Call for applications: Selection of participants for the project “Women in Politics – confidence, influence and effective leadership”
Background
The European Union (EU) has a variety of policies in place that support women’s political and civic engagement, to promote women in decision-making and end the underrepresentation of women.
In Kosovo women participation in decision-making continues to be low despite legal and institutional reform in recent years. The Law No. 05/L -020 on Gender Equality, states that “equal gender representation in all legislative, executive and judiciary bodies and other public institutions is achieved when ensured a minimum representation of fifty percent (50%) for each gender, including their governing and decision-making bodies." However, neither central nor local institutions fully abide with the provisions of the law.
Overall, Kosovo women face a set of challenges when progressing into political senior positions, including unconscious bias a scarcity of role models, and a peer group that continually shrinks the more senior they become. These can make striving for the top a lonely and frustrating endeavour.
The under-representation of women in politics constitutes a serious democratic deficit in many countries. It undermines the legitimacy of the contemporary democratic system and violates Human Rights. Parity democracy and the promotion of women in decision-making positions are therefore important areas of action for the EUSR. Parity democracy implies the equal representation of women and men in decision-making positions. It goes a step further than quotas as it is based on the idea that women are not a minority: they represent more than half of humanity – a quantitative dimension – and one of its components – a qualitative dimension.
The EU is looking for 12 women politicians willing to upgrade, enhance and strengthen their skills, techniques and confidence for standing and running up for political and public posts both at central and municipal level in Kosovo.
Project Description
The project consists of different components with a focus on enabling women to reflect about their experiences, to examine their personal intellectual models and patterns of behaviour that might be standing in their way towards more full participation in the public life in Kosovo and to distinguish these from the structural limitations to exercising their leadership more fully. The project will be implemented in the first half of 2019, but it is envisaged that the network will last much longer.
Firstly, a five-day leadership training will be held. It will blend elements of personal self-discovery, practical skills and leadership strategies to master challenges in the workplace and public life (incl. political parties and offices) to join the ranks of senior leaders in their respective agencies or political parties. The training will be organized in Pristina in English language.
During the training a personalized learning and roadmap will be developed for each participant followed by coaching sessions. The coaching sessions will be provided to all the women individually in English language. A series of individual coaching sessions will help each participant to overcome the identified professional and personal challenges.
Secondly, a workshop with representatives of political parties will result in new awareness and skill set of politicians that will enable women to take part in the public life in new, more effective ways.
Thirdly, a networking event will be organized in Brussels. It will be a study visit for the 12 women that have attended the training. This one-day networking event will be an opportunity for them to meet with prominent women from the EU Commission, the EU Parliament and the European Women's Lobby. The networking would enable the women to establish contacts and future cooperation in the field of gender equality.
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Project title:
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Women in Politics – confidence, influence and effective leadership |
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Timeline of the Project: |
March 2019 – June 2019 (tentatively) |
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Call for applications issued on:
Deadline for applications: |
04 February 2019
Monday, 18 February 2019, CoB |
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Organizer: |
Office of the European Union Special Representative in Kosovo |
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Number of candidates to be selected: |
12 |
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Qualifications and skills: |
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General Professional Experience: |
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How to Apply: |
Applicants are required to send their applications in English (CV and motivation letter) by e-mail to:
Annette.fath-lihic@ext.eeas.europa.eu
Interview will be part of the selection process.
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