During October, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) carried out a series of important activities aimed at strengthening institutions, increasing awareness, and improving responses to gender-based violence in Kosovo.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, the Department for Social and Family Policy, and the Professional Council for Social and Family Policy, KWN organised two rounds of two-day trainings on the curriculum “Working with Victims of Domestic Violence: Treatment and Referral” in the Prizren region. The trainings brought together social service professionals to share experiences, deepen legal knowledge and strengthen a victim-centred approach.

On 14 October, QIKA launched the newspaper “No Means No – Also Online,” which presents findings from research on sexual harassment and online violence against women and girls in Kosovo. Among the panelists was Adelina Berisha, Programme Director for Addressing Gender-Based Violence, who shared experiences and advocacy efforts that KWN has undertaken to tackle online violence.

Furthermore, KWN continued monitoring cases of gender-based violence in courts, as well as providing support and counselling for victims of gender-based violence.

In addition to these efforts, KWN participated in the President of Kosovo’s conference “Women, Peace and Security: Addressing New Threats through Regional Cooperation.”

As part of the “Door to Door” campaign, in collaboration with RROGRAEK, ZEC, and OPDMK, KWN contributed to organising informational meetings with citizens from the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, the Serbian community, and people with disabilities, distributing educational materials and raising awareness about various forms of gender-based violence.

Through its partnership with Artpolis, KWN also supported the premiere of the forum theatre play “Behind the Screen,” held at the “Xhevdet Doda” school in Prishtina and at Cinema “Jusuf Gërvalla” in Peja.

Through these initiatives, KWN continues to play a key role in institutional empowerment, victim protection and building an equal and safe society for all.

All these activities were supported by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), with the support of the Austrian Development Cooperation and the East-West Management Institute (EWMI).