Poverty, unemployment contribute to family violence, says Topalli

KORCA, Dec. 18 – Parliament Speaker Jozefina Topalli, speaking Tuesday at Korca University, said economic reasons, poverty, and lack of employment were factors contributing to domestic violence against women and children.
Speaking at Fan Noli University, Topalli urged greater public awareness to prevent such violence.
Albania has been involved in an intensive campaign this month to stop domestic violence. Topalli also praised government authorities for drafting a working strategy against this phenomenon, also urging a shift in the public’s attitudes towards domestic violence.
“I believe public awareness is very important,” she said.
Topalli also urged the media to actively support such initiatives, adding it was very important that each woman and child speaks out against domestic violence.
“I believe the authorities should concentrate its energy in the fight against violence in the family because the government’s strength is not the army or its money, but the spirit and love transmitted to our youngsters, children who grow up,” she said.