Gender-based violence continues to be one of the biggest problems faced by women and girls in Kosovo. A recent report by the Kosovo Police shows that, compared to decreases in many other criminal offenses, there was an increase in the reporting of domestic violence in the past year. This once again underscores the importance of addressing gender-based violence by the government and the entire Kosovar society. 

To promote initiatives to address gender-based violence, the Kosovo Women’s Network is implementing several activities this year aimed at improving services for victims of GBV, building the capacities of institutional representatives with a focus on social services, providing legal counseling for victims of GBV, monitoring cases in courts, etc. Thus, supported by the Austrian Development Agency, KWN is implementing a 3-year project, together with NGOs from the region as follows: Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo. 

More specifically, through the project “Institutionalization of Quality Rehabilitation and Reintegration Services for Survivors of Violence II”, the following will be done: 

• Building the capacities of institutions to address gender-based violence, including training with the public sector to increase employment opportunities for survivors of violence; 

• Providing direct services to victims by counseling and representing them legally; 

• Training for shelter staff with a focus on addressing burnout, trauma, and other emotional burdens that result from working with victims of GBV; 

• Conducting research to assess the needs of the aforementioned states for financial support for service providers; 

• Conducting awareness campaigns and inter-regional networking and cooperation. 

KWN remains committed to combating gender-based violence, as envisioned in KWN’s strategic program for women and girls in Kosovo to live a life free from gender-based violence.