Today, we would like to share a short story of the Committee of Blind Women of Kosovo (CBWK) and their initiative “Prevention and Protection from Violence for Blind Women and Girls of Kosovo,” which will be starting this September. 

Considering the daily challenges faced by this community, KGVK has planned a program aimed at easing the lives of blind women and girls, raising awareness among institutions, and improving societal awareness. 

Their initiative will join those of other Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) members towards our shared goal of improving women’s lives and achieving a life free from violence for all women and girls. Their effort will also contribute towards transforming gender norms through education, a KWN strategic aim. 

Planned activities include training on gender-based violence, involving institutions in training on gender-based violence for blind women and girls, and providing direct support to victims of violence. 

According to Bajramshe Jetullahu, CBWK Executive Director, violence against blind women and girls is not only physical. 

“A blind woman who experiences psychological violence is affected even more by her blindness,” she said. 

Through CBWK’s initiative, they also plan to provide free legal aid for blind women and girls. 

Mrs. Bajramshahe Jetullahu emphasised the critical need to educate blind girls and women, to address the lack of necessary resources for their education and readings, and to enhance their awareness of the freedoms and rights to which they are entitled.  

“We have a lawyer who will conduct the training, and we will intervene wherever necessary, such as in cases of domestic violence or any other kind of violence. We will also inform blind women where to report violence and how to leave violent situations,” she said about their initiative. 

Their action will take place in four regions of Kosovo: Pristina, Mitrovica, Gjilan, and Gjakova. It is supported by KWN’s Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) with a grant of €9,996. 

Via KWF, KWN is supporting five of its member organisations with a total of €50,000 from the Sigrid Rausing Trust. We are excited about this initiative and look forward to seeing its impact.