The member organization of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), EcoKosWomen, has successfully completed the initiative “Promoting Healthcare: A Necessary Part of Life,” thanks to a grant from the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF). Over five months, this organization has effectively increased awareness among Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian women regarding their rights to quality healthcare, reproductive health, and menstrual hygiene management. The initiative also addressed violations of these rights and provided information on how to report such incidents.

The women in the municipality of Fushë Kosova, engaged in EcoKosWomen’s activities, have been empowered with knowledge and provided with a patient’s rights card.

Through research, the project has illuminated the challenges and opportunities involved in enhancing access to healthcare for women in these communities. The findings were presented at a round table attended by participants from various fields, including influential decision-makers. This event has played a pivotal role in bringing attention to the problems and challenges faced by these women in accessing quality healthcare.

The organization has actively discussed and advocated for crucial issues with six representatives from the Municipality of Fushë Kosova. Emphasis was placed on the vital need to improve and facilitate access to quality healthcare. Additionally, there was an advocacy for the establishment of a dedicated budget line in the upcoming years to supply sanitary napkins to lower secondary schools. This initiative aims to benefit not only the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian citizens but also all residents of the Municipality of Fushë Kosova.

According to the organization, 293 girls have directly benefited from their activities, including 179 Albanian, 96 Ashkali, 11 Egyptian, 3 Turkish, and 1 Roma from the elementary school “Selman Riza.” Through the conducted lectures, awareness has been raised about their right to quality health services, reproductive organ health, and the management of menstrual hygiene. Additionally, 38 Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian women are direct beneficiaries as they participated in the activities of EcoKosWomen.

The organization “EcoKosWomen” undertook this initiative as a recipient of the 18th round of the KWN’s Further Advancing Women’s Rights in Kosovo II,” financed by the Austrian Agency for Development (ADA) and co-financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).