The socialist majority approved the draft law "On Gender Equality" on Thursday, November 6, while the opposition, which voted against it, called it a threat to the traditional family.
The law passed with 77 votes. "Pro" of the SP, while protests were organized outside the Parliament, with the support of the opposition.
The majority voted in favor of the draft, including MP Taulant Balla, also the chairman of the SP parliamentary group, who had proposed changes to the first version drafted in collaboration with civil society and non-governmental organizations.
During the vote, Balla read the new definition of the term "gender", which is in line with the Istanbul Convention.
“Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for women and men.”
This definition, included in Article 4 of the law, was approved along with other amendments, passing the law into law.
Positive reactions and criticism after the vote
The decision was welcomed by the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination, Robert Gajda, who called for reflection on the public debates that accompanied the process.
“All the concerns, prejudices and misunderstandings that accompanied the adoption of the law should be part of an in-depth analysis with stakeholders interested in human rights.”
On social media, human rights lawyer Dea Nini described the approval as "historic victory for equality".
While Mirela Arqimandriti from the "Gender Alliance for Development Center" (GDAC) said that this law represents a step towards a society that implements equality as "constitutional obligation and European standard, not as a slogan".
GDAC and other civil society organizations announced a press conference on November 7th to explain the innovations the law brings in the fields of labor, education, and political representation.
According to representatives of the organizations, the law guarantees: equal protection in the workplace for women and men; gender-sensitive education and budgeting; recognition of unpaid family care work; fair sharing of family responsibilities, as well as equal representation in politics and decision-making.
But the approval of the law did not pass without tension. After the session, several dozen protesters awaited the socialist deputies as they exited the Parliament, chanting: "Shame!", “Traitors!” and "You sold Albania!"
The protesters, affiliated with conservative and religious groups, expressed opposition to the law, which they said, "endangers the family and public morals."
Citizens.al has previously explained that the law does not add new genders, does not include provisions for same-sex marriages, and does not affect the law on civil status or the Family Code, which recognizes two official genders: man and woman.
This clarification was made following disinformation campaigns spread on social media and the media during the approval process.
Read also:
- Are "70 Genders" Being Legalized in Albania? Here's the Truth
- The positive elements brought by the draft law on gender equality
- Gender Equality Law: Civil Society Opposes the Majority's "Step Back"
He completed his master's studies in the department of Journalism and Communication Sciences at the University of Tirana. She has been reporting for more than four years in Citizens.al on issues of culture, urban development, feminism, etc. She is also a contributor to other local and foreign online media, and has worked in the editing of various materials. She is the author of the podcast "Pezull" on Citizens.al and is engaged as a coordinator of projects related to the empowerment of young journalists and migration issues.
