PROJECT NAME:

Advancing Gender Equality and Diversity through Elimination of Gender-Based Discrimination at Workplace 2023/452-340

SECTOR:

Rule of Law

PROJECT VALUE:

Total cost of the project: € 215,000.00 EU contribution € 204,250.00

DURATION:

24 months Start Date: 15 January 2024 End Date: 15 January 2026

IMPLEMENTING PARTNER:

Kosovar Gender Studies Center (co-applicant: Iniciativa Kosovare për Stabilitet)

DIRECT BENEFICIARY:

The direct beneficiaries of this project are women, including those from other ethnic or cultural minorities. Women who are currently employed or seeking employment are a primary target group. This includes women from diverse backgrounds, such as different ethnicities, ages, educational levels, and abilities. Men will also be involved in project areas as change agents.

PARTNERS:

Iniciativa Kosovare për Stabilitet

COVERAGE/IMPACT:

Kosovo

OVERALL OBJECTIVE:

The proposed action aims to identify some of the current struggles and challenges in organizing the labor market in Kosovo from the prism of human rights on gender-based discrimination. Through the identification of the main issues, the proposed action will also list the most appropriate public policies and strategies for the key actors for interventions in the labor market to enhance current norms and practices at work, with an emphasis on underprivileged social groups. The proposed action targets the more sensitive social groups in Kosovo, which stand at the bottom of the social and economic hierarchy, and gives a stance in including and respecting their rights, as a precondition of Kosovo to fulfill, towards the EU Accession processes.

PROJECT PURPOSES:

Specific Objective/Outcome (SO) 1: Promoting gender equality, diversity, and non-discrimination as a work culture and basic principle that will contribute to providing a safe environment for everyone. Specific Objective/Outcome (SO) 2: Ensure a better implementation and enforcement of existing laws, rules, and regulations on the national level which counter the discrimination of women in the workforce for both the private and public sectors. Specific Objective/Outcome (SO) 3: Generating evidence on challenges that young women face in the labor market by using the “tactic” of situation testing. Specific Objective/Outcome (SO) 4: Increasing the participation of women in the labor market including women from marginalized groups. Specific Objective/Outcome (SO) 5: Strengthening the awareness and understanding of the media of gender equality issues in employment.

PROJECT STRATEGY:

The proposed action aims to address gender-based discrimination by empowering women from various communities to challenge discriminatory practices. It involves a multi-faceted approach, including consultation with relevant actors and utilizing sector experts. The Rights Based Approach (RBA) with an emphasis on non-discrimination will guide the project's activities. Civil society organizations, donor organizations, and the EU Office in Kosovo are key partners in advocating for women's rights. Local authorities, such as the Ombudsperson Institution and the Ministry of Finance, are also crucial for implementing gender-sensitive laws and policies. Media outlets will play a significant role in spreading awareness. The project's methodology combines community-level intervention with institutional/systemic change. It builds upon previous research and advocacy efforts, aiming to improve legislation and policies related to gender equality. The action is part of a broader Research and Advocacy Programme and will be coordinated with other local and international initiatives. It is a standalone intervention managed independently but aligned with other activities and lessons learned from past implementations.

ACTIVITIES:

Work Package 1: Internship Program for young women. Activity 1.1. Internship program for 15 young women. Activity 1.2. Establishment of Evaluation Committee. Work Package 2: Advocacy for the improvement and enforcement of legal frameworks related to gender equality and non-discrimination in the workplace. Activity 2.1. Face-to-face advocacy meetings. Activity 2.2 Focus Group. Activity 2.3 Position Paper. Activity 2.4. High-level Consultation meeting: Work Package 3: Media Workshop on Reporting on Gender Equality and Gender-Based Discrimination in THE labor market. Activity 3.1 Media Workshop. Activity 3.2 Gender Responsive Journalism Declaration. Work Package 4: Grants for CSO advocating for diversity and non-discrimination culture in the workplace. Activity 4.1. Open calls and Info Sessions for Sub-granting. Activity 4.2. Selection of applicants. Activity 4.3 Sub-grantee meeting and welcoming. Activity 4.4 Gender Mainstreaming workshop for sub-grantees. Work Package 5: Promote awareness raising on Gender Equality Policies and Practices, work-life balance, and prevention of sexual harassment. Activity 5.1 Koha për grate (Time for Women). Activity 5.2 Socialization meetings. Activity 5.3. Podcasts production. Activity 5.4 Infographics. Activity 5.5: Almanac Publishing. Work Package 6: Situation testing discrimination and its documentation. Activity 6.1 Situation “tactic” testing preparation. Activity 6.2 Conduct Testing. Activity 6.3 Documentation of testing. Activity 6.4 Publication of the testing findings. Work Package 7: Evidence gathering of gender based discrimination in the workplace and the efficacy of governmental measures and mechanisms de facto and de jure. Activity 7.1 Baseline Study. Activity 7.2 Roundtable Discussion presenting the Mapping exercise findings

RESULTS:

Output 1: Society is more aware of the importance of gender equality, diversity, and non-discrimination as a work culture and basic principle that will contribute to providing a safe environment for everyone. Output 2: Analysed and proposed alternative policy solutions towards eliminating existing legal loopholes, ensuring compliance with EU Directives, and addressing gaps in protection from discrimination. Output 3: At least fifteen (15) young women will directly benefit from the proposed action through internship programs in different sectors. Output 4: At least five (5) grassroots organizations are awarded grants to advocate for gender equality and non-discrimination in the workplace for the public and private sectors. Output 5: At least fifteen (15) national media outlet representatives have increased capacities to report on gender equality issues and gender-based discrimination in the labor market in an unbiased and ethical manner. Output 6: Evidence-based “tactic” testing on gender-based discrimination is implemented and documented for future governmental programming.