GENDER EQUALITY AND IT’S CONTRIBUTION TO ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN ALBANIA.

Abstract

This research aims to give an overview of the contribution of Gender Equality to economic growth and sustainable development of Albania. Despite the research on the studies and the actual situation, it will present a regression analyze on economic data as well. Albania is a small country with a young open economy, from 1992 Albania operates in a democratic country with an open trade. In years one of the basic goals of the state and economy of Albania has been the EU Accession and each valuable law considering this basic fact has been part of the Albanian policy. Essential for the Albanian democracy but as well for the EU integration is the Gender Equality. Impact of the Gender Equality in Economic Growth is very considerable and essential for the progress. According to the researches made from Chathan House and Vivid Economics the study considered many facts. Firstly, Gender Equality makes market more competitive, as well as it increases investments in physical capital, also it has an impact on the macroeconomic stability. Opposite to that the gender inequality reduces agricultural productivity etc. Over the past three years and more in Albania have been operating many projects and initiatives from the UN Women in order to promote and implement equality in Albania within men and women. A significant effort has been given in the strengthening of laws in promotion of gender equality, basically can be mentioned; law of 2004 on “Gender Equality”, law of 2006 on “National Violence” and law of 2008 on “Gender Equality in Society” etc. As previously mentioned this paper will give a picture of the Gender Equality situation in Albania in the moment and what has been done from the first forward actions. One of the basic principles of the equality is being equal in the work value, payment, trainings etc, that’s why a factor highlighting this equality is the increase of the women employment compared to the men. Methodology used is the regression analyzes. Official data uploaded from the official website of the stats cover the real percentage of the women employment and the annual real growth of GDP, for a ten year range. This analyze will conclude on actual statistical facts of the true impact that the Gender Equality has had in the Albanian economy.