Kuci said that the regulation of property rights is a sensitive matter and is part of a country's economic development. He said in 62 percent of cases people were not aware that a woman or a girl should have the right to property. According to him, women and girls have the right to inheritance, though in practice it is different and abstract because it is not taken seriously.

The event is part of USAID Kosovo’s Engagement for Equity Program to promote the concept of an inclusive society, raise public awareness on the issue of marginalized groups, and improve opportunities for marginalized individuals to exercise their rights in society.