Ending Violence against Women
A violation of fundamental human rights that has grave physical, sexual and psychological consequences, violence against women in Albania is common, with almost 60 per cent of women aged 15-49 having experienced domestic violence. Although a high government priority, domestic violence prevention, protection, prosecution and referral mechanisms remain weak, though improving.
UN Women in Action in Albania
Ending violence against women and girls is a priority area for UN Women in Albania. An important part of our work involves assisting the Government of Albania implement the global norms and standards enshrined in its international agreements.
These include the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and obligations that derive from Albania’s drive for accession to the European Union. In addition, Albania has ratified the Council of Europe (CoE) Istanbul Convention, which obliges states to address and prevent violence against women and girls, take measures to protect its victims, and prosecute perpetrators.
At the same time UN Women leads coordination of the UN agencies in country around awareness raising, 16 Days of Activism campaign under the UNiTE framework and involvement of men and boys.
Albania has been a state party to CEDAW since 1993. UN Women in Albania has supported:
- criminal code reform
- the expansion of protection and services for survivors of violence
- training of justice professionals to implement EVAW legislation
- improved economic opportunities for victims of trafficking and violence
- advocacy for provision of free legal aid
- awareness in media and education for zero tolerance of violence against women
UN Women programme initiatives aim to end violence against women in Albania by:
- Supporting knowledge and evidence for policy development and response.
We support national and local advocacy efforts for legal reforms to end violence against women. We provide advice and share expertise, knowledge and international best practices and tools to prevent and address violence against women.
- Advocating the expansion of quality, multi-sectorial services to survivors.
In collaboration with other UN agencies, we support national and local referral mechanisms and services to survivors of violence and work to strengthen existing response mechanisms. We also promote the socio-economic integration of women survivors of violence and trafficking with employment and entrepreneurship programs for affected women.
- Supporting advocacy initiatives such as UNiTE Campaign and HeForShe.
UN Women Albania is the lead coordinator of joint efforts with UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF that assist national partners implement longer-term initiatives to change boys and men’s attitudes to domestic violence and reduce its prevalence.
Successful campaigns in Albania targeting the general public, men and boys include the UNiTE Campaign, which involves the 16 Days of Activism to End Violence against Women, and the HeForShe Campaign, UN Women’s solidarity movement for gender equality.