Gender Equality Through the Eyes of Men in Kosovo

UNFPA jointly with the OSCE Mission in Kosovo launched a report with results of the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES)-A Men's Perspective on Gender Equality in Kosovo conducted for the first time in Kosovo.

The report aims to raise awareness on men’s attitudes and perceptions on a wide variety of topics related to gender equality and it is a result of a Kosovo-wide and representative qualitative and quantitative data gathering.

UNFPA Assistant Representative Visare Mujko-Nimani said that “we need to work together with men and women to remove attitudes, prejudices and stereotypes about equality and gender norms as this is an inclusive issue affecting both sexes and not just the feminine as it is thought in most cases’’. Ms. Mujko-Nimani also added that ‘’Education and awareness raising of a society towards gender equality begins in the cell of society, in our families, when the child sees how responsibilities and duties in the family are shared, how the father treats the mother, daughter, sister and thus creates a role model for his future behaviour as a brother, husband and future father.

On the other hand, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo Kilian Wahl said that ‘’ Gender equality promotion is not anymore an isolated topic but has become an integral part of the overall development of the society. Men must and can play a positive role in fighting gender-based stereotypes and promoting gender equality’’

On behalf of Kosovo Institutions, Executive Director of the Agency for Gender Equality Edi Gusia said that “This research, which we have in our hands today, once again reiterates the fact that in order to achieve gender equality as for any democratic process, the monologue or dialogue between proponents of the same opinion are not enough, instead we should establish dialogue between the sexes where men and boys are allies and promoters of gender equality”.

The event also served as an open discussion opportunity on the findings of the research  between different stakeholders  such as  government and non-government  institutions, CSO, FBOs, UN  and other international agencies  on  recommendations for concrete actions and  development of the future programmes  on  enhancement  of engagement  of  men and boys  but also of the whole society in gender equality .