Erkenda Kabashi from Skenderaj has just begun her journey as the Kosovo Women’s Network’s new “Cathy Frischmann” intern. After only one week in the office, she is already discovering how laws and policies can shape gender equality in practice.

Erkenda studies at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), where she is pursuing studies in management and entrepreneurship as well as public policy and governance. Alongside her studies, Erkenda also works as a math tutor at RIT. With a natural talent for mathematics, she enjoys helping fellow students break down difficult concepts, build their confidence and improve their grades.

With public policy and governance as one of her majors, Erkenda had already developed an interest in gender mainstreaming and was curious to see how it is applied in practice. This, combined with a growing personal awareness of the everyday inequalities that women continue to face, led her to apply for the Cathy Frischmann internship.

“Through my studies and experiences, I became increasingly aware of the everyday inequalities women face and the important role NGOs play in driving real change”, she says. This understanding motivated her to contribute to meaningful work where impact is visible and tangible. Erkenda says her decision to join KWN comes from a strong sense of purpose. “I want to make sure that policies are not only well-written, but truly inclusive and impactful for all”, she explains.

Reflecting on her first days in the office, Erkenda says she was struck by the scale of the work and the influence of KWN. “It’s really amazing how much impact we have as a non-governmental organisation”, she says.

So far, much of Erkenda’s work has focused on law monitoring. She has been reviewing laws that KWN previously commented on, analysing how much of the organisation’s input was ultimately incorporated into the final legislation. The task has quickly changed the way she approaches reading laws and policies.

“When I first started reading the laws, they looked alright, but when I saw the comments from KWN, I realized that it’s not as equal as it should be”, she says. “This is really something I’ve learned from this internship so far”.

Through this work, she has begun to see how even the smallest details in legal language can influence how inclusive a policy truly is. KWN’s legal commentaries, she explains, often highlight issues that many people would overlook. “Even though they’re small details, they make a huge difference”.

Erkenda finds it encouraging that, most of the time, at least some of KWN’s recommendations are reflected in the final laws, though she believes more could still be done. “You spend so much time working on laws to make them as inclusive and equal as possible for everyone, so more of that work should be reflected in the final laws”.

In the coming months, Erkenda will also become involved in other research efforts, including by participating in interviews and focus groups. One of the key things she has learned so far, she says, is the importance of speaking up. She has also been struck by the working culture within KWN. “I think the level of communication and cooperation is unique in this organisation”, she says.

While maintaining a busy schedule with studies, tutoring work, and now also an internship, Erkenda still finds time to relax. She spends her free time watching Turkish series and reading novels.

Looking ahead, Erkenda believes the experience at KWN will benefit both her future career and her academic journey. Working directly with policies and legislation has already improved her analytical skills and helped her better understand the subjects she studies.

“When I chose public policy and governance, I kind of got an idea of what I was going to study, but when you get to do it in person, you get much more of a hands-on experience”, she says.

For anyone considering an internship at KWN, Erkenda has simple advice: “I would encourage everyone to go for it. In the beginning, I was really overwhelmed with a lot of information, but with time you take it step-by-step. You also have great colleagues that are there for you if you need help”.

Erkenda’s involvement at KWN was made possible by the Cathy Frischmann Internship for Young Women’s Rights Activists, supported by Altrusa. 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 also like to contribute to KWN’s work, we always need and welcome volunteers from diverse backgrounds, experience levels and locations. Click here to learn more about our Volunteer Program.