On August 22, Rikotta Organization and the Women’s Center ‘ATO’, both member organizations of the Kosovo Women‘s Network (KWN), held their first meeting since the start of the pandemic. Thirty Bosnian and Gorani women from Prevalla and surrounding villages, such as Mushnikova, Gornosella, Recani, Grnqare and Lubinje, participated in this meeting.

It was held in the framework of the initiative “Economic empowerment and capacity building of women in Prevalla and surrounding villages” with the support of Kosovo Women Fund (KWF) and financed by Austrian Development Agency (ADA).

During the meeting, participants were informed about the possibilities of involvement in the NGOs work and were trained on various topics such as the definition of advocacy and how to successfully of advocate to relevant institutions.

The meeting was held in Prevalla, by Fikrije Ferizi, who believes that such initiatives are imperative for this region.

“While a large number of the population suffers from unemployment and a lack of professional development, women, especially those living in rural areas, are most affected by these factors.” said Ferizi.

“Apart from living in difficult conditions, the women of this region also experience isolation and marginalization from their families and society overall,” added the project coordinator and Director of the Rikotta Organization, Pranvera Hajzeri-Bullaku.

In addition to the beneficiaries of the project,  officials from the Employment Office in the Municipality of Prizren and a representative of the Directorate of Economy, Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development were also present and announced opportunities for employment for these women in their projects.