By Ahmad Idzwan Arzmi
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- The world would be a 'totally different place' if more women were in positions of power, said former Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga, who, as the country's first female head of state, called for women to be placed at the decision-making table.
She embarked on a work trip to Kuala Lumpur for WE2025: Future in Motion, a regional platform that brings together women leaders in trade, investment, and innovation.
She said it offers women the opportunity to express themselves and expand their networks amid today's global challenges.
"What I would love to see even more of on WE2025 is the continued implementation of concrete outcomes. I would not like to see things remain only as policy papers or boxes to be ticked, but translated into concrete implementation on the ground, in reality, because it is all about the impact on people's lives," she told Bernama on Wednesday.
WE2025, anchored on five key pillars – Women Economics, Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, Excellence and Evolution – aims to enhance women's participation in the regional economy through policy dialogue, strategic cooperation, and trade and investment opportunities.
Jahjaga, who led Kosovo from 2011 to 2016, took office just three years after the republic gained independence from Serbia in 2008, steering a young post-conflict nation while advancing women's empowerment and inclusive leadership.
She took a different approach to decision-making, drawing heavily on her career in the Kosovo Police to stay close to the public.
Her main goal as a police officer was to transform the perception of authority in her generation from one that was once feared into one that truly serves and protects the people.
"I brought that experience and expertise into my decision-making process, and it really helped me during my term as president to have a more accurate judgment of the situation on the ground, especially the needs and requirements of my people," she said.
Apart from women holding high office, the former president said many women still face obstacles, regardless of geography or level of development.
She cited gender-based violence, economic inequalities, limited legal protection, lack of access to education, wage gaps, barriers to healthcare, political under-representation, unpaid domestic work, workplace discrimination and online harassment as among the key issues confronting women.
Despite that, she stressed that women have much more to offer to combat these issues.
She noted that inclusion, transparency and empathy are key for today's success.
"It is an added value for the country and, in our case (women's role), it's the way we lead our nation," she urged.
She also pointed to Kosovo's progress in women's representation in politics, noting its higher quota for women in parliament.
"I can proudly say that Kosovo is one of the greatest examples in the entire region of the southeastern part of Europe. Today we have over 40 per cent of women represented," she said.
Following the end of her presidential term, she established the Jahjaga Foundation in 2018 to continue serving her country.
It focuses on education, economic empowerment and full participation in politics among adult women and youths.
Moreover, the foundation is also a platform to tackle post-war societal issues, including organised crimes, corruption and violent extremism.
"We've had quite a difficult path as Kosovars, but also as a region of the Western Balkans or the southeastern part of Europe. I want to continue contributing to building bridges among different community groups within Kosovo and in the region," she said.
She said about 61 per cent of Kosovo's population is under 28, highlighting an urgent need for platforms to build the younger generation's experience and expertise in these fields.
"I wanted to offer this platform for the young boys and girls of Kosovo, using the moral authority of a former president to help them do the right thing for their country and their people," she explained.
Meanwhile, upon returning to Malaysia a decade after her official visit as president, she said the warmth and hospitality of the Malaysian people remained unchanged.
Her message to young Malaysians was to safeguard these values.
"Preserve this as much as you can, because it is also the signature of your country. I come from approximately the same kind of culture, and we are trying to preserve it the best way we can, because we are doing a favour to our country and to the younger generation," she said.
On the diplomatic front, she expressed profound gratitude to the Malaysian government for its consistent support of the country.
"Malaysia was one of the first countries that contributed with your troops in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Kosovo, immediately after the end of the war, to help our country, our people and our institutions in building and rebuilding our country," she said.
She said that when Kosovo declared independence, Malaysia was among the first Asian countries to recognise the republic.
In May 2025, Kosovo officially opened its embassy in Kuala Lumpur, marking a strategic milestone in expanding its diplomatic presence and strengthening ties with Malaysia.
--BERNAMA
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