WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP AS A SOCIAL PROGRESS

AMBASSADOR OF THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS TO ALBANIA, H.E. MRS. GUUSJE KORTHALS ALTES

THE GENDER EQUALITY AGENDA IS IMPORTANT FOR THE NETHERLANDS. THAT IS WHY WE ARE AND WILL REMAIN AN ENGAGED PARTNER IN PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS AND SOCIAL PROGRESS. ENCOURAGING WOMEN ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION IS ONE WAY WE WORK TO STRENGTHEN THE POSITION OF WOMEN AND GIRLS. H ow do we do this?

We cooperate with civil society partners, who have shown persistence, braveness and flexibility to ensure that women participate economically and impacting directly the daily life of women and girls. We would like to share three examples with you.

1. At the Lake of Shkodra, our embassy partner ALTRI Center, implemented a successful project. The Center worked with 92 women to enhance their entrepreneurial skills and business services. Furthermore, the ALTRI Center worked to formalize their activity through the establishment of a social business for the community of Shiroka.

These women and girls have not only increased their incomes through operating in a legallycompliant environment, but they also profit from social security benefits, access to finance mechanisms and wider market opportunities. I believe that creating more and better jobs addresses the marginalization of this vulnerable group. It provides them with decent work and it reduces the unfair competition. From the social progress perspective, the benefits certainly outweigh the costs of formalization.

2.The Sustainable Development Goals are guiding much of the work the Netherlands is doing at home and abroad. We strive for inclusive development, that leaves no one behind. Through our Human Rights Fund, the embassy supports the SEE Women project, an initiative of NCCS. This project provides employment to marginalized lowskilled women, including Roma and Egyptian, in deprived communities. The women are offered vocational courses in embroidery, sewing or daycare, serves. This not only empowers them and grants them income, it also serves as a measure to prevent domestic violence and trafficking in the remote areas. It has been amazing to see the ability of these women and girls

to reinvent themselves and adopt to Covid-19 circumstances. They started producing face masks immediately, initially in a modest quality and quantity, but gradually stepping up to better standards and higher productivity.

“We strive for inclusive development, that leaves no one behind.”

These interventions provide hope and perspective to individuals and disadvantaged communities. Local power and ownership lead to a lasting impact and granting justice and rights.

3. The Covid-19 pandemic has further exposed and accelerated the prevailing gender inequalities and injustices; it brings to light a level of vulnerability, to which no country is fully immune. COVID-19 has also impacted the civic space worldwide. Therefore support to raise women’s voices, claim their rights and influence

Embassy masks produced by SEE Women trainees

the political, economic and social structures, is paramount. In many cases governments, companies and local authorities adopt or adjust laws, regulations or social norms as a result of advice or pressure from civil society organizations. This is the core idea of the new project “SHE Leads”. A project funded by the embassy and implemented by our CSO partner, GADC. There are three objectives to this project: building a dialogue platform between women in business and the policy-makers; foster women entrepreneurship through coaching programs; and promote access to finance by enhancing the cooperation with the financial institutions. This project will be launched at the same time this publication. The women in fisheries at the Shkodra Lake, the women producing the masks and the SHE Leads project, show our commitment as a partner when it comes to gender equality. These small steps bring the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals a step closer. During these last three years in Albania, I have been very much

impressed by the power of women. I have seen numerous girls and young women that are eager to transform their communities, strong women willing to engage in dialogue on issues regarding their education, economic empowerment, leadership development, and institutional strengthening. Facilitating these girls and young women to fight against gender injustice and work towards stronger economic inclusion is part of my work and very near to my heart. The civil society organizations, but also the women in government institutions or politicians have shown a great commitment to the advancement of women. We cherish these partnerships. Also close to my heart is the memory of the ‘ women in business’ visit of Albanian women to the Netherlands. Together with five powerful Dutch ladies and with my Albanian counterpart in the Netherlands, we set up a program for a delegation of Albanian ministers, entrepreneurs and leaders. Many of the contacts established then are still a base for Albanian-Dutch cooperation.

The embassy will continue to actively pursue women and girls empowerment. By working in partnerships, we can make an impact where it matters. And making a difference is what will bring us the just, equal and inclusive society we all want for our daughters.

“We cherish these partnerships.”