What happens when a passionate psychology student meets a powerhouse women’s rights organisation? Women’s needs and voices are amplified in Kosovo and beyond! 

Dhurata Alilaj was recently selected as the next recipient of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) Cathy Frischmann Internship for Young Women’s Rights Activists. 

An enthusiastic young woman from the city of Ferizaj, she was thrilled to start her new journey as a researcher at KWN this February.   

As a psychology student, she always wanted to understand people with whom she did not agree. She believes this skill will help her better navigate feminist approaches, which include connecting with more, diverse people and creating space for everyone’s voice to be heard.  

At KWN, she will have plenty of space to practice, as she engages directly in KWN’s ongoing research to better understand various perspectives in Kosovo and beyond, towards furthering peace and security for diverse women and men. This includes looking at different people’s understanding of peace: the feeling of peace that comes with having a secure job; the peacefulness of being healthy; of moving peacefully across sidewalks in wheelchairs or with baby strollers; the peace to walk home without fear of harassment; and the peace to live at home without physical or emotional violence. 
 
“The research on which I am working has been very insightful as to the contributions of different women in Kosovo to peace-building, and the factors that hinder women’s ability to engage and contribute,” Dhurata said. “This leads to even more will [for me] to work and publish papers on how to address their problems and allow even more number girls and women across Kosovo to take part” in furthering peace, she added. 

 
Dhurata is excited to work at KWN because of the organisation’s mission and high ethical standards, carefully considered as part of KWN’s ongoing research. She also values the power of voice that KWN gives to diverse women and girls who are often not heard. This, she says, has had a significant impact, especially in recent years.  

“KWN has contributed through its advocacy for women’s participation in peace and security and  its never ending and ongoing efforts to acknowledge the women who already have been a huge part peace-building in Kosovo, spreading this information to the public to inspire even more women to believe that they can and should be part of the movement and that they have the power to make a difference.” She said that KWN has contributed “with reports, protests and other initiatives that support women and girls in Kosovo, [as well as] with very specific numbers and facts.” 

KWN is also excited to welcome Dhurata to our team. Amid recent substantial and unforeseen cuts to KWN’s funding, Dhurata through the Cathy Frischmann Internship, has become a vital member of KWN’s research team.   

Dhurata has a fiery spirit, illustrating her personal commitment to making positive change happen. Her contribution goes beyond resisting injustice towards peace; she also contributes to positive changes through her other engagements, such as serving as an assistant coach at the “Lubeteni” karate club in Ferizaj, where she works with children. In her free time, she enjoys reading. In stressful or busy times, she likes to paint, expressing her frustration through art.  
 

Dhurata’s involvement at KWN was made possible by the Cathy Frischmann Internship for Young Women’s Rights Activists. Cathy Frischmann (1952-2023) was an activist for women’s rights, a feminist, a human rights defender, a mobiliser for the involvement of women in politics, a botanist who protected native plants, and much more… Cathy loved life, which is why she dedicated hers to defending the rights and lives of others. She worked tirelessly to make the world a better place. Cathy’s love for Kosovo began in 2004 when she met KWN member organisations. Inspired by KWN members’ work, she collaborated with Altrusa – Corvallis Branch to raise funds for an annual scholarship to support young women activists’ engagement at KWN. Although Cathy passed away from cancer in 2023, Altrusa, her friends and family have continued to support an internship in her name. In Cathy’s honour, KWN proudly hosts at least one young woman intern every year, continuing to engage and inspire new generations of women’s rights activists.  

If you would like to empower other young women like Dhurata to gain experience and skills that will facilitate their future employment and strengthen their activism, or if you would like to support KWN’s work in general, please click here for more information.