The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979 and was ratified by Albania in November 1993. In spite of more than 30 years of its existence, it is only known to a minor part of the Albanian public. This document is a shadow report to the Third Periodic Report of the Albanian Government on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (December 2008) addressed to the United Nations’ CEDAW Committee. Albanian women’s organizations and associations have critically examined and commented on the Government report.

The Gender Alliance for Development Center (GADC), the Albanian Women Empowerment Network (AWEN) and the Network Against Gender-Based Violence and Trafficking, brought together their respective comments and opinions and, by common agreement, prepared this report to be presented to the CEDAW committee in July 2010. The cooperation between the Gender Alliance for Development Center (GADC), the Albanian Women Empowerment network (AWEN), and the Network Against Gender-Based Violence and Trafficking is highly representative of the NGO sector and created opportunities for a broad based involvement on their part. The actual drafting of the report went hand in hand with various other activities such as meetings, training sessions, and seminars in different regions in Albania. This Shadow Report was drawn up by a working group composed of team leader Prof. Dr. Arta Mandro-Balili, Prof. Dr. Aurela Anastasi, Ms. Mirela Arqimandriti and Ms. Vera Lesko in the period from February 2010 to May 2010.

Please click the link:

http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cedaw/cedaws46.htm.