At the beginning of March, but also in the middle of an election campaign, without intending to interfere in it, Majlinda Bregu has dedicated a long status with figures and analysis, why it is always more difficult for women.
Bregu lists the main problems that society and the economy, not only Albanian, have in the attributes it gives to women for their contribution in underpaid work, but also in the unpaid one of caring for children and the family.
What can be done better and how can policies be improved?
Read Majlinda Bregu's status:
Women's March!
In the calendar of months that come and go without any contradiction, here comes March.
Similar to other months, but also with an increase in propaganda rays on our soil, due to the election campaign.
However, without compromising – I have no role – even the most basic dignity that an electoral program, vision, and concrete policies should have, March encourages me to return to a topic that is close to my heart: women's empowerment.
According to World Bank data, 53.21% of women in Albania are employed.
However, this indicator does not fully reflect the economic reality and challenges that women face.
The average salary of women is still lower than that of men, especially in industrial production sectors, where women are paid about 25% less despite having higher levels of education. (Gender Alliance for Development)
65% of informal employment in Albania is made up of women, while men are less engaged in the black market (35%).
54% of women use their savings to start a business, often due to lack of access to credit and other financing.
If we want a stronger economy, we need to increase women's employment and create greater access to property and capital for them.
Do we have an accurate idea or understanding of women's contribution to the economy?
No!
Today, there is increasing talk everywhere about measuring the real benefits in a country's economy by adding elements that traditional GDP does not offer, such as calculating the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which takes into account what GDP does not receive.
-Parrot
work Childcare, housework, and other services performed primarily by women remain outside of official economic calculations.
-Differences in labor sectors
Women are mainly employed in sectors with lower productivity, which affects the accurate estimation of GDP.
Why should GDP be measured by gender, in this case Female GDP (FDP) in Albania as well?
Because it would help accurately assess women's economic contribution and serve as a basis for more just and inclusive policies for girls and women.
With Albania's current GDP, projected nominally at 26.13 billion USD (2024), the economic contribution of women (for the formula, see IMF and World Bank) is estimated at 13.79 billion USD per year.
To put it a little more simply for those who don't like numbers, women in Albania account for a little more than half of the entire Gross Domestic Product!
Do they benefit equally from economic policies, fiscal incentives, the support system for children and the elderly, access to finance, property rights, etc.?!
If at the end of the year we cannot measure how many women are stronger economically and politically, how many of them have escaped violence, or how many women we have helped start a business, then we are talking nonsense.
Women's empowerment is not only an equality issue, but also an economic necessity.
So, have a good month!
With more concrete ideas and as few flags of electoral achievements as possible!
