Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) in Kosovo, Zahir Tanin, welcomed the women attending the 2016 Global Open Day on Women, Peace and Security in Kosovo by urging them to speak up about the challenges that they face: “We want to hear directly from you as young women from across Kosovo. I encourage you to speak up about challenges that affect you as young women in Kosovo and to use this chance to share your ideas with us.”   

This year, the Open Day in Kosovo focuses on young women with a roundtable on Being a young woman in Kosovo: expectations, challenges and reality. “Young people are actors of change and, as such, should be actively involved in all social and economic processes in Kosovo today. You are also the ones, who will be leading Kosovo tomorrow.” stated SRSG Zahir Tanin, emphasizing the importance of increased and inclusive representation of young women in decision-making at all levels, as well as in peace building processes.

“Global Open Days” were held in UN peace building missions around the world for the first time in 2010 on the occasion of 10th anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. Successful Open Day events have since been held in Kosovo in 2010, 2012 and 2014 addressing women’s participation in negotiations and dialogue processes, political empowerment, legislation, anti-poverty and economic security, gender perspectives in the security sector, gender-based violence and transitional justice.

For more information, contact: Shpend Berbatovci, berbatovci@un.org, 044 503 074