On 27 November, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (MESPI), organised a training dedicated to the officials of the institution, focused on gender-based violence. The training aimed to provide a deeper understanding of the concept of gender-based violence, starting from its definitions, its forms, and the impact it has on the lives of women and girls. Participants also had the opportunity to discuss how gender stereotypes and social norms contribute to the persistence of this violence.

In the second part of the training, Kosovo’s legal and institutional framework for the prevention of and protection from gender-based violence was presented and analysed. Officials were introduced to the procedures they must follow when identifying a case, the correct ways of referring it, and the mechanisms that enable institutions to respond in a coordinated and effective manner. The discussions also focused on the current institutional challenges and the importance of prompt responses in high-risk situations.

At the end of the training, officials emphasised that being informed and strengthening their capacities on this topic is essential to ensure a responsible and legally compliant response. One female official stated that through this session she had gained a clearer understanding of what gender-based violence entails, as well as the legislation that Kosovo has developed for its prevention and for the protection of victims. She added that the training had helped her better understand her role as an official and her institutional responsibility in addressing these cases.