Pristina, March 8, 2023 – On the occasion of marking March 8, Women’s Day, the Ombudsperson emphasizes the contribution of women and girls in all areas to the development of our country, showing their power for positive changes in society and family.

The position of women today has advanced in all aspects, however, women and girls in our country continue to be discriminated against.

Domestic violence, where women and girls are the victims, continues to be a disturbing problem in our society. Last year alone, four women were killed as a result of domestic violence. The investigated cases show that this is happening due to the failure of the state to take all appropriate measures and to fulfill positive obligations for the protection of the right to life and protection from domestic violence. The scale with which domestic violence is unfolding best shows the urgency for general social mobilization for prevention and protection from domestic violence, which continues to take the lives of innocent people.

Another challenge for women is their low participation in the labor market, in political life and decision-making, in property and inheritance, in the field of education, health, and in the division of responsibilities in the family. These are indicators that women in our country continue to be in a less favorable position than men.

Women and girls continue to face disinheritance practices. In most cases, they give up their inheritance in favor of male heirs, this practice is mainly based on customary norms, prejudices against women and girls when they inherit and the mentality that considers men as the sole heirs of the family’s wealth. The current legislative framework for inheritance and affirmative measures are insufficient to change this situation.

The Ombudsperson calls on everyone to contribute to the achievement of gender equality as one of the main objectives and priority for the development of any modern democratic society, in which all its members are treated equally and without discrimination.