In the framework of the activities with the members of the Municipal Assemblies, DEMOS has supported a member of the Municipal Assembly in Ferizaj/Uroševac, Mimoza Sojeva Pajaziti, in starting discussions with the women of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities about modalities to alleviate illiteracy.
In today’s time, when knowledge and skills of reading and writing are essential to improve life and contribute to society, illiteracy is one of the biggest challenges these women face.
Fatime Rrahmani, intervention manager at DEMOS, emphasized that the members of the municipal assemblies are closer to the community’s demands, therefore the project is supporting them in initiatives aimed at improving services to the citizens they represent in the assembly and increasing their engagement.
Women from the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities who attended the meeting expressed interest in starting the path to learning literacy. One of the participants, Antigona Hasani, explained how the lack of knowledge in this aspect also affects employment:
“We are very interested and we need it. I always apply for jobs, but they ask me every time whether I know how to write and read. I know to some extent, but not much. This also conditions my employment”, Ms Hasani said.
The initiator of this idea, Mimoza Sojeva Pajaziti, a member of the Municipal Assembly in Ferizaj/Uroševac, underlined that the long-term goals of this project are focused on reducing the level of illiteracy in the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities.
She emphasized the need to provide appropriate programs for writing, reading (including number recognition) and learning training. This initiative aims to help implement educational policies adapted to these groups and ensure greater compliance, providing basic knowledge to all women who need it.
“The project aims to influence the improvement of the quality of life of women in these communities by providing not only new writing and reading skills but also by integrating other elements of education such as parenting school, training on employment and support for the development of skills professional. This will help women to be more independent, have opportunities to work in different fields and contribute to their personal and community development”, she said.
In this context, the Directorate of Education plans to provide the school space and necessary resources to support this initiative.
“We, as the directorate, are ready to provide the school space and other necessary resources for the successful implementation of the planned activity according to the project,” stated Afrim Llabjani, Director of Education in Ferizaj/Uroševac.
Pakize Bujani, a member of the Municipal Assembly from the ranks of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, expressed her conviction that opportunities will be created for the employment of these women after they start attending literacy classes. “This means that if they come across any open job vacancies, they will be able to apply on their own, without asking for help or assistance”, she said.
At the end of the meeting, all participants agreed to continue together with the identification of other women who need these lessons. After that, new organizations and mediations will be planned for their learning and training.
The member of the Municipal Assembly of Ferizaj, Mrs Mimoza Sojeva Pajaziti, assured the participants in the meeting that she will engage within the municipality but also with the non-governmental organizations operating in Ferizaj so that the literacy classes begin as soon as possible.
