Gender equality as a fundamental value for the democratic development of society is guaranteed by the legal framework of the Republic of Kosovo. Local legislation also defines general and special measures for the protection and provision of equal rights of women and men. However, equal gender representation in institutions is still far from the 50 percent foreseen by the Law on Gender Equality.

The research carried out by EC Ma Ndryshe in the 7 large municipalities of Kosovo, shows that the aspect of gender equality is not taken into account in the management of schools and even less in their naming.

According to research data, in the Municipality of Prishtina, out of 53 school principals, 33 are men and 20 are women, or 62.3% with 37.7%.

In the Municipality of Prizren, out of 58 school principals, 48 are men and 10 are women, or 82.8% with 17.2%.

In the Municipality of Peja, out of 33 school principals, 23 are men and 10 are women, or 69.7% to 30.3%.

In the Municipality of Ferizaj, out of 47 school principals, 31 are men and 16 are women, or 66% to 34%.

In the Municipality of Gjilan, out of 32 school principals, 30 are men and 2 are women, or 93.8% with 6.3%.

In the Municipality of Gjakova, out of 47 school principals, 42 are men and 5 are women, or 89.4% to 10.6%.

In the Municipality of South Mitrovica, out of 32 school principals, 22 are men and 10 are women, or 68.8% to 31.3%.

While the gender ratio of naming schools in the 7 large municipalities of Kosovo is even deeper, since only 3.5% of schools in these municipalities bear women's names.

EC Ma Ndryshe reminds that the provisions of the Law on Gender Equality oblige the legislative, executive and judicial bodies at all levels, as well as other public institutions, to adopt and implement special measures to achieve the representation of the less represented gender, until achieving equal representation of women and men according to this law. "Equal gender representation in all legislative, executive and judicial bodies and other public institutions is achieved when a minimum representation of 50% is ensured for each gender, including their management and decision-making bodies".

As for the general measures for preventing gender discrimination and ensuring gender equality, the Law foresees that institutions take into account the issue of gender equality even in the case of naming schools.

As in the case of street naming, EC Ma Ndryshe recommends the authorities and municipal bodies to always take the aspect of gender equality into account, in all decision-making, so as to avoid any kind of discrimination. It also calls on them to implement general and special measures to protect and ensure the equal rights of women and men.

This activity is supported by the program of the Kosovo Foundation for Civil Society KCSF 'EJA Kosovo', co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Swedish Agency for International Development and Cooperation (Sida).