Prishtina, 24 April 2023 – Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, participated in the “STEMinists” Conference, which aims to support and advance women and girls in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

In addition to Minister Rizvanolli, Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Arbërie Nagavci, Minister of Finance, Labor, and Transfers, Hekuran Murati, and other representatives were also present at the Conference.

In the Panel Discussion on labor market needs and policy-making to meet these needs, the following also participated: Deputy Minister of Education, Edona Maloku-Berdyna, and Valdete Daku from AXIANS.

Minister Rizvanolli said that Kosovo is an example in the region in terms of measures taken so far and planned regarding women’s participation in the energy sector, where the Energy Strategy 2022-2031 has, for the first time, envisaged an increase in the percentage of women’s participation in the sector, to ensure that:

1. We enhance the skills and knowledge of women for energy-related professions; and
2. We work with energy businesses and institutions to help them create more favorable working conditions for women.
3. From the current participation rate of 9%, the target is to reach 25% by 2031.

Minister Rizvanolli also emphasized that MCC is a strong partner in promoting gender equality in Kosovo’s energy sector.

The Ministry of Economy has also planned for the field of ICT, where training will be implemented, ensuring that women and young girls are represented fairly and equally among beneficiaries.

In collaboration with the World Bank, another 2,000 young people are benefiting from training on the most demanded digital skills, where up to 43% of them are girls, added the Minister.

Rizvanolli concluded by stating that discussions and conferences like this are very important to learn what can be done better and what more can be done so that women and girls increasingly become part of STEM fields.