On 25 November, within the 16 Days of Activism against Gender based Violence, the Policy against Sexual Harassment in Public Administration was signed by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Avdullah Hoti.  Kosovar Gender Studies Center (KGSC), in cooperation with the Office for Good Governance (OGG), with the purpose of implementing the Law no. 05 / L-021 on Protection from Discrimination and Law no. 05 / L-020 on Gender Equality, has prepared the Policy against Sexual Harassment in Public Administration in Kosovo.

The aim of the Policy against Sexual Harassment in Public Administration in Kosovo is to serve as an instrument and strategic orientation in creating a workplace environment where every form of sexual harassment is prevented and sanctioned.

The Policy, the first of this nature, was welcomed by feminists, WCSOs, Institutions, and International organizations working in Kosovo, and was considered as a big step in furthering women’s rights in the workplace. 

“The policy contributes fundamentally to the protection of and promotion of gender equality as a fundamental value of the democratic development of the society and the Republic of Kosovo, with the aim of preventing any form of action that leads to violation of the personal dignity of each employee in public administration. This is a necessity in the implementation of the directives of the European Union that require from our institutions the fulfillment of these criteria in the process of European integration.” said Luljeta Demolli, Executive Director in KGSC

“This policy protects gender equality as a fundamental value of the democratic development of Kosovo society (…) and the Government remains committed to implementing active policies in the field of human rights, protection against discrimination and creating equal opportunities for all citizens in the Republic of Kosovo” Prime Minister Hoti stated.

Also, the Head of Office for Good Governance, Mr. Habit Hajredini added that they are “committed to implement and monitor this Policy and to protect employees from discrimination”. 

This Policy was initiated by KGSC in cooperation with OGG in 2008 with financial support of USAID. However, throughout the years KGSC continued working in updating the Policy in accordance to the applicable law and continued its advocacy with every establishment to push it in the Governmental agenda.

This story is part of Preventing Discrimination of all forms in the Workplace action, supported by the Kosovo Women’s Network and their partners through the Action “Furthering Women’s Labour Rights”. This Action is financed by the European Union and co-funded by Swedish International Development Cooperation (Sida). The content of this story is solely the responsibility of Kosovar Gender Studies Center and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or Sida.