Speaking at the conference ‘Empowering the Role of Women in Local Democracy,’ organized by the Democratic Party in partnership with the Swedish Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation, Chairman Sali Berisha stated that the country is facing an alarming situation regarding violence against women. He accused state institutions of downplaying such cases by treating them merely as family disputes.

In his address, Berisha emphasized that women constitute more than half of the population and that any level of underrepresentation undermines the legitimacy of institutions.

“Today in Albania, women account for more than 52–53 percent of the population. Any representation below this percentage undermines legitimacy, as representation and legitimacy are closely interconnected,” he stated.

Berisha described the current situation as a sombre period for the safety of women and girls. ‘Albania is enduring a painful era of terror against women and girls, which in its most brutal aspects surpasses any previous time,’ he said.

He claimed that cases of femicide are not addressed with the necessary severity by institutions. ‘There is a tendency to whitewash these crimes by presenting them as family disputes, whereas the perpetrators should face the harshest punishments,’ Berisha declared.

“The Chairman of the Democratic Party stated that the party is committed to adopting stronger legal measures and ensuring greater protection for women. ‘We pledge to enforce the most severe punishments and to provide the highest possible safeguards for women and girls,’ he declared.

Berisha also touched on the role and potential of women in society, emphasizing that they have outstanding abilities in education and development.

“Society is becoming increasingly aware of the extraordinary intellectual potential of women and girls, who often face injustices and inequalities that limit their opportunities,” he said.

Berisha emphasized that the empowerment of women remains an essential condition for democracy and the country’s development.

He also declared that the fight against patriarchy is fundamental to guaranteeing freedoms and human rights, stressing that without the empowerment of women and girls there can be no functioning democracy.

He framed women’s empowerment and the battle against patriarchy as essential pillars for democracy, human rights, and societal progress.

He went on saying that, under the DP government, targeted policies were introduced to reduce economic inequality between women and men. He noted that these measures succeeded in narrowing down the financial gap from 36 percent to approximately 17 percent, thereby approaching the European Union average. Nevertheless, he emphasized that this achievement represents only one indicator of progress and that significant work remains to be done.

The Chairman of the Democratic Party emphasized the commitment to increasing the role of women within the party’s leadership structures and in future governance.

Berisha declared: “We pledge to ensure a much greater role for girls and women in the organization and leadership of the Democratic Party, as well as in its future governance.

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