In a powerful display of solidarity and defiance, women and girls in Tirana joined forces to protest in front of the Prime Minister's office on International Women's Day, March 8 (2024).
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| From the protest in Tirana where some women are seen burning their recipes and some journalists filming, March 8, 2024 |
Marching with banners in hand and a banner proclaiming "The Night Is Ours," they set a symbolic fire in front of the Prime Minister's office, burning recipes as a sign of rebellion.
This protest comes in response to a series of violent acts against Albanian women and girls. Official statistics, as well as daily news reports on Albanian-language television and portals, shed light on a disturbingly high number of cases involving violence and sexual assault against women, perpetrated by family members, criminals, and even pedophiles.
The protest commenced at 18:00 in the Student City, and it is expected that after the Prime Minister's office, the women and girls will march towards the Municipality of Tirana.
The rallying cry of "The Night Is Ours" echoes a growing frustration and determination to bring attention to the pervasive issue of gender-based violence in Albania. The act of burning recipes is a symbolic gesture, a collective expression of defiance against the status quo and a demand for change.
International Women's Day has become a platform for women and girls in Tirana to voice their concerns, demand justice, and call for an end to the violence that has marred their lives. As the protest moves towards the Municipality of Tirana, the hope is that their voices will resonate not only on the streets but also in the halls of power, sparking a movement that drives tangible change in addressing and preventing violence against women in Albania.