Kosovo Woman Breaks Prejudices by Taking Village Leader Role

Xhyla Hoti Korpuzi, has been engaged in various activities for 37 years through which she reveals her contribution and representation in society.

She recalls her first community engagement back in 1980s as head of Youth League at her birth village of Ribar i Madh, then leader of students at Prishtina University dormitory but her first important role comes after the war when in 2002 she was elected member of Lipjan/Lipljan Municipal Assembly.

As Hoti Korpuzi vividly remembers the moment when she was chosen the head of the village, she describes that happiness was one of the main emotions of that day, however, she claims that she was also surprised by this result.

"I expected the election as the village leader extremely well when I knew that all my students and even the oldest parents unanimously supported me," Xhyle told BIRN.

"It was quite a surprise for me since there were around 50 candidates for the post and in the end running alone was an important task for which I will try my best to give my contribution," she added.

On the other hand, Izet Shala, director of the "Ibrahim Banushi" primary school in Shale/Sedlare, expresses his happiness that the first female mayor in this village is a teacher in the educational institution he heads. 

"For me it's a good feeling because her hard work has shown its results and has made the worker of our school a mayor of Shale village. I'm positive that teacher Xhyle will succeed in the tasks she has in front of her," he says.

 "Working in a village with 600 houses and 2500 inhabitants is not an easy task, but teacher Xhyle has the potential to succeed," he added. 

Trimor Shamolli was among the villagers who participated in the election of the village mayor in this mandate...