On June 18, 2025, The Albanian Women Empowerment Network, with the support of UN Women Albania and the United Kingdom, hosted a journalism competition on the topic of women’s rights and gender equality reporting. The first winning article, was written by Aurora Velaj for her piece on the challenges women faces when entering politics, focusing on the role gender plays in decision-making. In her piece, Velaj articulated the importance of more structural support for women to achieve equal participation in a male-dominated political arena. The second prize was awarded to Iida Hoxha for her article on the emotional and financial struggles of in vitro fertilization (IVF), highlighting the pressure women face regarding motherhood and fertility treatments. The third prize went to an investigative report by Anesti Bajramemaj on how the available support and protection system for survivors of domestic violence is insufficient to break the cycle of abuse for women and their children. Although it seems as if there are only three winners, this competition is a victory for the country. As a result of this competition, Albania now has 32 journalists who are educated on gender equality and committed to ethical reporting.
Compiled from: “Journalists Awarded Prizes for Outstanding Reporting on Women’s Rights in Albania," UN Women Albania, June 18, 2025.