On September 8th, a round-table with the leaders of Village Councils in the Municipality of Skenderaj took place. The discussion focused on women’s engagement as members of Village Councils, on equal opportunities of men and women on being a village leader as well as in the councils’ membership.

There are no women in the position of the village leader, and there are no women as members neither in around 50 villages in the municipality of Skenderaj.

The purpose of this meeting was therefore to offer a democratic perspective on women’s engagement in decision-making and community leadership, the potential of women to contribute as co-citizens and the legal responsibilities in regards to equal gender representation in decision making structures, formal or informal ones.

Community leaders were also informed that the young women from the municipality of Skenderaj (certified by PEN on local decision-making and community leadership) are willing and ready to join Village Councils and help contribute for the challenges and problems in their villages and neighborhoods.

This activity is part of the project ‘Act on Equality’ supported by U.S. Department of State.