PRESS RELEASE: IWD 2024

Today, on International Women’s Day, UN Women, Meridian Corporation and SPAR, unveiled the “Use Your Potential: Come Work with Us” initiative. This ground-breaking program targets middle-aged and older women who have been absent from the workforce until now, aiming to economically empower them by facilitating their entry into the private sector. 

The launch of this initiative underscores the crucial importance of investing in women’s economic empowerment, paving a direct path towards gender equality, poverty eradication, and inclusive economic growth. Internationally, the theme for International Women’s Day revolves around “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.” 

Agon Gashi, CEO of Meridian Express, affirmed the company's commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and their endorsement of the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs). Underlining this commitment, they launched an initiative aimed at creating employment opportunities specifically tailored for middle-aged women, fostering mutual benefit. 

“One of the main goals of the company persists in empowering women through the provision of a secure and supportive work environment. We place a specific emphasis on the recruitment of women in the middle age bracket, alongside offering comprehensive training and development opportunities to enhance their professional capabilities. This dedication is substantiated by current statistics, with over 30% of our employed women falling within this demographic. Furthermore, we anticipate a steady rise in these numbers, as our goal over the next three years is to employ more than 100 middle-aged women.” 

Speaking at the launch, UN Women Head of Office, Vlora Tuzi-Nushi, emphasized, that this initiative is crucial at empowering middle-aged women by integrating or reintegrating them to work and changing perceptions around this social category. 

“Empowering middle-aged women through employment not only enriches their lives but also strengthens their position in society and family, thus leading to overall economic development. In line with this year’s global International Women’s Day theme “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”, and we are delighted to align with this initiative, which promises tangible impacts on women's lives. Meridian Express serves as an exemplary model of how the private sector can actively engage in empowering women." 

Further, Meridian Express introduced Sanije, 52 years old, woman who recently moved to Prishtina and started working for the very first time in her life with the company in a sales position. 

“I needed a job, but I had never worked in my life previously. I live in the building just above the Meridian Express and I was a regular client here and one day I decided to ask if they need new staff. I am immensely grateful for their willingness to welcome me aboard and support me through this challenging transition." 

Women constitute a vital force within economies worldwide, contributing significantly whether in business ventures, agricultural endeavors, entrepreneurial pursuits, employment roles, or through their invaluable unpaid care work within households. As a leading employer of women, the private sector assumes a pivotal role in advancing gender equality and women's empowerment both within Kosovo and globally. 

Meridian Express stands among the first private sector companies to endorse the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) in Kosovo, aligning with over 9000 businesses worldwide committed to fostering practices such as equal pay for equal work, gender-responsive supply chain management, and a zero-tolerance policy against sexual harassment in the workplace. 

Established by the United Nations Global Compact and UN Women, the WEPs draw upon international labor and human rights standards, rooted in the belief that businesses bear a responsibility for promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. 

Until the end of this year, UN Women, Meridian Express and SPAR, will endeavor to economically empower a significant number of women, catalyzing tangible progress towards gender equality and inclusive economic development.