Strengthening gender mainstreaming in public policy and legislation within Kosovo's Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Innovation

A two-day capacity-building training on gender mainstreaming in laws and public policy brought together 15 representatives of the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Innovation, and the Kosovo Investment and Enterprise Support Agency (KIESA). Delivered under the Sustainable and Inclusive Growth in Kosovo project, the training aimed to strengthen institutional capacities to systematically integrate gender perspectives into policy development, implementation and monitoring processes.

The training opened with the interactive "Walk of Privilege" exercise, which encouraged participants to reflect on how structural inequalities shape opportunities and outcomes for different groups in society. The activity challenged common assumptions that affirmative measures undermine meritocracy, demonstrating instead that such measures are designed to address unequal starting points and create more equitable opportunities. Through guided discussion, participants explored how privilege, social norms and institutional practices influence access to education, employment, entrepreneurship and decision-making, laying the foundation for a deeper understanding of gender-responsive policy-making.

Building on this reflection, participants examined the legal and policy framework governing gender equality in Kosovo. Particular attention was given to the Law on Gender Equality, which establishes gender mainstreaming as a legal obligation across public institutions and explicitly requires the adoption of affirmative measures where necessary to eliminate existing inequalities. The sessions highlighted that affirmative measures are not exceptions to equality principles but are recognised legal mechanisms for addressing structural discrimination and closing persistent gender gaps.

The training also provided participants with a deeper understanding of the gender mainstreaming checklist, including :

• gender analyses;
• gender-responsive planning;
• gender-responsive budgeting;
• the development of gender-sensitive indicators for monitoring and evaluation;
• gender impact assessments to anticipate and evaluate the effects of policies on different groups.

The second day focused almost entirely on practical application. Working individually and in groups, participants reviewed their own departmental strategies, action plans and policy documents against a comprehensive gender mainstreaming checklist. This exercise enabled them to identify areas of gender blindness, recognise missing data, assess whether existing measures adequately addressed the needs of women and marginalised groups, and formulate concrete recommendations for strengthening future policies and programmes within the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Innovation.

The training reaffirmed that gender mainstreaming is not a standalone activity but a systematic approach to improving the quality, effectiveness and fairness of public policy.

The Sustainable and inclusive growth in Kosovo project is funded by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency. It aims to catalyse sustainable economic growth by fostering innovation, inclusivity and social development in a greener Kosovo. Specifically, the project endeavours to stimulate innovation and both local and foreign investments within a digitally secure and transparent ecosystem.