Locations
Gender equality
Gender equality is key to a thriving economy and society in Kosovo. Significant progress has been made in advancing gender equality and women’s rights during the last two decades, particularly towards aligning legislation with international standards. However, inequalities in decision-making and leadership, public representation, access to justice, access to education, labour market and economy remain as an impediment to inclusive development. Major concerns also remain with regards to prevalence of gender-based violence and gaps in access to finance and property ownership.
Reflecting upon the present status of Kosovo’s gender equality and women’s empowerment, and in line with the global gender equality offer, UNDP in Kosovo prepared the ‘UNDP Kosovo’s Gender Equality Strategy 2021-2025’ to guide our efforts. It provides entry points to addressing gender inequality through the ongoing programme based on corporate priorities, policies and procedures.
UNDP Kosovo’s Gender Equality Strategy is organized around two pillars.
| Pillar I. UNDP’s Institutional Effectiveness for Gender Mainstreaming | Outcome 1. UNDP’s ability to mainstream gender perspective in procedures, culture and programme portfolios towards gender equality and women’s empowerment is strengthened and meets the standards of the Gender Seal Programme. |
| Pillar II. UNDP’s programmatic value proposition on gender equality and women’s empowerment | Outcome 2. Gender-sensitive, evidence-based, accountable and transparent institutional capacities are supported to ensure equal access to rights, services and opportunities for women and effective protection against all forms of gender-based violence Outcome 3. Women in all their diversity are empowered to participate in decision-making and assume leadership positions, and harness income generation and employment opportunities in STEM, digital and green economy |
Gender Equality Seal programme
UNDP in Kosovo has enrolled for UNDP’s Gender Equality Seal certification since 2021. Gender Focal Team was established to facilitate and monitor the implementation of the Gender Equality Strategy and Action Plan to meet the standards as per the Gender Equality Seal Benchmarks. UNDP is committed to mainstreaming gender equality considerations at all levels.
UNDP’s ability to mainstream gender perspective in procedures, culture and programme portfolios towards gender equality and women’s empowerment is strengthened and meets the standards of the Gender Seal Programme
- Implement the Gender Equality Strategy and Action Plan and obtain the Gender Equality Seal Programme certification.
- Improve the internal capacities of staff in gender mainstreaming in the project design, implementation, monitoring and reporting through continuous learning.
- Maintain the Gender Parity standards and requirements as per the UN Gender Parity Standards.
Projects:
Gender Seal Programme
Gender Seal for Public Institutions in Kosovo being implemented with the Employment Agency
Gender-sensitive, evidence-based, accountable and transparent institutional capacities are supported for ensuring equal access to rights, services and opportunities for women and effective protection against all forms of gender-based violence
- Strengthen the partnership and synergy with other UN entities and other international and local institutions including the Agency for Gender Equality, civil society organizations and other members of the gender machinery in Kosovo that contribute to the Gender Agenda in Kosovo;
- Support institutions in making gender-responsive and data-driven decisions and policies through research, analysis and gender-disaggregated open data actions;
- Support institutional capacity building in addressing and combating gender-based violence and discrimination against women while mainstreaming gender equality and ensuring women’s meaningful participation at all levels of decision making process;
- Improve the cooperation between institutions, agencies, and citizens for gender-responsive climate change and digitalization policies and strategies.
Projects:
Youth and Gender Norms
Local Climate Action
SAEK
Climate Promise
Rule of Law/Access to Justice
Public Pulse
Healthier Kosovo
HAP
KSSP
Reload
Empowering Youth for a Peaceful, Prosperous and Sustainable Future in Kosovo
Women in all their diversity are empowered to participate in decision-making and assume leadership positions, and harness income generation and employment opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), digital and green economy
- Support women, especially from vulnerable groups (incl. survivors of violence, repatriated, ethnic minorities) in accessing labor market through close cooperation with the private sector, implementation of various active labor market measures and in challenging gender-stereotypes in the labour market;
- Accelerate the representation of women in entrepreneurship and economy, especially in circular/green economy, STEM, digital and tourism through skills development, gender-sensitive data collection, access to finance, networking, mentorship and innovation (including innovative financial solutions);
- Increase awareness around the importance of unpaid care work recognition and care solutions through advocacy and cooperation with CSOs and businesses;
- Empower and support women as agents of change for climate action and environmental protection as well as reconciliation and peacebuilding through cultural heritage actions and transitional justice.
Projects:
ALMP
Cultural Heritage
Accelerating Green Recovery in Kosovo through Ecotourism and Inclusive Governance
Jenjeva
Dealing with conflict legacy
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GENDER EQUALITY, one of the key signature solutions for UNDP globally
 | Gender equality is at the very heart of human rights and United Nations values. It is a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. Gender equality is central to the Strategic Plan of UNDP and is one of the six signature solutions of UNDP towards the three directions of change: structural transformation, leaving no one behind and building resilience. |
UNDP Global GENDER EQUALITY offer
- Gender Equality Strategy 2022-2025
- The Six Signature Solutions that UNDP will focus its gender equality and women’s empowerment work are:
Solution 1 - Poverty and inequality
Solution 2 - Governance
Solution 3 - Resilience
Solution 4 - Environment
Solution 5 - Energy
Solution 6 – Gender equality
Utilizing Strategic Innovation, Digitalization and Development Finance as enablers, UNDP will pursue gender mainstreaming and tailor-made interventions in the imlementation of its programme in areas where UNDP has demonstrated results and comparative advantage. Special attention is paid to closing inequity gaps with interventions to achieve women’s empowerment, autonomy, and ability to make choices.
