Therefore, the member organization of Kosovo Women’s Network, Moravski Biser, is striving to raise women’s awareness of their right to access health services in their homes or in the nearest cities through training sessions.

On Friday, September 1, this organization convened a meeting with 12 women from the Serb community to address these issues in the framework of their initiative “Equal health care for all”, supported by KWN.

Many women from the municipality of Partes do not have the right information about access to health services in public institutions.

Therefore, the member organization of Kosovo Women’s Network, Moravski Biser, is striving to raise women’s awareness of their right to access health services in their homes or in the nearest cities through training sessions.

Dragana Petrović, the deputy director of the Moravski Biser organization, stated that 15 women who are members of this organization, along with other volunteers, consistently organize meetings to provide further information about obtaining health services and how to address potential violations of their rights.

“As for participation, it is equally important because it allows us to engage with new topics, contributing to the education and empowerment of women. New knowledge is always a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, very few women are aware of their rights regarding health access, particularly due to the existence of two healthcare systems in our country, which often leaves them disoriented. In the Municipality of Partesh, there is no primary healthcare system, making it challenging for women to determine the exact location to seek medical care,” she explained.

According to Moravski Biser, many women in the municipality of Partesh have rarely visited a gynecologist. However, after being informed that regular visits to a gynecologist should occur every six months, they began doing so.

Sevdije Musliu emphasized the crucial need for such training because Serb women are often unaware of healthcare laws. In her role as a trainer, she educates them about their rights within the healthcare system. Initially, when she started as a coach, these women lacked essential information. Over time, they have become more knowledgeable about their legal rights. “Now, Serb women visit the hospital in Gjilan, and the information they receive during these training sessions also guides them on where to report if their rights are violated,” she explained.

These training sessions have made a significant difference in Verica’s life. She mentioned that before becoming a member of this organization, she used to rely on private healthcare services. However, now she prefers the public healthcare system and knows exactly where to seek medical assistance. Verica has learned from the training that regular check-ups are essential. Additionally, she mentioned that she underwent a mammogram through a mobile mammogram service, which has been highly beneficial for her.

Moravski Biser carried out this activity as a beneficiary of the grant from the 18th Round of the Kosovo Women’s Fund, through the initiative of the KWN “Further Advancing Women’s Rights in Kosovo II,” which is financed the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), with co-financing from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).