The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) held its second regular meeting with its members on September 16, 2024, in Pristina, focusing on solidarity and strengthening women’s voice in society. 

In her speech, Executive Director Igballe Rogova stressed the importance of continuous cooperation among women in addressing the numerous challenges faced by Kosovo, the region, and beyond. She highlighted not only local difficulties but also international issues, referencing the situations in Palestine and Ukraine as examples that illustrate the necessity for global solidarity among women. 

“It is crucial that we stand together; united, we are stronger! The world is currently grappling with the struggle for gender equality, and we are facing a fight against gender equality. Even in Kosovo, the first steps have been taken, but we can only make progress if we unite and support one another. This is the only way to maintain the spirit of activism,” said Executive Director Igballe Rogova, among other remarks. 

She emphasized that solidarity has been the core strength of KWN since its establishment in 2000, recalling that the Network was founded in the spirit of cooperation that began in the 1990s. 

However, given that many organizations register with KWN solely for grants rather than for networking, we have decided to take a break from the Kosovo Women’s Fund. Rogova discussed the importance of all members participating in the meetings, highlighting that the focus is always on networking and the shared significance of involvement in decision-making processes. 

According to the Membership Assembly regulations, member organizations will be expelled if they miss three consecutive regular meetings, specifically the Annual Membership Assembly, which is held in the spring of each year. Therefore, member attendance is essential to ensure the necessary quorum for voting on important matters. 

During the meeting, several members of the Network expressed their gratitude to KWN for the ongoing support and assistance provided through grants and various projects. They acknowledged the Network’s role in empowering women and the opportunities it creates for their professional and organizational development. 

Additionally, the members shared information about their activities, including the FemArt Festival, organized by Artpolis (September 25-30) and the Art Without Limits International Film Festival (December 1-3 at Kino Armata). 

Rogova concluded the meeting by emphasizing that various challenges, ranging from climate change to political tensions, should not undermine women’s commitment to justice and equality. She stated that only through cooperation and mutual support can women make progress and create a lasting impact on society. 

On September 11, the KWN Board, elected by KWN members, held its second meeting of the year. During this meeting, the narrative and financial reports for the first six months were approved. Additionally, the need for a response to the European Union’s measures against Kosovo and their impact on women’s lives was emphasized. It was proposed to prepare a more impactful public letter than the previous one, to be signed by civil society. KWN has also initiated a brief research study to assess the effects of these measures on civil society and women.