The Albanian Society for All Ages, a movement of activists transforming women’s lives

The Albanian Society for All Ages (ASAG) is the only voice for older women in Albania. Ermira Pirdeni, ASAG Executive Director works tirelessly to provide supplementary platforms to express and exchange opinions and share concern about the future of the Albanian ageing society. 

Global statistics point out one fact: women live longer than man. In a country like Albania, where even the basic ageing facilities are missing, such changes should be at the focus of public debate, since they are radically transforming the world, as we know it.

A poor and inadequate lifestyle at an older age is and will remain a factor of fear and uncertainty for younger generations. There is no better than now to act together towards encouraging participation and change in defining and supporting the older women’s role in our lives.

Right from its very foundation, the Albanian Society for All Ages (ASAG) has been constantly trying to make known its concerns over the ageing women. The establishment of this Association is a normal continuation of the Albanian Women Independent movement, which began in March 1991 and reached its culminating point on 16 November 1991 with the first mass women demonstration, which demanded the changing of the grave economic situation in the country.

The old dream of Albanian women became a reality on 10 March 1993 with the creation of the Union of Albanian Women, which encompassed women from all ethnic territories and the Diaspora. This Union emerged as a critical necessity, with the view to broaden the range of voices of Albanian women and the quality of the ideas of those visionary women who wished to give the Albanian society a positive orientation.

Today, even though 27 years have passed since then, the range of voices we hear has been narrowing down, comprising only a small part of the population, mainly males, and a very small minority of select women, which means that only a small part of our society voice is being heard. We need to hear the voices of women from all walks of life! We believe that women, individually and collectively, need to speak louder and be listened to, be more visible and become more empowered.

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The Albanian Society for All Ages is committed to the development of a well informed, richer, and more ethical society, empowering people – particularly women of all ages – to vent out their opinions in the major debates of our time. Ermira Pirdeni, ASAG Executive Director was celebrated as one of the human rights champion by the United Nations in the frame of their campaign on 1st October, International Day of Older Persons.