Shukrije Gashi, Executive Director of Partners Kosova Center for Conflict Management (Partners K) concludes the list of activists that the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) has brought to readers this year.

Shukrije Gashi [or Shuki as her friends warmly call her] started her activism in difficult political circumstances, when Kosovo was not yet an independent state and human rights were subject to violation, whilst lately, during the 19th Annual Membership Meeting of KWN, she was honoured with the “Sevdije Ahmeti” Award, an award that KWN has been awarding for four years now in honour of the late activist Sevdije Ahmeti (1944-2016).

In this article, she talks about her activism, the cooperation she has had over the years with KWN, and the feminist movement over the decades.

Beginnings of Gashi’s Activism and her Challenges

At the beginning of our conversation, by describing the early period of activism, she reminds us that she grew up in a family known for its national activities and a will for gender equality.

“I have been known as a rebel since the elementary school benches, by writing essays against the regime of the time. The teacher of Albanian language, Ms. Gjylije Ibrani, on the occasion of handling my essay wherein instead of writing about the liberation day of Yugoslavia, I chose to write about the National Flag Day, and the way how Albanian women and girls were proudly celebrating it on the streets of Pristina. Since Ms. Ibrani was a great patriot, she did not report me to the Director; instead at the end of the class she kept me in classroom and proposed that I bring my father to have a talk with her. In my presence, they talked about the need for me not to take such actions so as not to harm either the teacher or the family.”

Gashi further states that at that time the opportunities to act or demonstrate a different opinion were very limited.

As a student at the Faculty of Law, she has been engaged in the Movement for the Republic of Kosovo within the Yugoslav Federation. Even then, Gashi often clashed with her peers and professors on the women’s rights.

“On April 26, 1983, I was imprisoned and sentenced to two years of imprisonment. Even while I was in prison, I never neglected my efforts for gender equality. On the contrary, I have strongly advocated that we girls and women prisoners should not waste our time, but prepare to make efforts to achieve the gender equality within the struggle for national equality, by becoming part of the Movements of the time.”, she recalls this event dating four decades ago.

She recalls a moment that she will never forget during the time in prison.

“When I was imprisoned, I wore a military shirt, in which I painted the portrait of singer Janis Joplin, an American rock star, performer and songwriter of rock and blues songs. She has been the symbol of my ideal. And when I was questioned by UDB (Serbian Secret Service) inspectors, they did not understand, in particular, the sarcasm of the message of her song “Mercedes Benz”? So, my activism has been profound and moulded with cultural and artistic knowledge. In addition to the national knowledge”

Gashi recalls that there are also many other similar situations. However, as shown in this article, Gashi, even after being imprisoned and facing challenges, did not give up, instead she continued decades of work and activism, by always carrying on her shoulders the features of a rebellious feminist.

Gender Equality Then and Today

Compared to today, she recalls, the movement for gender equality as a need, feeling and encouragement was much stronger then.

“There were women and girls as well as boys and men who supported the movement by finding forms such as the involvement of girls and women in the national movements of that time. I can freely say that the boys of that time “the comrades of the illegal movement” have been very careful and considerably involved in advocating for our engagement in the Movement, especially for creating equal space for women and girls in society.”

She assesses that unfortunately today, even though the circumstances and laws have changed and are in favour of the realization of women’s rights, “the approach is sometimes nuanced and retrograde and disadvantages women, which is reflected with severe gender-based violence and murder.”

The Value of Cooperation with KWN

During her journey for women’s rights, Gashi has collaborated with KWN for a long time and she has also been a member of the Board for a term. Today she highly appreciates the role of KWN and its members over the years in advancing for women’s rights.

“I have worked with KWN for a long time, since the establishment of the Network, because I have closely known the work and leadership, in particular Igo [Igballe Rogova, Executive Director of KWN]. I have also known many hardworking women and men over the years, including Ms. Sevdije Ahmeti and her work since 1987.

Later, she also got to know from close Sevdije Ahmeti’s collaborator, Vjosa Dobruna, who has together with Ahmeti made an extraordinary contribution to gender equality.

“There are also many other women, such as Aferdita Saraqini, Velentina Saraqini, Edita Tahiri, Hamide Latifi and many other women. Then, there are also other younger women of the 90s- Eli Krasniqi and Eli Gashi, and others.”

While speaking about the contribution of activists, Gashi says:

“I knew Igballe Rogova, together with the theatre actress, Safete Rogova and teacher Marta Prekpalaj, even before the last war in Kosovo; I know about the work which they have done for women and their education in Zymë i Hasit and the Hasjani population through the “Motrat Qiriazi” Association. She further highly appreciates the activism of Nicole Fransworth, KWN Program Director, Lead Researcher.

In this period, together with Mrs. Naxhije Buçinca, a long-time activist of the LDK Women’s Forum, Ms. Xheraldina Vula, an activist and co-founder of TV21, Ms. Sevdije Ahmeti, Ms. Safete Rugova and other women she has established the “Association of Creative Women of Kosovo.”

She believes that KWN’s role has been to build a safe environment for interaction through mutual communication and active listening.

“KWN had a platform where women and girls could speak out about their needs and interests for gender equality and inclusion. Where women and girls could be equipped with the knowledge and skills to better articulate their needs, in order to participate in decision-making processes and in public appearances.”

According to Gashi, KWN’s role has been and is still multiple. Below, she lists some of KWN’s contributions.

“Drafting of Laws, strategies and Action Plans for Gender Equality and inclusion in support of local and international legal frameworks. Raising women’s professional skills in line with the actions of distinguished worldwide women leaders for equality. Equipping women and girls with business skills to become equal in a competitive and quality market, through the allocation of grants and the provision of trainings to member organizations, but also to civil society organizations in general.”

She recalls that there has been progress but sometimes also decline, due to political developments, given that Kosovo has been under the management of the UN and its agencies, which according to her, have not always had a constructive approach due to the prejudicial status of Kosovo in Resolution 1244.

“Nevertheless, KWN, by acting and involving hardworking women around it, and time to time men as well, has managed, despite the difficulties, to support the empowerment of women in various fields. KWN is distinguished also for its “in shadow” advocacy role for Kosovo and its internationalization, namely the role of supporting Peaceful movements for human and gender equality,” she said.

When recalling the history of the women’s movement, Gashi assesses that major changes could not be imagined or recorded without KWN’s strong participation and support at various times.

“In particular, in the time period after 2004. The protests of the people and women against the four-point document, six-point document of UN Mission, as well as the Movements for changes. Support and internationalization of the Serbian regime’s state violence against women during the war and later as a result of patriarchy. Equipping of Kosovo with an Anti-Discrimination Legal Framework.”

The Significance of the “Sevdije Ahmeti” Award

Finally, during the 19th Annual Membership Meeting, Gashi received the “Sevdije Ahmeti” Award, which she highly appreciates.

“Many thanks to the Membership and KWN, which honoured me with such a special award. Sevdije Ahmeti created an era in the field of equality and gender rights in Kosovo and beyond in the international arena. For decades, she never stopped being a worthy and dignified fighter for national rights and gender equality; because she knew that none of these universal human rights could make or affect substantive changes as separate.”

For her, this award is an additional obligation to never forget that she is a woman and that her first mission is to strongly support women, not only at national but also at international level, whenever it is necessary, and not only by words but also by concrete commitment.

When we talk about the awards appreciating Gashi’s work, we recall that in 2006 she received an award for commitment to gender rights and equality from the John B. Krock Institute – University of San Diego, after having been chosen among the four women of the world selected for the “Woman Peace Makers 2006” Award. For more details see the link KËTU.

“Finally, I thank the Network and the Membership, the Board and all those women working in the Network, and the members and donors for their generosity in supporting KWN and KWN Leadership for pushing forward women’s causes for equality and gender inclusion,” she said.

Gashi closes this interview by wishing a very happy new 2022 year to everyone.

Activist Shukrije Gashi: Despite the Difficulties, KWN Supported Women’s Empowerment in Various Fields

Shukrije Gashi, Executive Director of Partners Kosova Center for Conflict Management (Partners K) concludes the list of activists that the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) has brought to readers this year.

Shukrije Gashi [or Shuki as her friends warmly call her] started her activism in difficult political circumstances, when Kosovo was not yet an independent state and human rights were subject to violation, whilst lately, during the 19th Annual Membership Meeting of KWN, she was honoured with the “Sevdije Ahmeti” Award, an award that KWN has been awarding for four years now in honour of the late activist Sevdije Ahmeti (1944-2016).

In this article, she talks about her activism, the cooperation she has had over the years with KWN, and the feminist movement over the decades.

Beginnings of Gashi’s Activism and her Challenges

At the beginning of our conversation, by describing the early period of activism, she reminds us that she grew up in a family known for its national activities and a will for gender equality.

“I have been known as a rebel since the elementary school benches, by writing essays against the regime of the time. The teacher of Albanian language, Ms. Gjylije Ibrani, on the occasion of handling my essay wherein instead of writing about the liberation day of Yugoslavia, I chose to write about the National Flag Day, and the way how Albanian women and girls were proudly celebrating it on the streets of Pristina. Since Ms. Ibrani was a great patriot, she did not report me to the Director; instead at the end of the class she kept me in classroom and proposed that I bring my father to have a talk with her. In my presence, they talked about the need for me not to take such actions so as not to harm either the teacher or the family.”

Gashi further states that at that time the opportunities to act or demonstrate a different opinion were very limited.

As a student at the Faculty of Law, she has been engaged in the Movement for the Republic of Kosovo within the Yugoslav Federation. Even then, Gashi often clashed with her peers and professors on the women’s rights.

“On April 26, 1983, I was imprisoned and sentenced to two years of imprisonment. Even while I was in prison, I never neglected my efforts for gender equality. On the contrary, I have strongly advocated that we girls and women prisoners should not waste our time, but prepare to make efforts to achieve the gender equality within the struggle for national equality, by becoming part of the Movements of the time.”, she recalls this event dating four decades ago.

She recalls a moment that she will never forget during the time in prison.

“When I was imprisoned, I wore a military shirt, in which I painted the portrait of singer Janis Joplin, an American rock star, performer and songwriter of rock and blues songs. She has been the symbol of my ideal. And when I was questioned by UDB (Serbian Secret Service) inspectors, they did not understand, in particular, the sarcasm of the message of her song “Mercedes Benz”? So, my activism has been profound and moulded with cultural and artistic knowledge. In addition to the national knowledge”

Gashi recalls that there are also many other similar situations. However, as shown in this article, Gashi, even after being imprisoned and facing challenges, did not give up, instead she continued decades of work and activism, by always carrying on her shoulders the features of a rebellious feminist.

Gender Equality Then and Today

Compared to today, she recalls, the movement for gender equality as a need, feeling and encouragement was much stronger then.

“There were women and girls as well as boys and men who supported the movement by finding forms such as the involvement of girls and women in the national movements of that time. I can freely say that the boys of that time “the comrades of the illegal movement” have been very careful and considerably involved in advocating for our engagement in the Movement, especially for creating equal space for women and girls in society.”

She assesses that unfortunately today, even though the circumstances and laws have changed and are in favour of the realization of women’s rights, “the approach is sometimes nuanced and retrograde and disadvantages women, which is reflected with severe gender-based violence and murder.”

The Value of Cooperation with KWN

During her journey for women’s rights, Gashi has collaborated with KWN for a long time and she has also been a member of the Board for a term. Today she highly appreciates the role of KWN and its members over the years in advancing for women’s rights.

“I have worked with KWN for a long time, since the establishment of the Network, because I have closely known the work and leadership, in particular Igo [Igballe Rogova, Executive Director of KWN]. I have also known many hardworking women and men over the years, including Ms. Sevdije Ahmeti and her work since 1987.

Later, she also got to know from close Sevdije Ahmeti’s collaborator, Vjosa Dobruna, who has together with Ahmeti made an extraordinary contribution to gender equality.

“There are also many other women, such as Aferdita Saraqini, Velentina Saraqini, Edita Tahiri, Hamide Latifi and many other women. Then, there are also other younger women of the 90s- Eli Krasniqi and Eli Gashi, and others.”

While speaking about the contribution of activists, Gashi says:

“I knew Igballe Rogova, together with the theatre actress, Safete Rogova and teacher Marta Prekpalaj, even before the last war in Kosovo; I know about the work which they have done for women and their education in Zymë i Hasit and the Hasjani population through the “Motrat Qiriazi” Association. She further highly appreciates the activism of Nicole Fransworth, KWN Program Director, Lead Researcher.

In this period, together with Mrs. Naxhije Buçinca, a long-time activist of the LDK Women’s Forum, Ms. Xheraldina Vula, an activist and co-founder of TV21, Ms. Sevdije Ahmeti, Ms. Safete Rugova and other women she has established the “Association of Creative Women of Kosovo.”

She believes that KWN’s role has been to build a safe environment for interaction through mutual communication and active listening.

“KWN had a platform where women and girls could speak out about their needs and interests for gender equality and inclusion. Where women and girls could be equipped with the knowledge and skills to better articulate their needs, in order to participate in decision-making processes and in public appearances.”

According to Gashi, KWN’s role has been and is still multiple. Below, she lists some of KWN’s contributions.

“Drafting of Laws, strategies and Action Plans for Gender Equality and inclusion in support of local and international legal frameworks. Raising women’s professional skills in line with the actions of distinguished worldwide women leaders for equality. Equipping women and girls with business skills to become equal in a competitive and quality market, through the allocation of grants and the provision of trainings to member organizations, but also to civil society organizations in general.”

She recalls that there has been progress but sometimes also decline, due to political developments, given that Kosovo has been under the management of the UN and its agencies, which according to her, have not always had a constructive approach due to the prejudicial status of Kosovo in Resolution 1244.

“Nevertheless, KWN, by acting and involving hardworking women around it, and time to time men as well, has managed, despite the difficulties, to support the empowerment of women in various fields. KWN is distinguished also for its “in shadow” advocacy role for Kosovo and its internationalization, namely the role of supporting Peaceful movements for human and gender equality,” she said.

When recalling the history of the women’s movement, Gashi assesses that major changes could not be imagined or recorded without KWN’s strong participation and support at various times.

“In particular, in the time period after 2004. The protests of the people and women against the four-point document, six-point document of UN Mission, as well as the Movements for changes. Support and internationalization of the Serbian regime’s state violence against women during the war and later as a result of patriarchy. Equipping of Kosovo with an Anti-Discrimination Legal Framework.”

The Significance of the “Sevdije Ahmeti” Award

Finally, during the 19th Annual Membership Meeting, Gashi received the “Sevdije Ahmeti” Award, which she highly appreciates.

“Many thanks to the Membership and KWN, which honoured me with such a special award. Sevdije Ahmeti created an era in the field of equality and gender rights in Kosovo and beyond in the international arena. For decades, she never stopped being a worthy and dignified fighter for national rights and gender equality; because she knew that none of these universal human rights could make or affect substantive changes as separate.”

For her, this award is an additional obligation to never forget that she is a woman and that her first mission is to strongly support women, not only at national but also at international level, whenever it is necessary, and not only by words but also by concrete commitment.

When we talk about the awards appreciating Gashi’s work, we recall that in 2006 she received an award for commitment to gender rights and equality from the Institute for Peace & Justice Joan B. Kroc – University of San Diego, after having been chosen among the four women of the world selected for the “Woman Peace Makers 2006” Award. For more details see the link KËTU.

“Finally, I thank the Network and the Membership, the Board and all those women working in the Network, and the members and donors for their generosity in supporting KWN and KWN Leadership for pushing forward women’s causes for equality and gender inclusion,” she said.

Gashi closes this interview by wishing a very happy new 2022 year to everyone.