TIRANA, Oct. 27 – Women in Albania are less likely to receive a pension in old age, making them significantly more likely to suffer poverty, according to a United Nations report on progress of the world’s women for 2015-2016.
The report shows only 61 percent of women in Albania above the statutory pensionable age of 60 receive an old age pension, compared to 100 percent of men, leaving 39 percent of women vulnerable to poverty.
An average of more than 70 percent of Albanian women report difficulties in accessing health care. The rate for the lowest wealth quintile of Albanian women is at about 95 percent, says the UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.
When it comes to laws mandating gender equality, Albania guarantees non-discrimination based on gender hiring and bans sexual harassment in employment but does not offer equal remuneration for work of equal value.
Under the new pension reform, starting January 2015, the retirement age for women, currently at 60, will gradually increase by two months per year to reach 63 years old by 2032. The increase in retirement age for men, currently at 65, will continue only after 2032, to reach 67. The retirement age for both men and women is expected to increase to 67 years old by 2056.
Albania also has one of the best maternity leaves offering a minimum of 52 weeks of paid leave at 80 percent of total wage.
A quality education, a decent job, access to healthcare and a life free from violence and discrimination are necessary foundations for women and girls to be equal partners with men and boys in every aspect of life, says Bank Ki-Moon, the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
