Women in Media Network Officially Launches Under the “Breaking the Moulds – Shaping the Future” Project
Tirana, June 26, 2025 – At the Europe House in Tirana, the Women in Media Network held its inaugural event as part of the “Breaking the Moulds – Shaping the Future” project. The project is implemented by the organization Albanian Women in Audiovisual (AWA), in collaboration with SCiDEV, and supported by the Delegation of the European Union to Albania. The Women in Media Network is a key initiative of AWA, aimed at fostering collaboration, empowerment, and professional development for women and girls in media and the audiovisual sector in Albania. Following the completion of the project’s initial phase, the Network now counts around 155 members across Albania, with 75% based in the Tirana region.
A Network for Collaboration and Mutual Support
Sabina Kodra, Executive Director of AWA, opened the event with remarks highlighting the organization’s eight-year journey. She emphasized that AWA was founded to empower the often invisible potential of women in the media and audiovisual fields in Albania. The Women in Media Network, she noted, is an informal platform designed to offer a sustainable space for experience-sharing, capacity-building, and mutual support among professionals, while addressing the challenges women face in Albania’s media environment.
Valbona Sulçe, media expert and one of the Network’s founders, shared the story of its creation alongside Irena Myzeqari and a group of female journalists. She emphasized the importance of building a dedicated platform for women in media — a place to connect, collaborate, and advocate for improved gender representation and equity in the industry. The Network’s key focus areas include mentorship, thematic workshops, advocacy for equal representation and leadership, and support for personal well-being and professional solidarity.
The Challenges of Gender-Sensitive Journalism
Blerjana Bino, Executive Director of SCiDEV, presented key findings from a study on gender-sensitive journalism conducted under the “Breaking the Moulds – Shaping the Future” project. She pointed out that pressure for clicks, fast-paced news cycles, and structural barriers in media are obstacles to sustainable and gender-sensitive reporting.
Bino emphasized the need for internal gender policies, capacity building through training and mentoring, stronger networks, and continuous advocacy on gender issues. She affirmed SCiDEV’s ongoing commitment to supporting women and girls in media.
Fjolla Spanca, project coordinator at AWA, shared insights from a survey conducted among Network members regarding their workplace challenges, balancing family and career, and proposed solutions. These findings will inform the development of empowerment programs for women and girls in media over the coming year.
Voices of Experience in Media
In a panel discussion, veteran journalist Alida Tota shared reflections on the importance of passion in journalism and peer support. She stressed the need for close collaboration with editorial teams and editors-in-chief to create better conditions for women in the field.
Renowned investigative journalist Klodiana Lala shared personal and professional experiences, emphasizing the need for solidarity among women in media amid the everyday challenges they face. Lala also highlighted the lack of coordinated responses from women in public life when female journalists are threatened or attacked, calling for more united, vocal, and impactful reactions.
Meanwhile, Mirela Milori, a journalist and TV host with 20 years of experience, stated that the mindset suggesting women compete with each other should be considered outdated. She praised the Women in Media Network as a meaningful and necessary example of a new kind of engagement among women in the field.
Successful entrepreneur and AWA co-founder Rafaela Rica expressed excitement at seeing so many women gathered for a shared goal. She reflected on her career journey and how her approach to work changed after becoming a mother. Rica emphasized the need for greater flexibility and attention to the specific challenges women face, especially mothers juggling dual responsibilities.
Mentorship – Investing in the Future
A key highlight of the event was the introduction of the Mentorship Program, a core component of the project that connects experienced journalists with aspiring young women pursuing a career in media.
Mentoring teams, composed of professionals such as Esmeralda Keta, Ilda Hoxha, Esiona Konomi, Alida Tota, Doreada Mio, Irena Shabani, Juli Ristani, and Ina Allkanjari, will mentor 20 young media professionals over a 3-month period, following a mentorship model developed during the Network’s pilot phase.
The mentees expressed great enthusiasm for the opportunity to build their careers alongside experienced journalists. They see the mentorship as not only valuable training but also a way to expand their vision and confidence for the future.
Looking Ahead
To conclude the event, Sabina Kodra invited participating women to share their expectations for the Network and express their personal commitments for the next three months.
Additionally, the upcoming activity calendar was presented, featuring meetings, training sessions, and other initiatives aimed at strengthening the role of women in media.
Kodra also introduced “Reimagining Media: Gender, Perspective & Technology”, a three-day bootcamp on innovative media scheduled for September 26–28, 2025, where inclusive storytelling meets innovation, and a new generation of creators is empowered to shape the future of media.
The launch of the Women in Media Network marks a significant step toward building a more equitable, inclusive, and gender-sensitive media landscape in Albania.