Statement on the UPR Adoption of Albania
Delivered at the 58th Session of the Human Rights Council
Thank you president,
Action Canada makes this statement on behalf of the Gender Alliance for Development Center and the Sexual Rights Initiative.
We acknowledge Albania’s engagement in the UPR process and its commitments to improving labour rights and gender equality. We welcome Albania’s acceptance of the recommendation on the need to reinforce measures for the enhancement of the enjoyment of the right to work, and to just and favourable conditions of work.
However, despite policy advancements in Albania, significant gaps remain in the protection and support of workers, particularly women in rural areas. Labour rights violations persist, especially for women who face systemic barriers to employment and economic security. Whilst the government adopted the National Strategy for Employment and Skills (2023–2030), rural women remain disproportionately excluded from the workforce. Limited access to childcare, a lack of vocational training, and deep-rooted gender norms restrict their participation, leaving them vulnerable to poverty and economic dependence.
Despite formal commitments to gender equality, women in rural areas receive little tangible support. Social protection programs fail to reach those most in need, and access to essential services—such as legal aid for workplace discrimination, protection from domestic violence, and financial resources—remains inadequate. Many women are left alone to navigate economic hardship without government intervention, despite Albania's claims of progress in inclusive employment policies.
We call on Albania to take concrete steps to support rural women, uphold fair labor conditions, and ensure equal economic opportunities. Labor rights must be more than policy—they must be a lived reality for all workers.
This requires enforcing labor laws, guaranteeing fair wages and safe working conditions, expanding child care infrastructure near workplaces, and investing in vocational training for women. True economic empowerment means providing women with real pathways to stability and dignity in the workforce.
Thank you!