March 8th, Minister Kodheli writes a congratulatory letter to women and girls employees in the MoD and AAF

Published: Tuesday, 08 March 2016 15:26

Today on the occasion of march 8th, International Women's Day, Defence Minister Mrs. Kodheli has written a letter of congratulation and encouragement to all female employees, military and civilian, in the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces.

In the beginning of her letter, Minister Kodheli considers this festive day of women, mothers, sisters, and girls as a day of reflection. "Naturally our mind goes to the sacrifices, energy and sometimes to the voiceless pain of the past, to the harmony of our family, to our everyday struggle to have a successful and dignified career, to everything beautiful and joyful with which fate has fondled us.”- Minister Kodheli writes in her letter.

"The strength and the power that we have, in order to make the world safer and better, is infinite. The power we have, should serve to do our best. Only in this way every day of our lives will be a March 8th itself. "- Concludes the letter Minister Kodheli.

On the International Women's Day is worth mentioning the personal commitment of Minister Kodheli in reaching the level of representation of women in the Armed Forces to 15%. The percentage of female military personnel in the Armed Forces today is 13,6%. 7 women hold a directory position in the Ministry of Defence and General Staff of AAF, while a woman Colonel is serving as a military representative in our diplomatic representations abroad.

During 2015, out of 300 applicants who applied to join the AAF, were selected 22 women or 7,3%, while the number for 2016 has been doubled. The number of female personnel who have advanced in grade and career is 102 or 21,08 % (from 466 that were promoted).

Below you find the content of Minister’s letter for March 8

Dear...
I started writing this letter, which may seem unusual to you because of my position, considering this festive day of women, mothers, sisters, and girls firstly as a day of reflection.

Naturally our mind goes to the long path of sacrifices, energies and sometimes to the voiceless pain of the past. Also the mind goes to the harmony in our family, for which we fight so hard, to the health of those we love and to life that we have given and defend, to our desire for a better future, and to hope, that should die the last.

We also think of our everyday struggle for having a successful and dignified career, a safe job and respect for what we represent, especially when it comes to an environment of ‘male’ dominance, such as the environment where you have worked or you are working.

But as well it comes quite natural to think of everything beautiful and joyful with which fate has fondled us. Such as being the daughters of our wonderful parents, beloved grandchildren of grandparents, being mothers of our children that are the reason of our existence, sisters and friends, colleagues and acquaintances of everyone who has believed in what we represent, but also being women or faithful and devoted wives of our partner.
For all the above and for many other reasons, I think that the strength and the power that we have, in order to make the world safer and better, is infinite.

A well-known American writer says: “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any.” Precisely, the power that we have should serve in order to do our best. Only in this way every day of our lives will be a March 8th itself.
Happy International Women’s Day!

Mimi Kodheli