On April 14, Igballe Rogova, the Executive Director of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), Ariana Qosaj-Mustata, KWN Board Chair, and Adelina Berisha, Program Manager on Gender-Based Violence, KWN met with Albulena Haxhiu, The Minister of Justice, and her advisor, Nazlie Balaj.
During this meeting they discussed joint activities between the two organisations towards achieving gender equality.
KWN representatives informed Haxhiu that KWN has completed a research report on gender-based violence in Kosovo, which assessed the achievements and shortcomings towards the implementation of the National Strategy against Domestic Violence and the Action Plan 2016-2020.
From this research, KWN has noted that there are several priority objectives to combat gender-based violence, for which the contribution of the Ministry of Justice will be essential:
• To begin amending the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence, which should be harmonized with the Istanbul Convention, which is already applicable in Kosovo. The amended law should include all forms of gender-based violence, as required by the Istanbul Convention.
• To begin drafting the National Strategy and Action Plan against Domestic Violence 2021-2025, which should comprehensively address all forms of gender-based violence.
• To discuss how the position of National Coordinator can be better strengthened and institutionalized.
Appreciating KWN’s contribution to preventing and combating violence against women, Minister Haxhiu pledged institutional commitment and strengthening the mechanisms against domestic violence and gender-based violence.
Haxhiu further announced that the Government of the Republic of Kosovo has already made this topic a priority. She told KWN representatives that under the new government, justice institutions will be committed to addressing issues related to domestic violence and gender based violence.
Minister Haxhiu also emphasized that in all these processes, KWN’s contribution and expertise will always be welcome.
Read HERE about the previous meeting with Haxhiu.
