Is the family foundation under attack in Albania?

In recent years, Albania has witnessed growing debate over the role and meaning of the family. For many Albanians, the family — built on the union between a man and a woman and grounded in shared moral and cultural values — has always been at the heart of national identity. Yet today, several civil society organizations and international programs are promoting a broader understanding of what a “family” can be.

Groups working in the fields of gender equality and social inclusion, such as the Gender Alliance for Development Centre (GADC) and international bodies like the UNFPA, encourage redefining traditional gender roles and recognizing diverse family models. These initiatives often include ideas about multi-gender identity and family structures not limited to the traditional framework.

Supporters see this as progress toward equality and individual freedom. However, critics argue that these changes risk weakening one of Albania’s strongest social pillars. They warn that by distancing society from its cultural and moral roots, the country could lose the sense of stability, mutual responsibility, and intergenerational connection that the traditional family provides.

For many Albanians, the concern is not about rejecting diversity, but about preserving the values that have kept communities strong through difficult times. The debate is ultimately about identity — how Albania can adapt to modern ideas while safeguarding the foundation that has long held its society together.