Albania - November 2025
Parliament adopts revised Law on Gender Equality
On 7 November, Parliament adopted a revised Law on Gender Equality, replacing the 2008 framework with expanded protections against harassment, gender-based violence and anti-discrimination. In genderbased violence cases, the accused, not the victim, will now bear the burden of proof. The law requires state institutions, local government bodies and large employers to integrate gender-equality measures into their planning, budgeting and policy processes. It requires public institutions to ensure no gender holds less than 30 per cent of positions, with a long-term goal of approaching 50 per cent representation. The law supports the equality between ‘women and men in all their diversity,’ ensuring no one is excluded based on how they experience their gender. It aligns with the EU gender equality acquis and implements a recommendation of the UN CEDAW Committee. Women's rights groups hailed the law as historic, while the opposition Democratic Party and 'pro-family' groups called it an attack on traditional values. This ignited one of the largest disinformationfueled hate campaigns against the LGBTQIA+ community the country has seen.
Sources: HRRC, Balkan Insight (1), Balkan Insight (2), Parliament of Albania, Radio Televizioni Shqiptar, Ministry of Justice – Albania, United Nations Albania
