H.E. Dr. Vjosa Osmani Sadriu The President of the Republic of Kosovo visit to Thailand

Many women leaders are sharing the global stage. One of the world’s newest democracies, Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Dr. Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, a then 38-year-old US educated reformist lawyer was elected President in April 2021. 

President Osmani recently visited Bangkok to present a keynote speech at the Women Global Summit. Expat Life was very fortunate to be selected as one of the exclusive media channels to sit down with Her Excellency to talk about women’s role in politics, gender equality and women empowerment. 

You are a trailblazer in your political career as the first female Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo, how do you see the role of women in politics?

Women empowerment means more women in all walks of life – in politics, entrepreneurship, academia, and civil society. The common denominator for a better representation on all these spheres is the need of transforming power relations and addressing structural inequalities.  With a much more women powerful presence, the rules of the game will continue to change. More women politicians and more female business leaders, means a fairer treatment for all, including gender equality. I speak from experience: in 1999 Kosovo was a country in ruin as consequence of the genocidal regime of the then-Serbian ruler Slobodan Milosevic – 13 thousand people were killed, half of the population bore the ‘refugee’ tag, 70 per cent of properties were destroyed. After the liberation, the country had to go through big transformation – political, economic and cultural. Women were integral part of the peaceful resistance, of the war and of the post-war transformative work. It has not been always easy but today, our society is one of the most progressive, wise and visionary societies, by understanding that women perspective, thoughts and style of leadership enrich government and make it more responsive. It is, therefore, no coincidence that as we speak, 35% of MPs and 33% of ministers in Kosovo are women, and the country has elected two women Presidents. Wherever there are women, there is more accountability. Same as the economy, which does not work only based on the law of supply and demand, in politics also beliefs and perceptions change reality. This has happened in Kosovo, where the energetic measures against corruption have resulted with increased foreign investments and a double-digit growth in 2021.

Your professional background has covered lecturing in various universities, how important do you view education as an opportunity for gender equality?

Numerous studies prove that a child who is exposed to words, readings, love and caring in his first three years, has better chances to succeed later in life. Let us call it a foundation. Again, women, mothers are the ones who are in closer contact during this period. As the proverb has it, educate a woman and you educate an entire nation. On a second reflection, it is not only the individual effort of a woman, of a mother, to educate her own child. The entire system in place, meaning a society that grants equal rights to women that treats women with dignity, a society that values their contribution, equally as much of that of men, it is the kind of society that protects the mothers and children and allow a healthy upbringing.  This transformative work cannot be done in one generation but it is the duty of one generation to start it. From a patriarchal society, we navigate a system of values where leadership, authority, power is associated with men and masculinity. We need to correct that, speak up, stand up and build up in favor of a more equal society. We need an equality contract between all members of society – women and men.

As a married mother of twins, and at the same time being the head of state, how do you strike a work life balanced for your young family?

It is a combination of factors and one is the equality with my husband and the very supportive role of our respective families. 

Certainly, it is not an easy walk. It starts with the motivation to succeed – our potential was quietly suppressed within four walls, for centuries. In the last 100 years the progress has been enormous.

It continues with the desire to serve. This is a journey that starts with you and a process during which one understands and controls the self before exercising leadership and providing service to others. 

Keeping the priorities right, is the third thing. In order to excel, is not the likability, but credibility that should be sought. 

Last but not least – being prepared to fail. The failures are the seal of achievement.  We should not be afraid of them. We should learn from them and move forward. 

I have looked for and found role models in the history of my country, in my family, in today Kosovo society as well as women worldwide.  As more women go into the public domain, we can interact and support each-other. Numbers matter. We should lean in. Hence, my presence in Global Summit of Women is a testimony of my commitment to the women empowerment.  We lead through example. We learn through cooperation.  It is an enriching experience. 

As a woman country leader, what specific agenda have you set for Women, Peace and Security for Kosovo?

Kosovo is a safe country and a thriving economy. We are here because of our determination and because of the help that was unwaveringly granted to us by the international community during the dark hours, back in the ‘90s. 

It is about time that Kosovo showcases that it is not merely a consumer but also an exporter of peace and stability. Therefore, my office will host in the capital Prishtina this October the first edition of the Women, Peace and Security Forum. Hosting the Kosovo international WPS Forum is indeed one of our Summit for Democracy’s Year of Action commitments, however Women Peace and Security are central pillars of Kosovo’s vision for sustainable peace domestically, regionally and globally. The WPS Forum will occur at a time when peace, freedom and security are under attack in the very heart of Europe, with women and girls yet again at the center of violence, torture and inhumane treatment. The Forum aims to bring together world leaders, academics, civil society, representatives of international organizations, influencers and other interest groups at the center of the Western Balkans to discuss challenges posed to the WPS Agenda and the underlying importance of this agenda for enduring, equitable and sustainable peace, but equally so, for the empowerment of girls and women around the world. The Forum will focus on Partnerships for Sustainable Peace and serve as a platform for sharing best practices and lessons learned, as well as developing inclusive and gender balanced strategies and designing new frameworks of action in the wake of an ever-changing architecture of security and peace in Europe and beyond. Striving to promote peace, freedom and democracy around the world, this Forum puts girls and women at the center of successful and sustainable efforts in this endeavor. In this spirit, the Forum will promote a stronger role for women across all areas of life and in particular towards advancing the WPS Agenda.

You are an advocate to sustainable development, what plans have you set for Kosovo to achieve this?

The geopolitical context of the moment has created a sense of unprecedented urgency to diversify energy sources. There is no quick fix but we are working to strike the right balance between solutions that do not compromise the security of energy supply today, and solutions that do not jeopardize our ambitions for decarbonization in the future on the other. There is a dialogue in the country that aims a shared vision for a green, sustainable, and healthy future.

Even before the Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the consequential spiking energy prices, we were working on a green agenda. Two years ago, Kosovo and other Western Balkans countries signed Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda that aims to align our region with EU Green Deal. We are committed to ending the use of all fossil fuels by 2050 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. 

Green energy, investment in energy efficiency, sustainable waste treatment and reduction of their production, protected environment, livable cities, smart transport, and clean air – are the new investments, education and labor front. 

We are taking an integrated approach by working on three levels: municipal, national and regional (the Balkans).  Kosovo is a landlocked country therefore we have invested in connectivity and transport. Now the challenge is to make the transport system more efficient. In this regard, we have committed to building a railway with neighboring Albania, ensure access to the sea and will connect Kosovo to major European transport corridors. This will be a big project and an opportunity for foreign investors.

During her two-days short visit, President Osmani officiated the opening of The Embassy of Kosovo to the Kingdom of Thailand. President Osmani paid a courtesy call to Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha at the Government House. To initiate more business opportunities, President Osmani met with key representatives of Joint Foreign Chamber of Commerce and held round table discussions with Diplomats Council of Thailand.