Woman Speaker of the Kosovo Assembly Vjosa Osmani met with representatives of Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) on 14 February to discuss KWN’s achievements and challenges, the protection of women’s rights in Kosovo, and the necessity for establishing a separate and permanent budget line for shelters of domestic violence victims in Kosovo.  

Osmani expressed high appreciation KWN’s commitment to protecting the rights of women and girls. She further emphasised the institutional need to establish state mechanisms for the effective protection of the rights and freedoms of people suffering from domestic violence in Kosovo.  

“Kosovo’s newly formed institutions will increase their care and attention toward different social categories, especially for domestic violence victims”, Osmani said.  

Being happy with the fact that for the first time ever we have a woman in this position, KWN remains hopeful that many of the issues for which KWN has advocated for decades will be pushed forward.  

KWN presented the following advocacy points to Osmani: 

• Bring back into discussion the draft law on Labour and draft law on Maternity and Paternity Leave; and,  

• The budget line dedicated to shelters and day care centres to remain within the budget permanently. 

Responding to these requests, Osmani promised to support KWN in its aim to establish a separate budget line for shelters. Of particular importance was the need to bring back into discussion the draft law on Labour and draft law on Maternity and Paternity Leave.  

KWN offered to share its expertise and cooperation needed to improve women’s rights in Kosovo.