Informal women’s caucus remains one of the most adequate mechanisms to address the needs of women at local level. Addressing the problems, ensuring protection, raising the voice and representation of women from non- formal groups in terms of local institutions remain issues of particular importance. The establishment of informal women caucus aims at empowering and strengthening women in local governance.

Currently, Mamusha Municipality is the only municipality in the region of Prizren, which did not establish such a group. KDI has initiated a meeting with women of Mamusha’s Assembly, Vice Mayor and Official for Gender Equality.

While the Municipal Assembly of Mamusha represented only 5 women the assembly, the idea to establish an informal group which would include other stakeholders outside the municipal assembly would result in a representation and greater involvement of the group in protecting the interest women of Mamuşa.
 
Vice Mayor of the Municipality of Mamusha  Mrs. Ganimete Sadiku praised this initiative and expressed readiness for the formation of this group, considering the group as an encouragement to the process of undertaking activities which will strengthen the profile of women and will protect their interests more.

Gender Equality Official Mrs. Seylan Mazrek stressed that such a group will help women of the Municipality of Mamusha raising some important issues to local and central authorities that have to do with gender equality in the municipality. Additionally, women of Mamusha assembly expressed their willingness to establish an informal group of women caucus and claimed that such a group would serve to facilitate the needs of women in the municipality especially health care issues.

At this meeting it was also discussed the “Regulation on non- formal women caucus”, according to which some decisions were taken with regard to the rotation of election of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of this group. Moreover, there were highlighted some good and successful practices and experiences of non- formal groups of women caucus of other municipalities , which will be used as a model for the development of activities by the Women Caucus in the municipality of Mamusha.

 

This activity is undertaken under the project “Involvement of citizens for transparency and accountability” supported by the Olof Palme Centre ( OPIC).