Women's economic empowerment is not a luxury

2024-03-08 12:06:00, Aktualitet CNA

Women's economic empowerment is not a luxury

General Secretary of RCC, Majlinda Bregu

The most dangerous phrase that continues to circulate in our language is "This is how we've always done it". Today is March 8 and the main word we are hearing everywhere is "Women's Day". Therefore, our note on this day is undoubtedly for women, who continue to face inequalities and discrimination in all areas of economic life. Mothers in the Western Balkans significantly lack the support of childcare and elderly care services, which affects their employment. Only 24% of mothers with children under the age of 8 can use the kindergarten. Fewer care services means more unemployed women. The female employment rate in the Western Balkans, although it has increased in the last 3 years, is still around 45%, and compares poorly with the male employment rate in the region, which is around 63% percent.

Women's economic empowerment is not a luxury and cultural relativism is not an excuse. The Western Balkans loses 5% of its GDP every year due to the gap created by women's participation as entrepreneurs, while it could be 20% higher if women participated in the labor market at the same level as men . It is surprising that perceptions of women's economic capabilities are so limited given the profound impact women's work has on our economies.

Lack of work, protection from the law, low social support, lack of care facilities, limited access to productive resources prevent women from putting their skills to work, to take advantage of new employment opportunities.

The less empowered women are, the more violence against them is empowered.
Across the Western Balkans, women are harassed, raped, raped and killed, often by their partners even after repeatedly reporting the violence to the authorities.
Such black statistics go on and on, and are incomplete, but the available data is terrifying.

Every fourth victim of femicide was killed in her own home, and over half of them were killed by their husbands or ex-husbands.
There is a reason why I am giving this note today. Because, I am a woman and I know very well how embarrassing and difficult it is to talk about the reality of women today.
But I am sure that you also agree that if we empower women, they will empower our economies", said the General Secretary of RCC, Majlinda Bregu in the newest episode of TalkingPoint on the occasion of International Women's Day.

With the aim of showcasing successful examples of women entrepreneurs across the Western Balkans and strengthening women's economic empowerment efforts in the region following the launch of the regional Women's Empowerment in Entrepreneurship (EE) campaign exactly five years ago, the Cooperation Council Regional (RCC) created the Regional Network of Women in Entrepreneurship and the annual award "Women Entrepreneurs of the Year of the Western Balkans" three years ago, as part of the Joint Regional Market Action Plan 2021-2024.

After two successful generations of Western Balkan Women Entrepreneurs of the Year and the fruitful nomination process for the third edition of the Awards, RCC will present the Western Balkan Women Entrepreneurs of the Year 2023 on March 12, 2024 in Sarajevo./ CNA