Although it is the year 2023, young people continue to face challenges that have an extraordinary impact not only on their present but also on their long-term future. Consequences for them flow through society, as the youth are the adults of the future who need to be capable and healthy. Especially girls are vulnerable to gender inequalities and harmful social norms, such as early marriage, which takes them away from school, or the practice of selective abortion, primarily carried out due to a preference for male offspring.
EU for Gender Equality project is implemented by UNFPA Albania and UN Women in Albania, with the main partnership of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection that aims to empower and enable young people through discussions and information-sharing on important issues, many of which are still considered taboos. The project has worked with young people from rural areas where information faces difficulties penetrating society or communities.
In addition to early marriage and selective abortion, which are very urgent issues to be addressed, during its two-year duration, the project "EU for Gender Equality" has also tackled topics such as bullying, including online bullying that is so widespread in the era of social networks, the need to have more open discussions in schools and families with children and young people, about things that are still considered taboo in society.
"We have directly asked young people in secondary schools in Bërzhita, Velipoja, Shirgjani, Lunxheria, Kodovjati, and Bulgarec about what worries them the most, and we have tried to address their needs with the project. The goal is gender equality, by combating harmful social practices and norms, and empowering girls and boys to lead healthy lives," says Elsona Agolli, Program Analyst for Gender and Population Issues at UNFPA Albania.
