Planning and Local Governance Project in Albania Women, Peace, and Security (WPS): Overall Report: Gender Equality Officers at the Local Level: Condicio Sine Qua Non for Gender Mainstreaming in Local Government Units

The project's overall report, released in July 2020, focused on the role of Gender Equality Officers at the local level. The report emphasized the importance of these officers in mainstreaming gender equality in local government units. The legislative and policy framework in Albania is guided by international documents, such as the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and national legislation, including the National Strategy for Gender Equality (2016-2020). The report highlighted the need for a more comprehensive framework to support the establishment and functioning of Gender Equality Officers. The assessment of compliance with international norms and standards revealed that Albania has made significant progress in promoting gender equality, but challenges persist. The report identified key findings on Gender Equality Officers and gender mainstreaming, including the need for a clear definition of the officer's role and responsibilities, as well as adequate training and resources. The report concluded that the establishment of Gender Equality Officers at the local level is crucial for promoting gender equality and mainstreaming in local government units. The authors recommended that the Government of Albania establish a clear legislative framework for the position, provide adequate training and resources, and ensure vertical and horizontal coordination among stakeholders. The report also provided recommendations for local government units, including the development of job descriptions for Gender Equality Officers and the establishment of a system for monitoring and evaluating their performance. The authors emphasized the importance of addressing the financial implications of establishing the position of Gender Equality Officer with civil servant status. The report included several annexes, including an estimated cost for the establishment of the Gender Equality Officer position at the municipal level in Albania, job descriptions for the position, and an overview of the gender equality-related legal framework. The authors also provided a bibliography and a list of interviews conducted during the research. The report's findings and recommendations aim to support the Government of Albania in strengthening local governance and promoting gender equality. The establishment of Gender Equality Officers at the local level is seen as a critical step in achieving this goal, and the report provides a framework for implementing this initiative.