Albanian Minister at UN Talks About Rape, Murder of Women During War in Kosovo

The “Grath today has yet to fight for the most fundamental things. Women's role in achieving peace and resolving conflicts is still opposed. I say it as a lesson that we Albanians have learned from our history. We saw this in Kosovo. Women were left behind to care for their families, women were left behind to collect the remaining parts. Pride that gender equality is a top priority for the Albanian government. Albania is among the 5 countries with balanced gender equality in government. 75% of ministerial posts are held by women”, Gacka has declared.

Among other things, the minister has said that “Gratte, Peace and Security are our priorities in the KS.”

Full statement:

It is a great honor for me to be the first Albanian Foreign Minister to address the Security Council as a non-permanent member of this important body. But what makes this occasion more special to me and to my country is the matter that we're addressing today: Women, Peace and Security -- an issue that is Albania's top agenda priority for the next two years.

I want to thank my Norwegian colleague and Norway's presidency for this opportunity. I also want to thank High Commissioner Bachelet for her word. I know her personal commitment to this cause.

I also want to thank Ms. Yaftal and Ms. Asoca for field prospects that were particularly informative.

I've been working on this agenda for some time now as a politician, but also as an activist for women's rights. And during all these years one thought has constantly accompanied me: How can women still struggle for something as basic as equality and for the same rights as men who are the other half of the population?

It is complicated that even in the time of our equality of rights, representation, education, and opportunity, it is not good for you to be a woman. Moreover, the right to share in building and preserving peace and security is not considered good if you are a woman.

It's a sad truth of history, but it's also a sad truth of our days and our era that while men actually cause most of the fighting, women often bear their main weight. I don't say that as a cliche slogan. I say it as a lesson that we Albanians have learned from our history. We saw this in Kosovo. Women were left behind to care for their families, women were left behind to collect the remaining parts.

Women were raped, tortured, and killed as deliberate targets of a criminal campaign of ethnic cleansing.

And we see this in all the conflicts around the world from Afghanistan to Yemen, from Myanmar to Ethiopia, to Syria or to the persecution of activists in Belarus.

Women activists face threats and dangers, including arbitrary bans, kidnappings by government authorities, and even murders by government authorities, not only because of the common dangers associated with such activities in conflict zones but also because they are women.

Yet, I know that there is resistance for women to play a role in the way peace is achieved. How conflict is resolved.

30 years ago, when my country began its long and difficult way towards reconstruction from decades of isolation and collapse under an extremely radical communist regime, we made the same mistake. We denied women the role in rebuilding, in reconciliation, in the process of laying down the foundations of our new Albania. We paid for that mistake. But we have also learned from him.

I am proud that gender equality is a top priority for the Albanian government, not only in words and politics, but also with concrete actions and achievements. Albania currently ranks among the first 5 governments with balanced gender equality, with 75% of ministerial posts held by women. A similar percentage of high- and medium-level executive positions, as well as some of the highest public posts including independent institutions, agencies, departments in key state areas, are held by women.

We've benefited. The whole country has benefited.

That's why we decided to make women, peace and security our top priority. In that spirit, we joined Norway, the United Arab Emirates and Nigeria, in the Declaration of Common Commitments to make Women, Peace and Security the top priority during our OSCE Presidencys.

However, we know that participation and protection go parallel. That's why I'd like to focus on four main points:

First, to support and make available resources for relevant UN organisations to offer all necessary protection and support to women human rights activists, peacemakers and civil society representatives who are at risk, including those who have informed the Security Council or engaged in other qualities with the UN system.

Second, to create flexible financing mechanisms capable of acting quickly and to respond quickly when women leaders face threats and punitive acts, the creation of Human Rights Funding Lights earlier today is a positive development, and Albania will make its contribution to the fund.

Third, to raise funds for women's rights organisations and movements and for women's women's rights movements, in delicate and conflict-affected areas.

Fourth, to increase accountability for women, peace and security by having a zero-tolerance approach to revenge acts against women activists and human rights advocates.

The council should play an essential role in this regard. A crucial role. There can be no peace without women, and it would be unforgivable to expel half of mankind from efforts aimed at international peace and security.

Thank you.