The Regional Center of Excellence for Women, Peace and Security in Kosovo, established within the Office of the President of Kosovo, held a workshop on January 28 titled “Building on Progress: Advancing Kosovo’s Leadership in the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.” 

The workshop focused on the importance of National Action Plans (NAPs) as a key tool for promoting gender equality, strengthening peace and ensuring inclusive security. Mirsad Jacevic, an international expert, shared experiences and lessons learned from countries that have implemented NAPs, highlighting both successes and challenges. 

He praised Kosovo for being a global leader in implementing the WPS Agenda, emphasizing the key role of civil society in pushing this Agenda forward. He explicitly highlighted the role of KWN Executive Director Igballe Rogova, among other Kosovar activists like KWN Board member Vjosa Dobruna, whose advocacy in the ‘90s led to the initial adoption of Resolution 1325 and continued advocacy that has contributed to substantial progress towards its implementation.  

He acknowledged for example the work of Kosovo Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims, nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, and Medica Kosova, among others, for their work with survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. He emphasized the crucial role of civil society in continuing to support implementation of the WPS Agenda and the need for more government ownership and financing in implementing the Agenda in Kosovo. 

Jacevic emphasized that collaboration is key to advancing the WPS Agenda. 

Participants also discussed UN Security Council Resolution 2242, which states that every country should have a dedicated National Action Plan for Women, Peace and Security, along with a clear budget for its implementation and clear indicators to measure progress.  

The Government of Kosovo plans to include a specific action plan for the WPS Agenda in its upcoming Kosovo Program for Gender Equality, aligning it with international standards and best practices. 

The Kosovo Women’s Network strongly supports the work of the Regional Center of Excellence and will continue to assist the Agency for Gender Equality and the government through active engagement in the Working Group for the Kosovo Program for Gender Equality, drawing from over 30 years of experience in the field.