KRCT and Medica Gjakova Launch

02.07.2018

On June 19, on the International Day for the elimination of sexual violence in conflict, the Kosova Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims (KRCT) and Medica Gjakova launched in Prishtina “Be My Voice”, a campaign addressing the stigma for survivors of sexual violence during the war in Kosovo.
     Considering the fact that survivors of sexual violence committed during the war still face significant challenges and prejudices within society, this campaign aims to raise awareness on sexual violence, fighting stigma and prejudices, and inform on application procedures for recognition of the status of sexual violence victims during the war in Kosovo.
    The campaign also included publishing supportive video messages from the Ambassadors of international offices in Kosovo as well as women’s rights activists in Kosovo.
Feride Rushiti, Director of KRCT, in the campaign support message addressed the citizens stating that "It’s time and moment to say No to silence".Igballe Rogova, Kosovo Women’s Network Executive Director, in her support message for this campaign said "Do not be silent, do not hesitate. Raise your voice and claim your right. "
     Even the world known Kosovar singer, Rita Ora, through social media messaging has supported this campaign, calling for support to this initiative and fighting discrimination against survivors.
“Be My Voice” is a powerful appeal to the whole society for inclusion and support for survivors of sexual violence.

 

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KWN requests inclusion of specific Domestic Violence definition in amended Criminal Code

02.07.2018

 On June 14, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), wrote to all the Members of Parliament to strongly encourage to ensure that the specific definition of domestic violence that we and other key actors have recommended in line with the Istanbul Convention is included in the amendments to the Criminal Code of Kosovo (CCK), and to vote for its adoption.

      Domestic violence was among the most common crimes perpetrated in Kosovo during the last decade, as shown by police statistics. Only in the last three years (2015-2017), 49 women have lost their lives, due to violence perpetrated against them by other family members. In the last year, more than 1,125 domestic violence cases have been reported to the Kosovo Police. Moreover, a 2015 KWN study shows that more than 62% of Kosovars have experienced domestic violence in their lifetimes. However, official data from Kosovo courts show there have been very few convictions for such crimes. Our in-depth research in Kosovo has shown that this is partially because there is no specific definition of domestic violence within the current CCK. This means that crimes perpetrated within domestic relationships often have been treated only in civil proceedings, even when a criminal offence has been committed and should be prosecuted automatically (ex officio). Evidence also suggests that the lack of a specific definition of domestic violence within the CCK has contributed directly to recidivist violence against women, including death.
       In accordance with the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), in our Constitution, the state has a duty to protect women in both public and private spheres. We believe that the proposed amendments to the CCK will help address current impunity and the lack of access to justice for persons who have suffered domestic violence, particularly women. Moreover, the proposed amendments are in line with the Istanbul Convention, and best European practices.
      Also, following recommendations made by the European Commission’s Kosovo 2018 Report, the proposed amendment, would directly contribute to strengthened efforts to implement the Strategy and Action Plan on Protection from Domestic Violence 2016-2020, particularly Activity 3.1.3. on the amendment of laws, “specifying domestic violence as criminal act in the Criminal Code of Kosovo in accordance with the definition of domestic violence from the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence”.
       The recommended amendments were compiled by a group of experts from the Office of the National Coordinator on Protection from Domestic Violence, UN Women, KWN and the Kosovar Gender Studies Centre, all of which have extensive experience and knowledge regarding current challenges to ensuring access to justice for domestic violence crimes in Kosovo specifically. For further information, please find attached the official recommendations and justifications that our aforementioned working group provided to the Government Working Group, for your information. 
      ”‹”‹Therefore, through this letter KWN called upon all parliamentarians to ensure that the proposed amendments are included, as originally proposed, in the amended CCK, and to vote in favor of these crucial amendments. We thank you for your support in combatting domestic violence.    

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KWN members held their regular meeting

02.07.2018

 On 25 June 2018, Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) held its regular membership meeting at the Hotel Sirius, attended by representatives of the KWN member organizations and other supporters.

Igballe Rogova, Executive Director of KWN, welcomed those present and the new members to the Network, emphasizing that the number of member organizations has reached 134. In addition, she stated that the work on the new KWN Strategy 2019-2022 has already begun at the two-day meeting in Durrësand will continue in the next meeting in September to make the final draft of the Strategy.
Following this, the attendees were informed about the Equality for Coalition, which was established on 22 June 2018 by women in politics at the central and local level, the non-governmental organizations run by women and women activists who support and empower each other in improving the position of women in politics, decision-making and advancement of gender equality in Kosovo.
After this, the KWN staff informed the attendees about the call of twelfth round of grants under the KWF for 2018, which was opened on 26 June until 10 July, and grants in a total amount of € 49,000 will be distributed, with the support of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA). The members were informed about the changes in application procedures, since this year, the KWN has simplified the manner of application through a brief description by completing the Project Idea Form, so that the KWN members have an easier access to these Funds.
            In this regard, the KWN members have selected the new members of the KWF Grants Evaluation Committee for this year, and they are: Besa Shehu, from the KWN staff; Besnik Leka, member of the KWN Board; Hasime Tahiri Hasani, member of KWN; Shukrije Gashi, member of KWN, and Yllka Soba, foreign expert.
In the last part of the meeting, the members had the opportunity to exchange information about their activities that they have undertaken recently, as well as the initiatives planned for the future.
The meeting was supported by Kvinna till Kvinna. 

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Mundësia advocates for education of children in rural areas

02.07.2018

 On June 19th, the Mundësia NGO, one of the members of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), hosted a debate on the topic: "The Rights of Children to Education". This debate was part of the "Promotion and Protection of the Rights of the Child" initiative, which aims to empower local communities to improve child protection measures in schools through awareness, mediation and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
In this debate participated: Hasime Tahiri-Hasani from Mundësia NGO, Ardita Kabashi from the Kosovo Education Center, Myrvete Hasani from Handikos Mitrovica and Arbenita Hajzeri as pedagogue.
     The debate focused on the challenges and obstacles faced by children in rural areas to attend upper secondary schools, due to the high number of youth from rural areas who do not enroll in upper secondary schools. The attending representatives of institutions, such as directors of primary and lower secondary schools in the Municipality of Mitrovica, representatives from the Municipality of Mitrovica, Kosovo Police, OSCE, the People’s Advocate Office in Mitrovica and Save the Children, were briefed on the issues and discussed finding solutions to these problems, also through potential cooperation.  
      Hasime Tahiri-Hasani, Executive Director of Mundësia NGO, opened the meeting by welcoming the participants. She also said that the organization she leads has for years been engaged in support of activities in rural areas, so that more children in these areas continue their education. 
"The European Convention on Human Rights should be recognized and respected. In this regard, the right to schooling and education should be a priority, especially in remote rural areas that continue to face grave conditions and where the value of further education for women and girls is put in question. For years we have supported girls’ education in some localities like Vllahi, Rashan and Skroma of Vushtrri", Hasime Tahiri-Hasani said.
       The recommendations that emerged at this discussion were mainly directed at the Directorate of Education in Mitrovica, and priority was given to education for children with special needs. Other recommendations included: providing transport for students from rural areas, raising awareness of the rights to education and equality, greater care and control for children during changes in the school cycle.

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Photo Caption: KWN Executive Director Igballe Rogova, Professor Cynthia Enloe (left), and Madeleine Rees, WILPF Secretary General (right) share experiences with Ukrainian women's rights activists in Odessa, on 18-20 June.

Ukrainian Women’s Rights Activists Learn from Kosovo Experience

19.06.2018

 Yesterday, Igballe Rogova, KWN Executive Director, shared her more than 25 years’ experience as a Kosovar women’s rights peace activist with Ukrainian activists, during an event on “Women’s Activism for Peace in Ukraine”, taking place on 18-20 June in Odessa, Ukraine.
        Telling stories from her work during the 1990s, as a women’s rights activist working under the oppression of Serbian authorities, she inspired Ukrainian women’s rights activists who face many similar challenges today. She shared experiences from Kosovo on how to build a vibrant and strong civil society that can contribute to peace, as well as strategies for advocacy at grassroots, national and international levels. She spent the afternoon mentoring individual Ukrainian activists who sought further advice on various issues that they face.
        This event was organized by the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF). Other prominent speakers included Madeleine Rees, WILPF Secretary General, and Professor Cynthia Enloe, a renowned feminist author on linkages between gender-based violence, militarism, nationalism, violent masculinities, reparations, justice and truth telling.

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Solidarity among women: Change occurs when women from politics and civil society join forces

02.06.2018

 Solidarity among women and the journey towards decision-making positions was the central topic discussed in the meeting of Lobby for Gender Equality in Kosovo, held on 12 April in the Municipality of Suhareka, upon the invitation of Ms. Mihrije Syka, Vice Mayor of Suhareka, and Ms. Habibe Bytyqi, Human Rights Unit Coordinator and Gender Equality Officer in the Municipality of Suhareka. This meeting was attended by 70 assembly women deputies and girls from various municipalities of Kosovo, and representatives of Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) member organizations.

The attendees were given the opportunity to direct questions to the meeting hosts to get information about the women and girls’ situation in the Municipality of Suhareka and to compare and share experiences from other municipalities.
            Afterwards, Rogova took the floor and introduced the attendees to the idea of re-establishing the Kosovo Women’s Lobby.
            “This Mechanism would bring together women involved in central- and local-level politics, women from the civil society, and any professional domain,” Rogova said. “This group would have no presidency, as we aim at women’s cooperation rather than positions. In addition, we should keep in mind that the European Union (EU) has European Women’s Lobby in place, where the right to participate is granted only to women from EU member states, but it is a good idea for us, as a state aspiring to access the EU, to initiate such group in Kosovo, too, so that when EU accession takes place, this mechanism will be ready to perform a dignified representation in EU instead of being represented by incompetent people.”
            All the attendees unanimously agreed to establish this mechanism and Rogova informed that that they will soon receive detailed information, including the date of the first meeting to launch this mechanism.
            Later, during the discussion on various important topics related to women and girls in Kosovo, it was jointly decided that the Lobby for Gender Equality in Kosovo should issue a press release and keep a stance regarding the following topics:
  •  
  • A letter to MEST concerning the lack of psychologists and pedagogues in schools;
  • A letter to MEST concerning non-approval of assistance for disabled children; and
  • Joint advocacy relating to the dislocation of families from Hade Village; it was decided that the Lobby will support the protest and raise the voice at central level, too, by bringing this topic up for discussion with deputy women.
  •  
Furthermore, the meeting held in Suhareka was dedicated entirely to “Solidarity among women and journey towards decision-making positions”. During the meeting, Rogova spoke briefly about women’s activation and advocacy both individually and collectively as a civil society towards furthering their rights.
            She shared with the attendees several true events that took place over the years, in order to show that the women’s inclusion in decision-making and vital processes after the last war in Kosovo was not an easy task.
“After we returned from refugee camps, we had to push the things forward all the time. To begin with, it was the Special Representative of Secretary General of UNMIK, Bernard Kouchner, who treated women like objects. In October 1999, immediately after the war, Kofi Annan took the position of UN Secretary General. Kofi Annan planned a meeting with the civil society. But do you know what happened? No women was invited, although UNMIK and OSCE said that Kosovars are “a patriarchal society”. But we had an ally–Lesley Abdela. […] She wrote to women and said, “Each of you has one minute. Make sure you know what you want. One minute each.” That day, Kouchner and Everts were shocked at the sight of three powerful women–Sevdije Ahmeti, Vjosa Dobruna, and I–appearing at the door. […] Annan said, “No, no, no. I am not here to speak. I am here to listen.” Can you imagine it? Poor Kosovo’s men […]. They were told that they would only shake hands with Kofi Annan, because they were not informed of them having the right to speak. Annan said, “I am here to listen. Who wishes to take the floor? We raised our hands. Sevdije Ahmeti mentioned women’s security and Vjosa Dobruna talked about women’s economic empowerment. Afterwards, I posed the question, “Why is it that the Transitory Council, which will assist in governing Kosovo until elections, has no women members?” Annan said, “I promise that latest by three weeks, the Council will have women members.” Afterwards, men congratulated us. They told us, “Oh God! You, women, are extremely organized!” But do you know what happened afterwards? Lesley was dismissed the next day. In fact, officially speaking, it was not a dismissal, but her contract was terminated. (You may find this story and many more in the report titled: “Facts and Fables for Resolution 1325 – A collection of stories about the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security in Kosovo.”).
            Furthermore, Rogova mentioned numerous successful advocacy initiatives that derived from women’s cooperation, including the establishment of the Gender Equality Plan, which then turned into the first national gender equality plan; selection of gender equality officers and establishment of other important mechanisms; establishment of Kosovo Women’s Lobby during 2002-2004, which Rogova said pushed forward many things, including election reform; protests where women demanded geographical representation from UNMIK in elections and, needless to say, gender equality. 
“Unfortunately, the Lobby was destroyed because of greed for positions,” Rogova said. “Therefore, we emphasize that neither the existing Lobby of Gender Equality, nor the Kosovo Women’s Lobby which we agreed earlier to re-establish shall have presidency or leading positions.”
Moreover, she recalled the 2012 protest for demanding justice for the survivors of sexual violence during war.
“At first, we talked to women in the Parliament so that we could do something together: we would organize the protest, and they would bring this topic forward in the Parliament. You know the power of that protest and the fact that such topic was brought up in the Parliament for the first time: the taboo wall, the wall of silence, of shame, were shattered, and the citizens started to manifest their support to the survivors.”
In addition, she said that after the successful cooperation with Assembly women deputies, they thought of starting to work at local level thus establishing Women’s Advocacy Groups, which would later turn into the Lobby for Gender Equality in Kosovo.
“There is one thing we should never lose sight of: when women join forces–there is change,” she said.
Empowered by the stories shared with them, women went on to discuss together and present advocacy activities that they had undertaken over the last months in their municipalities along with the ones they plan to undertake.
             This meeting of the Lobby for Gender Equality in Kosovo was supported by Austrian Development Agency (ADA). 

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KWN Presents at Sweden’s International Gender Forum

02.06.2018

 On 15-17 April, the Stockholm Forum on Gender Equality gathered “change-makers” from more than 100 countries to identify strategies for “strengthening women’s and girls’ rights, representation and access to resources”. The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) Executive Director Igballe Rogova was invited to attend, and KWN’s Program Director and Lead Researcher Nicole Farnsworth was asked to present KWN’s latest research, Mind the GAP: Independent Evaluation of the Implementation of the EU Gender Action Plan in Western Balkan Countries at the Forum, in a panel discussion organized with the Kvinna till Kvinna (Woman to Woman) Foundation.

      Following a brief presentation of Mind the GAP, panelists discussed: “How well is the EU really doing when it comes to implementing its Gender Action Plan?” There was  an interactive discussion regarding findings, recommendations and how gender advocates can use the EU Gender Action Plan II as an advocacy tool towards furthering gender equality worldwide, drawing from lessons learned from Western Balkan countries.  
       Moderated by Brigitta Jaksa, the panel involved Ambassador Mara Marinaki, Principal Advisor on Gender and on UNSCR 1325/WPS, European External Action Service; Karolina Vrethem, Deputy-Director, Department for Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Sweden; Petra Tötterman Anforff, acting Secretary-General, Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation; and Nicole Farnsworth.
Participants later stated that they found the discussion “fruitful and informed”, and that it was very relevant for activists and other actors working in different contexts, countries and regions.
 During the Forum, the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation also initiated a Call to Action, presented by 60 women human rights defenders from around the world to global leaders, entitled “Countering the shrinking space for Women Human Rights Defenders – A Global Call to Action by the Bravest Women in the World”. It calls for improved attention to the Personal and Organizational Safety and Security of women human rights defenders, funding for women’s rights organizations and movements amid the financial shrinking space, and better recognition of the important work of women human rights defenders.
 The Forum also provided an important space for KWN’s advocacy, networking and building alliances with other activists from around the world.
 For further information about the Forum: @GenderEqlWorld #StockholmGenderForum #GenderEqualWorld www.genderequalworld.com.
 

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Activists, Donors Strategize for Better Funding for Feminist Movements

02.06.2018

 The Count me IN! Consortium brought together 100 diverse activists and donors from around the world at a “Money and Movements” convening on 11-13 April 2018 in Naivasha, Kenya to discuss how, together, we can “create a future where feminist movements are strong, resilient and thriving”. Following our advocacy work related to funding for women’s organizing and the rather innovative approach of the Kosovo Women’s Fund, Nicole Farnsworth, Program Director and Lead Researcher at the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), was invited to attend.

 
The first day we “Got Oriented”, discussing expectations, as well as several challenges facing the feminist movement and individual activists, related to:
 
  • The human body: mental health for activists and activist burnout; autonomy over our own bodies, particularly for Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, and Transgender, and Intersex persons; access for women with disabilities; physical safety for activists facing security threats.
  • Power and government, amid structural adjustment policies, deregulation of big business, growing influence of private actors on the State, and religious extremism – leading some governments and providing “justification” for the “war on terror” (and its subjective definitions) for other governments – contributing to increased spending on “security” and surveillance (including of activists).
  • People and demography, including in the context of migration.
  • Technology, which can be utilized to support, but also to undermine feminist organizing.
  • Planet, including how the accumulation of wealth contributes to inequality and how the current economic model involving extractive industries irreversibly harms the earth as well as communities.
 
The second day we “Got Disoriented”, entering three creatively crafted scenarios of what the world could look like in the year 2035, based on research related to real, current trends. In one scenario, we entered a room in which the planet was in crisis with oceans filled with plastic, cities submerged in water, and all government funding channeled to rebuilding infrastructure following one environmental emergency after another. What was the role of feminist activists amid such environmental catastrophe, and what is our role now in preventing such a scenario from happening?
 
In a second scenario, we entered a dark room, with Star Wars-like print running on the wall. It informed us that globalized technology and “The Company” owning it had taken over the world, replacing nation-states. Feminist activists could only organize an underground, primarily at the community level. They involved feminist hackers in using “acupuncture activism”: inserting activists into The Company, towards undoing the system. The scenario raised questions, such as how can small, localized organizing undo huge power hierarchies and hold global companies accountable? What do activists need to do now to prepare themselves for the changes that technology is bringing, including ever-growing surveillance? How can we use technology to support our cause?
 
In the third scenario, we entered a party scene: feminism had entered the UN system and pop culture with magnificent marketing, fancy award ceremonies, and parties to rally crowd funding for different feminist initiatives. Funding feminism was hip, and it seemed the most ideal potential scenario of the three. Yet, activists still competed for resources, and we knew nothing of the existing power structures in place. Also, who was in the room with their pocket books full of money, and where did they get their resources? How do we avoid grotesque competition for funds and/or the commodification of feminist organizing?
 
The third day, we “Got Creative and Committed”. AWID presented an initial model for a “Feminist Funding Ecosystem”, which would seek to reach diverse forms of feminist organizing and movement building, towards transformative feminist changes, both locally and globally. Such a model would include a holistic approach; interconnectedness among actors; reflectiveness of context and environment; complexity, reaching diverse actors; and be movement-driven. Then, funders entered one room while activists convened in another, strategizing and identifying concrete commitments for the future.
 
“We call upon donors to commit to tackling the power imbalances that exist in financing: shifting from resourcing that involves competition that divides feminist movements, to resourcing that supports solidarity that contributes to justice,” stated the call to action made by the activist group on “Influencing Donors” that KWN joined. Moreover, activists requested:
 
Political support from donors in advocating to other donors: 1) that feminist movements bring about real change; 2) for long-term grants that support activists’ own strategies; 3) for institutional support; and 4) for less time-consuming application and reporting procedures, as these draw time away from activism.
Support for continuous networking that links local, national, regional, and global feminist organizing (ensuring that its inclusive, bottom-up, not elitist), including support for spaces like this convening where feminist activists can develop a clearer strategy for organizing and identify allies.
Avoid knowledge extraction from activists (e.g., in programming, consultations), without compensation for their time and proper recognition of their expertise.
Support research and evidence to “Make the Case” for funding feminist movements, including a healthy ecosystem of different types of funding that reach diverse forms of feminist organizing.
 
The group also discussed what activists can do: undertake solidarity-based fundraising: supporting each other to access resources (rather than compete with each other), including through advocacy. Other activist working groups discussed integrating attention to activists’ health, including activist burnout, within funding mechanisms; and modalities for self-financing, among other themes.
 
Donors discussed:
 
  • How can they improve internal policy coherence, ensuring that their funding sources are not undermining feminist causes, and that they support the aims of feminist organizing in political and policy dialogues?
  • How can they influence other donors to fund feminist movements?
  • How can they prevent larger international organizations from taking over feminist activists’ space (and resources) for organizing?
  • How can they collaborate to use evidence to debunk myths that funding feminist activism is “too risky”?
  • How can they come together to jointly fund feminist movements in a better way?
 
Participants jotted down their commitments on postcards to be reminded, months later, of the commitments made.
 
Overall, the convening was an energizing and empowering experience. Organizers succeeded in deconstructing the power relations that often exist between donors and activists, providing a space to think and strategize together about future funding for feminist movements, as well as to build diverse allies for shared aims.
 
The Count Me IN! Coalition that organized the event includes MamaCash, CREA, the Association of Women’s Rights in Development (AWID), Urgent Action Fund Africa, the Red Umbrella Fund, Urgent Action Fund Latin American & the Caribbean and Just Associates (JASS).

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Artpolis organizes the sixth edition of FemArt

02.06.2018

 Artpolis–Centre for Art and Community, organized the sixth edition of FemArt Festival from 25 to 30 May 2018. FEMART—Festival of Women Artists and Activities, gathers hundreds of women artists and activities from across the world, which exhibit their creative works through: Theatre shows, movies (documentaries, short and feature films), exhibitions, shows, concerts, speeches, workshops, discussion panels, and various art presentations. Under “YOU LEAD” moto, FemArt encouraged sustainability and solidarity for women and men whose fundamental rights are violated due to their ethnicity, race, sexual preferences, and social position.

        FEMART Festival artistic program addressed many various topics, including: human rights and feminist movements, sexual right and reproductive health, transitional justice and peace building, LGBTQI+ rights, women’s empowerment, violence against women, including promotion of women’s successful regional and global stories.
          The festival is a platform for developing and presenting ideas and creative works which bring forward feminist concepts and their development in Kosovo, thus engaging in seeking equal rights for women and serve as a bridge for peace building and dialogue in the region.
         “Women’s Virtual Museum” took place on 28 May in the framework of this edition. This museum, which appears as a digital entity that takes the characteristics of a museum, plays a more important role in promoting the value of peaceful activism held by women who protect human rights. This museum, the first one of its kind in Kosovo, is an interactive platform that showcases inspirational and life stories, photographs, and videos of women activists.
       Activists–Safete Rogova, Igballe Rogova, Lepa MlaÄ‘enović, Tatjana Nikolić, Fjolla Vukshinaj, More Raça and Manushaqe Nura–panelists, shared their stories of how they started their activism journey. During this event, Lepa MlaÄ‘enović, activist from Serbia, said, “I feel very happy and excited that I am in Prishtina among these fantastic feminists.” She paid particular attention to Sevdije Ahmeti’s yearlong contribution.
       Furthermore, Igballe Rogova, Executive Director of Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) told stories about their activism during ‘90.
       “We and Safete have worked at Motrat Qiriazi association in ‘90, and we included men and boys right from the outset, because we knew that we cannot bring about change in Has if we work only with women; we should work together to change this society,” she said. Rogova emphasized that solidarity among women was the greatest support at that time, because being an activist was not easy back then and is not easy today, either.
      Activist and renowned actor Safete Rogova said that it is impossible to speak about activism and feminism without mentioning Sevdije Ahmeti and her yearlong work. The panel went on with extraordinary stories of activists. The attendees were given the opportunity to ask various questions.
     Conference “Justice for Women Killed in Kosovo” was held on 29 May. Speakers in this conference were: Atifete Jahjaga, Igballe Rogova, Annete M. Faith-Lihc, Sevdije Morina, Linda Sanaj, Hilmi Jashari, Vjosa Osmani, Valdete Idrizi, and Arbërie Nagavazi. The conference was moderated by Ariana Qosaj-Mustafa. Former President Atifete Jahjaga opened the conference stating that she is disappointed with the relevant institutions which are failing to timely hand-cuff, bring to the bench, and punish the perpetrators of these criminal offenses.
      “It saddens me to recall the women who lost their lives in Kosovo over the last months and years due to violence perpetrated against them”, Ms. Jahjaga said. She added that it is unfortunate for the society and the country that women in Kosovo do not feel safe in their houses yet.
      Vice Chief State Prosecutor, Sevdije Morina, emphasized that violence against women goes underreported. Morina added that justice system should not play a conciliatory or intermediary role, and should not impose heavy punishment on women who kill their abusing men in self-defense. 
“There are cases where a woman kills her husband, but these cases usually happen after yearlong abuse that their husband has caused them. These cases pose issues, too. When a women kills her partner after suffering continuous abuse, she must be treated differently, which is something we have not done, because judges and prosecutors need to be educated and trained”, she said.
Igballe Rogova spoke about a case for which institutional support had been sought, but such request had been rejected.
“I know a woman who is in Lipjan, who had been violated for two years in row, and killed her husband in self-defense. Do you know her imprisonment term? 30 years! Although we have requested several times to reduce the years of her imprisonment, but this never happened”, she said.
Rogova recalled the case of Diana Kastrati, who was killed by her husband as a result of institutions neglecting to provide a protection order, despite subsequent requests.
Among others, Rogova harshly criticized Prime Minister of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, who promotes the Canun. She commented, “Gun shooting should be OK, then, since Canon allows it”.
The conference continued with debates during which the participants were given the opportunity to ask questions.
This year, the festival marked over 40 events in Pristina, Ferizaj and North Mitrovica. For more detailed information about the participants and the program you can click on the website www.femart-ks.com or on the FemArt Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FemartPrishtina/. 
This edition of FemArt was supported by donors, media sponsors and various institutional partners.

19.03.26

Applying a Gender Lens: Erkenda Begins Her Internship at KWN

03.03.26

Motrat Qiriazi: Women’s Activism in Kosovo Since the 1990s Told in Book

27.02.26

Empowering Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Communities to Address GBV and TFGBV

25.02.26

Breaking the Silence: Gender Justice in Northern Kosovo

13.02.26

Under threat, and resilient

13.02.26

The Double Life of Growing Up Online and Being Safe

Kosovo is the next to join #WikiGap global campaign

02.06.2018

UN Women, in partnership with Swedish Embassy in Prishtina and Kosovalive, organized an event called “Wiki-Edit-A-Thon” (wiki editing marathon) in order to give a stronger, voice to girls and boys online and increase women, peace and security related online content.
“Wiki-Edit-A-Thon” gathered tens of girls and boys from all across Kosovo, who contributed in increasing the number of online articles about women, peace, and security.
Considering the ever increasing evidence showing that women are powerful actors for sustainable peace in their communities and people, there is still a need to ensure the women’s representation at all processes of transitional justice in Kosovo.
          Speeches were delivered by: Henrik Nilsson, Ambassador of Sweden to Kosovo; Annette Fath-Lihic, Chief Political Advisor to EUSR/Executive Coordinator at the Office of the European Union in Kosovo; Rozafa Kelmendi, Project Manager at UN Women; Annea Hapçiu Director of Development, and Igballe Rogova, KWN Executive Director.
        “Lack of gender equality is a universal problem, and we all would benefit from this situation being changed. Research, our experience, and other people’s experience show that gender equality contributes to improved welfare and more peaceful society. Sweden is the first country in the world that follows a feminist foreign policy. Doing so stems from a moral conviction for justice and human rights, and because gender equality is the basic condition for peace, security, and sustainable development”, Ambassador of Sweden to Kosovo, Henrik Nilsson said in his opening speech.
        During her inspirational speech about her journey as an activist, Igballe Rogova emphasized the importance of the young people’s engagement in processes linked to gender equality, peace, and security. She informed the participants more about the activation of women during ‘90s in Kosovo, and the history and activities of “Motrat Qiriazi” Association, and went on to tell stories about the journey of women’s inclusion in decision-making processes.
        This event is part of #WikiGap global campaign, initially initiated by Wikimedia in Sweden and the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Similar events have already been held in more than 50 different countries across the world in order to improve the women’s online participation and help create a more gender-equal world.
The event, which took place in Prishtina, is part of UN Women project titled Gender Perspectives in Transitional Justice, funded by European Union.

 

19.03.26

Applying a Gender Lens: Erkenda Begins Her Internship at KWN

03.03.26

Motrat Qiriazi: Women’s Activism in Kosovo Since the 1990s Told in Book

27.02.26

Empowering Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Communities to Address GBV and TFGBV

25.02.26

Breaking the Silence: Gender Justice in Northern Kosovo

13.02.26

Under threat, and resilient

13.02.26

The Double Life of Growing Up Online and Being Safe