Minister of Labor and Social Welfare Arban Abrashi met on Thursday representatives of the World Bank (WB) in Kosovo and discussed the possibilities to increase employment. Abrashi informed the WB representatives on the plans and challenges of his ministry. It was emphasized the technical assistance that the World Bank could provide in various areas such as employment issues, pensions and social services.
The Civil Initiative FOL (Speak Up) on Tuesday presented the Award for Civic Courage for 2014. The award was given to Shyhrete Berisha from Suhareke/Suva Reka. Petrit Zogaj from FOL said that this award is given in recognition for personalities engaged in protecting the public interest and human rights in Kosovo. "Shyhrete’s confrontation for realization of her inheritance rights highlights the problem of social inequality and women's rights in general in Kosovo. She is an example of consistent commitment to the realization of inheritance rights.
According to a study published by the International Labour Organization (ILO), Kosovo has only 14.8 percentage participation of women in managerial positions. Better than Kosovo is Albania, with 22 percent of women participation in business. ILO Director Deborah France-Massin, says there is a long way to achieve true gender equality in the workplace, especially when it comes to senior positions. According to her, although women are more likely to manage a business, their options are limited to maintain a high position in any of the biggest companies in the world.
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) on Thursday launched a research report within the project "Public Pulse - Safety in public schools in the municipality of Pristina". This report deals with the perception of students, parents and teachers about safety issues in schools in Pristina and offers concrete recommendations for steps to be taken to increase the security. The outcome data will be used to design a comprehensive platform 2015-2018 against violence in schools.
The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in cooperation with Kosovo institutions, selected Pristina and Gjakove/Djakovica municipalities as two pilot municipalities to apply the project for help and support to repatriated persons from European countries, and their sustainable reintegration in Kosovo society. Representatives from UNICEF met with municipal officials in Gjakove/Djakovica, and with responsible institutions involved in this process, such as the Center for Social Work.
Domestic violence continues to remain a problem in Kosovo society. According to the Women’s Centre in Peja, the phenomenon of domestic violence was on the rise during the past year. There were recorded 54 cases of violence in Albanian families, 14 cases in Roma and Ashkali communities, one case in Serb community and three cases in the Bosniak community. Ardita Bala, director of the Women's Center says that prevention of domestic violence and protection of children and women’s rights, are some of the issues that have been the focus of civil society in Peja.
Kosovo and Albania will intensify cooperation in the field of agriculture, seeing it as one of the main potentials for economic development, RTKLive reports. Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Memli Krasniqi, met on Friday with Albania Ambassador to Kosovo, Qemajl Minxhozi and discussed about investments to be made in Kosovo in the field of agriculture. "Agriculture is one of the key sectors for development of the country and one of the main priorities of the government,” said Krasniqi.
The municipality of Gjilan/Gnjilane signed a cooperation agreement for financial support with Association of Paraplegics and Paralyzed Children - Hendikos, Kosovo Association of the Blind and Kosovo Association of the Deaf , RTK reports. Mayor of Gjilan/Gnjilane, Lutfi Haziri said that this agreement is focused on the financial support for these associations, in order to improve the daily life of people with special needs. Haziri also said that this agreement will be reviewed in the future with the possibility to increase the funding for these associations.
Minister for European Integration, Bekim Collaku visited today the Center for Cooperation and Integration "Fidan Lahu" in Fushe Kosove / Kosovo Polje, where he spent a few moments with children from Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian (RAE) communities. Collaku donated computers and various computer equipment for the children of these communities. "The Ministry for European Integration is strongly committed to improving the living conditions of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians, and their full integration into society,” said Collaku.
Frenchman Arnaud Gouillons, with his organization "Solidarity for Kosovo", continues to support the Serbian population. A convoy with French aid will visit Serbian areas throughout Kosovo in the days before the New Year. They first arrived in Staro Gacko. In addition to gifts for children, families received new stoves on wood and electricity.