Gender equality has been the focus of national and international women's movements. Advocates frequently have the best grasp of the problems that women and girls experience in their own nations and communities, as well as critical expertise of how to promote their rights. They gain leadership skills by demanding responsibility and change, and some of them use these skills to enter and influence political spheres.
Women participated in the 2011 municipal elections by stating they would not cast a ballot until candidates committed to address their issues in light of the tangible evidence they had at hand. They met each mayoral candidate in Shkodra one-on-one, and the victor was required to sign the Agreement of Women. It will direct future municipal council plans and decisions based on major scorecard findings, including vows to strengthen services for survivors of domestic abuse and expand opportunities for women in the workforce, among other things. After the findings were released to the media in Elbasan, political parties responded right away, and their electoral programs eventually reflected the desires of women. The newly elected mayor also agreed to use municipal planning to address scorecard findings.