The Socialist Party has withdrawn from the initial proposal to include the third gender in the draft law on Gender Equality, after strong public debates and pressure from various social groups.
In the package of 22 amendments recently submitted to the Assembly, the Socialists have defined only two gender categories – man and woman – excluding any reference to a third gender or alternative forms of gender identity.
This change comes after numerous reactions in public opinion and after opposition expressed by segments of civil society, conservative groups and the general public, who requested a review of previous proposals.
The amendments will now be subject to review by the relevant parliamentary committees and will then be put to a vote in plenary.
This development is expected to bring new discussions on the balance between individual rights and traditional values in Albanian legislation.
