Dear Deputy Minister Edona Maloku-Berdyna
Dear Mr. Gokhan Acikgoz, CFO of Limak 
Dear Deputy Rector Njomza Llullaku, University of Prishtina,  Deputy Rector Merita Shala, University of Mitrovica
Dear Young Engineers,

We are all brought here today because of a shared vision: to empower women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and to contribute to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in Kosovo. 
And what a better day to have this event than on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This year the day is focused on the promotion of women and girls in science - as a way to accelerate sustainable and equitable development - and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. 

This year’s theme highlights the importance of strengthening the ties between science, policy, and society – and shows the important role that women and girls play in accelerating the progress towards a more sustainable future.

As part of UNDP’s Western Balkans regional programme for women’s economic empowerment, we initiated the Women in STEM Network in Kosovo. It has grown into a network of over 40 successful women from a variety of STEM sectors and profiles. We are pleased to have some of the members present here today. 

Worldwide, STEM fields are crucial to driving innovation and economic growth, especially as we aim to transition to carbon-neutral economies. There is more demand in the labour market for the skills and expertise in this sector. Being engaged in STEM also typically translates into better salaries. 

In Kosovo, more than half (56%) of all students enrolled during 2021-2022 in public and private universities were women (KAS 2022). However, among STEM students, only one third (32%) were women compared to 68% of men. On the other hand, women were more successful in graduating, which increased the percentage of women who graduate from STEM to 44 %. 

Despite this improvement in percentage of women, in Kosovo, women remain under-represented in the labour market, economy, academia and decision-making. The STEM fields are no exception. 

We all want to see more women engaged in STEM. This will not only contribute to women’s empowerment, but women’s equal participation and diversity will also accelerate the development of the STEM sectors. These sectors are critically important and hold high potential for Kosovo’s economy and sustainable development. Women play an important role in the climate action and twin transition (green & digital) – for which all the creative and innovative capacities need to be harnessed. 

We are very happy that Global Engineer Girls, an international philanthropic initiative that was started by Limak in Turkey in 2015 and implemented in partnership with UNDP, has now reached Kosovo. We are proud to be partnering with Limak in bringing this project to Kosovo and happy that the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) is joining this initiative. 

Replicating successful practices is what this project will bring to Kosovo. We are happy to have 20 amazing young women in STEM selected to be part of the GEG program, and we look forward to supporting them in their journey and celebrate their growth and successes in the future. 

Wishing you all happy International Day of Women & Girls in Science!