Democratic Party MP and chairwoman of the 'Democratic Women's League', Albana Vokshi, gave an important message about girls and women and their role in society at the event organized on March 8th.
Vokshi also called for their role to be remembered not only on March 8, but throughout the year.
She further emphasized that women should refuse to let their day be just a symbolic date, as "365 days should be dedicated to women and girls."
Excerpt from Albana Vokshi's speech;
Every day of the year, 365 days, should be dedicated to women and girls. And it is not without reason that I have titled my speech today The Power of Women. Why? Because often, throughout history, women are told who they should be. They are asked to be silent, not to be courageous. They are often told to support and do routine work and not to be powerful. Therefore, honorable doctor, professor, chairman of the Democratic Party, Mr. Sali Berisha, we thank you very much today, not only for your presence here, but for all the support that you have given to women and girls throughout your entire journey, not only political, but also professional. In fact, it is only thanks to your support that many of the ladies who are in the leadership structures of the Democratic Party, or when we were in government, and it is only thanks to your support that we managed to maintain the 30% even with the changes to the electoral code.
Are we satisfied with only 30% when in fact, after demographic changes, women make up more than 50%? Of course not. Therefore, we as the Democratic Women's League will continue to seek a higher representation of fantastic, excellent women and girls, both in their profession, just as we just saw some girls who amazed us with their dance of the Mirdita region, but we would like your support for a greater representation of women not only in the leadership of the Democratic Party, since internal elections are being held, but a greater representation of women in the upcoming local elections, both as candidates for mayor and candidates for municipal councils.
In this hall here, but also outside it, there is extraordinary potential that has not yet been fully utilized in the true sense of the word. History has proven to us a truth. Every time women have resisted, every time women have risen, every time women have led, every time women have led, and the names are numerous, they have not simply been part of a story. No. Women have changed history. And this is precisely the power of women, this is where our strength lies. The power of women is that of the mother who gives life. The power of mothers is that they raise generations. The power of women is that they carry on their shoulders all the worries, the problems, the work for work and society. The power of women in leadership who dare and challenge.
It is the power of women like you who are here, honored ladies, who do not give up even when faced with difficulties, even when threatened, even when blackmailed, even when they try to insult and denigrate you. They try to bring you down, but no, this does not happen, because you rise up stronger, you rise up more powerful. For 11 years in a row, Edi Rama has set up a system that tries to diminish the voice of women, tries to silence them, tries to replace strength with servility, to make the power of women invisible. He has set up a system that does not protect women and girls, but violates them, denigrates them. Many women, as well as their children, are either forced to remain silent, or are forced to take to the streets and leave.
