Pristina, Klan Arena
Madam President Osmani,
Madam Deputy Prime Minister Redžepi/Rexhepi,
Madam Development Coordinator Richardson,
Distinguished members of the international community, distinguished guests, friends and colleagues,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to this year’s Global Open Day on Women, Peace, and Security in Kosovo.
Let me take you with me on a journey. Out of the 850 delegates at the inception of the United Nations in San Francisco 77 years ago, only four were women. Yet, nevertheless, these four women reaffirmed in the UN Charter the faith that “We, the people … have faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women …”
And the journey did not end there. The United Nations, together with its agencies, funds and programmes, has continued to emphasize the political role and contribution of women and girls around the world as leaders of change, helping to build a more sustainable future for all.
From Beijing to CEDAW, from the Sustainable Development Goals Agenda to Our Common Agenda and Action for Human Rights, these are just a few milestones in the advancement of gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Twenty-two years ago, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. The resolution recognizes that the meaningful participation of women in decision-making processes contributes to more democratic societies, more inclusive development, and more sustainable peace.
Real change can happen when we ensure that the younger generation—including young men—supports and empowers women’s political representation.
This Global Open Day is an opportunity to invest in women under the theme “Breaking Barriers and Building Peace: Advancing Women’s Participation in Political Processes.”
But what do “breaking barriers” and “building peace” really mean?
Breaking barriers is about creating conditions for inclusive societies where peace and stability can thrive in diversity. It is not only about overcoming obstacles to women’s participation; it is also about ensuring a paradigm shift anchored in partnerships and shared values.
Building peace is about strengthening alliances and identifying common ground between parties in conflict. It is about power-sharing between men and women and among communities. It is about power-sharing with—and for—those in the most vulnerable conditions.
It is ultimately about working together towards a social contract based on equality, respect, and a higher moral compass.
Integrating a gender perspective requires understanding that every element of a peacebuilding process must incorporate the views and priorities of both men and women in all their diversity.
In other words, for peace and security to be sustainable, they need to be defined by both women and men.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Here we are, 77 years later. The four women are now four times fifty and more. Looking around this room, I see powerful women in leadership positions—women living successful stories: politicians, a President, a Deputy Prime Minister, lawyers, journalists, architects, mothers, daughters, wives, sisters, activists—true role models.
These are women who have broken barriers and continue to build peace in different walks of life.
We remain steadfast in our support for all your efforts to advance women’s participation, inclusion, and ownership of processes at the central, local, and community levels.
It is time for all your success stories to resonate across Kosovo.
It is high time that your journey becomes the journey of each and every woman in Kosovo and across the region.
A great woman from this region who became an international humanitarian icon, Mother Teresa, once said: “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”
Let us turn our discussions today into great achievements for tomorrow.
Thank you for your attention.
