In LeTSGEPs we always work hard in implementing Gender Equality Plans and Gender Budgeting initiatives at our six implementing partners. However, to achieve the hoped and expected results in this field, reports and analysis are not enough: it is also important that RPOs appoint a Gender Equality Officer as a point of reference into the Institution on these issues to manage the Gender Focal Point.
Let’s take therefore the occasion of the establishment of the new Gender Focal Point at our Partner, University of Tirana, to meet their Gender Equality Officer, recently appointed, and ask him about his job and tasks.
- May you present yourself, your background and expertise?
I am Juxhin Caushi, part of the IT department of the Rectorate of the University of Tirana, and I have been recently appointed as the gender focal point of the University of Tirana. I have finished my studies for Computer Engineering and since I was a student, I have always participated in different causes and activities helping the community and young people growing up in all aspects. Being part of the US Embassy Council, has also helped me to be more involved in several activities that focused in gender equality as well.
- What are your priorities as gender focal point at UT?
We have a new gender equality plan approved for the University of Tirana and together with the LeTSGEP team, I will fully commit to the implementation of this plan and its actions for the next two years. I would mention here one of the measures that relate to work-life balance. In addition to the creation of the mentioned facilities, such as parking or classrooms on the first and second floors secondly, as part of the IT department of UT, I plan to create an action plan for all parents who have under their care children of 0-5 years old and who are teaching or working at UT. This plan includes a dedicated and fast technical support for these parents during their online teaching or meetings or with other presentations as well.
- Which are the first actions you plan to do?
As part of the IT department and having access on Microsoft Teams platforms, I can help with the gender data statistics’ collection and analysis leading to the calculation of respective gender equality indicators. Furthermore, I have been in contact with some students from the Faculty of Social Sciences, UT, who have expressed their desire and willingness to carry out mini projects thanks to the LeTSGEP project, near their faculty including also the UT staff. I believe that such initiatives and the desire of the new generation to be more involved in these kind of projects should always have our support.