Kosovo Women's Network

Municipality of Mamusha Adopts Gender Equality Action Plan

02.02.2017

     Early marriage, girls discontinuing their education after primary school and a very low number of women in decision-making positions all were among the challenges facing women and girls in Municipality of Mamusha. The lack of gender policies at the municipal level was identified as one of the obstacles to the appropriate planning of projects and their implementation by institutions and civil society, towards advancing gender equality.
     Identifying these issues and at the request of municipal officials, organization Dora Dorës has prepared a Gender Equality Action Plan for the year 2017-2019, which has been adopted by the Municipal Assembly of Mamusha. The plan deals with key areas including education, health, economic empowerment, women in politics and decision-making, domestic violence and many others. Also, for each of these areas, a person who will be responsible for their implementation was appointed.
     ‘Women here work a lot. They cultivate fruits and vegetables, create hand rafts… and all of this work needs to be acknowledged by others. The education of girls is also necessary’, said Luljeta Avdiq, Project Manager of Dora Dorës.
     In order to draft this plan in the best way possible, Dora Dorës organised workshops with representatives from institutions, gender equality officers, relevant directors from Turkish and Albanian communities, women and men. In these workshops, the main areas of action were determined, as well as concrete objectives and activities. Based on best practices, these were identified following a gender analysis of the situation in the Municipality of Mamusha.
     During one meeting, Seilan Mazrek, Human Rights Official within the Municipality, spoke about the importance of this plan which tackles various issues related to women’s rights in different fields.
     Overall, 189 people benefited from this project, including women and men who contributed directly to its implementation. Now women and men who work in the Municipality of Mamusha will be better prepared to work towards addressing the needs within their community. They plan to continue informing diverse people about the existence of the Gender Equality Action Plan and its importance, towards contributing to its implementation in the future. The fact that the plan has been adopted by the Municipal Assembly, and that institutions have been very involved in the process of drafting it, is a good first step towards ensuring the political will necessary for its implementation in the future.
     This initiative was supported by the Kosovo Women’s Fund (€2,994), funded by the European Union Office in Kosovo.

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence? 

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence

KWN Discusses Human Rights with Students

02.02.2017

Students from the European Master’s Degree in Human Rights and Democratisation Master programme met Igballe Rogova, KWN Executive director on 21 January.
Rogova initiated her lecture by informing the students on women’s activism in the 90s, about the association “Motrat Qiriazi”. She also on the post-war period, and how the association never ceased its work by helping Kosovars who lived in refugee camps.
The students that were present had the opportunity to become informed on how the first women’s rights organizations in Kosovo were formed, as well as on the history and work of KWN from its beginnings.

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence? 

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence

Kosovo joins more than 5 million activists in Women’s March

02.02.2017

     The next morning of the inauguration of the new US President, thousands or women and men in various countries across the world joined Women’s March. More than 5 million human rights activists came together to deny the offensive, denigrating, sexist, racist and misogynist language used by the new US President during the election campaign. Having started in Washington D.C. – firstly to address the needs and demands of marginalized groups in USA – the movement got an impetus to later take global dimensions, thus turning itself into a proactive international initiative which made individuals stand up to protect the rights of women and other groups as a response to the rhetorics of far-right political wing in the world.
     In Kosovo, the Women’s March, which was organized on 21 January by the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), was supported by men, women, and young people whose goal is to protect the human rights.
    The Republic of Kosovo, albeit a small country with extremely small influence on global politics, joined this march, given that in Kosovo the rights of women and persons from other marginalized groups, such as the disabled persons, persons from ethnic minority groups, persons from LGBTI groups, have also been the target of threats and violation of human rights. To join millions of activists across the world and to address the needs and demands of the Kosovo citizens, through the march, there was a call to stop violence against women; to respect the women’s right to employment; to respect the rights of the disabled, to respect the LGBTI persons’ rights; to respect the right to reproductive health; and to put a stop to the use of sexist language. All of these were transmitted with a joint message – the women’s rights are human rights.
    Through research and daily activities, KWN considers that in Kosovo the violence against women continues to be quite evident. In 2015, 68% of women in Kosovo declared that they have experienced domestic violence and 64.1% declared that they have been sexually harassed. The participation level of women in the labour market continues to be very low – only 18.1%. Of 5000 registered blind persons or persons with sight impairment, only 30 have found a paid job in Kosovo; daily threats and rejections against LGBTI persons remain a great concern for the Kosovo society.
     Furthermore, Kosovo continues to face Kosovo politicians and leaders who use a sexist and denigratory language towards women. They continue to call their women colleagues by offensive names, and are attempting through their sexist language to discourage women in power, to silence them, and to make them obedient to the orders of their colleagues, who oftentimes do not mind using words like: “cow”, “hyenas cultivating whoredom", "grazing sheep", including cases where the President of the Assembly says "suck my ***" to his woman deputy colleague.
    Through this march, organized to the defense of human rights, Kosovo politicians and leaders were reminded of the use of such language being unacceptable, and that we will not stop until all women enjoy equality and harmony at all levels of governance in the society.
     KWN wishes to thank the March supporters because it is only by standing together that we can make a change towards enabling the full and non-discriminatory adherence to human rights. Standing together, we should continue to work peacefully while being aware that there is no real peace without justice and equality for everyone.

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence? 

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence

KWN shares experience on creating a sustainable network

02.02.2017

From January 23 until 26, Kvinna till Kvinna (KtK) organized a meeting with the theme “Sustainable Partnerships”, in order to prepare for their phase out from the South Caucus region by 2020. Igballe Rogova, Executive Director of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) together with other partners of the region, participated in this four-days meeting in Stockholm.
The purpose of this meeting was to take input from participants’ experience in the context of each country to create a sustainable exiting plan. Everyone gave their input about concerning issues, to inform the Strategy which will be used for the exiting plan. The Director of KWN, shared her experience on how to create a sustainable and democratic network. She then gave examples on how to make it nationally and internationally recognized.

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence? 

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence

Register now your property as co-owner or sole owner!

02.02.2017

     Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), with support from PPSE Swiss Contact has been implementing My House My Right project since May 2016. The project aims at the provision of legal and financial aid for registering the immovable property in the name of women as single owners or co-owners.
     Until now, KWN provided its assistance to 106 cases of property registration. Such was the case of the couple – Fatime and Jahir Limaj, parents of three children. Fatime and Jahir are engaged in agricultural activities, mainly in planting vegetables at a parcel near their house. Then they sell their products in the mobile market in Prishtina.
     Several years ago, the couple purchased a land plot from a close relative of theirs, but they never undertook any action to register it as their own property. To carry out their agricultural activity, the Limajs decided to apply for grants. Unfortunately, they never got any because every time they applied, their land had to be registered in their name. In Kosovo, there are many such cases that are a victim to mentality, which over the course of the years has turned into normality. As a result, this situation made it impossible for them to use their land as their property.
     Arta Shushka, field coordinator of this project, visited the Limajs to inform them closely about the opportunities and procedures to be followed to have their property registered.
     "I met with them and informed them about their rights. I told them about the administrative instruction which reads that the registration of property in name of two spouses is made free of administrative charges", Arta said.
     Immediately after this meeting, Limaj couple together with Arta visited the Cadastral Offices in the Municipality of Malisheva to initiate the necessary proceedings. They have now registered their land as their joint property.
     "We are very happy because it is the first time we feel that the land plot belongs to us. I hope that the Ministry of Agriculture and the Municipality will support us through grants so that we develop our agricultural activity which we use to support our living and to pay for the education of our children", Fatime and Jahir Limaj said.
     To benefit from free aid in order to register your property in your name, as co-owner or sole owner, write to us at: regjistropronen@gmail.com or call us at: +381(0)38 245 850.
     My house, my right!

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence? 

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence

Activists Seek to Inform Kosovo’s EU Accession Process from a Gender Perspective

31.01.2017

On 13 Dec. the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) in close collaboration with the Kosovo Lobby for Gender Equality launched three papers that seek to inform Kosovo’s European Union (EU) Accession process from a gender perspective.

The first paper presented is entitled How Might EU Accession Impact Gender Equality in Kosovo? This working paper uses statistical analysis as well as draws from qualitative information available to examine how EU Accession has impacted gender equality in other countries. The authors sought to learn lessons for Kosovo based on the experiences of other countries, towards informing Kosovo’s EU Accession process from a gender perspective.

The second paper, Establishing the EU Gender Equality Index in Kosovo, examines which data Kosovo currently has available towards establishing the Gender Equality Index in Kosovo. Where data is lacking, KWN proposes cost-efficient solutions for institutionalizing the collection of data still needed. Establishing this Index can be very useful for policy-makers and activists alike, KWN argues, by providing a tool for monitoring progress over time. This can inform baseline data, indicators and targets, such as related to Kosovo’s forthcoming new Programme on Gender Equality, among other strategic documents.

The third paper, entitled What Do Women Want from the EU Accession Process in Kosovo? summarizes key issues that diverse women in civil society and politics in Kosovo have raised during consultations held throughout 2016. In the spirit of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, the paper seeks to bring women’s voices into Kosovo’s EU Accession process. Where feasible, issues raised by women are linked directly to relevant EU directives, the new EU Gender Action Plan and Kosovo law.

Several key actors involved in Kosovo’s EU Accession process took part in the presentation of these papers and discussion, including: Anila Statovci, Deputy Minister from the Ministry of European Integration; Edi Gusia, Acting Chief Executive Officer from the Agency for Gender Equality in the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo (AGE); Thomas Gnocchi, Head of the Political, Economic and European Integration Section at the EU Office in Kosovo; and Yllka Soba, Programme Officer from the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, which supported KWN and the Kosovo Lobby for Gender Equality in researching and writing these papers. Representatives of KWN and the Kosovo Lobby for Gender Equality also took part, raising several issues in need of further discussion in future, follow-up meetings, planned to be held in 2017.

The Kosovo Lobby for Gender Equality unites women and men in politics and civil society from 27 municipalities in advocating for gender equality at the local level. Lobby members come from different political parties, and are of diverse ages, ethnicities, abilities, religions and geographic locations.

The new EU Gender Action Plan for 2016-2020, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security and Law No. 05/L -020 on Gender Equality in Kosovo all foresee the inclusion of a gender equality perspective in policy-making, including programming. Further, they underline the importance of decision-makers from the EU and within the state consulting with women during policy-making processes. This event sought to create a space for discussion among EU representatives, Government of Kosovo officials and women’s rights activists regarding women’s priorities for EU Accession and how gender equality can be further mainstreamed in this process.

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence? 

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence

Press Release 21 Women’s Organizations Receive Grants Amounting to €64,400 from Kosovo Women’s Fund

31.12.2016

Download File

28.03.25

Reaction of the Kosovo Women’s Network to the Recent Killings in Kosovo due to illegal weapons

08.11.24

Press Release – Recommendations for the Kosovo Parliament

05.11.24

Response to Klan Kosova – Do Not Promote the Perpetrators

04.11.24

Violence Against the Minor is Intolerable – KWN Calls for Justice and Immediate Action

17.10.24

Letter to the Chairman of the Assembly of Kosovo, Glauk Konjufca

14.10.24

Reaction: KWN calls for an urgent solution to the strike of technical workers of the Assembly

Gender Responsive Budgeting

29.11.2016

28.03.25

Reaction of the Kosovo Women’s Network to the Recent Killings in Kosovo due to illegal weapons

08.11.24

Press Release – Recommendations for the Kosovo Parliament

05.11.24

Response to Klan Kosova – Do Not Promote the Perpetrators

04.11.24

Violence Against the Minor is Intolerable – KWN Calls for Justice and Immediate Action

17.10.24

Letter to the Chairman of the Assembly of Kosovo, Glauk Konjufca

14.10.24

Reaction: KWN calls for an urgent solution to the strike of technical workers of the Assembly

Rodno Odgovorno Budžetiranje

29.11.2016

28.03.25

Reaction of the Kosovo Women’s Network to the Recent Killings in Kosovo due to illegal weapons

08.11.24

Press Release – Recommendations for the Kosovo Parliament

05.11.24

Response to Klan Kosova – Do Not Promote the Perpetrators

04.11.24

Violence Against the Minor is Intolerable – KWN Calls for Justice and Immediate Action

17.10.24

Letter to the Chairman of the Assembly of Kosovo, Glauk Konjufca

14.10.24

Reaction: KWN calls for an urgent solution to the strike of technical workers of the Assembly

Kosovo Women’s Fund Grants €63,974 to 17 Women-led Organizations

11.11.2016

On 10 Nov., the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) held a press conference to officially announce 17 recipients of 14 Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) grants, three of which are partnerships, totaling €63,974. Of them, the European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo has funded €47,069 and the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) has financed €16,905. Their initiatives will contribute to implementing the KWN Strategy 2015-2018, created jointly by KWN members.

“KWN serves as a bridge, linking member organizations and donors,” KWN Executive Director Igballe Rogova said. “Quite often English language skills, among other reasons, prevents these organizations from applying for grants to other donors. KWF offers organizations other opportunities.”

Rogova recalled the beginning of KWF in 2012, when it provided grants in the amount of €500, supported by Kvinna till Kvinna (KtK). Today, KWF funds partnership initiatives amounting up to €8,000. KWN achieved to expand KWF as a result of transparency, successful projects and hardworking KWN staff members, she said.

The representative of EU Office in Kosovo, Dario Di Benedetto stated that this fund is very important because it includes rural areas of Kosovo. The EU expects that through the implementation of their initiatives these organizations will improve the lives of women and girls, their children and the communities where they work. He emphasized that the EU now has a gender action plan, which requires all delegations to contribute to gender equality in the countries where they work.

“We are doing our part in Kosovo, with the help of KWN, by supporting women’s rights organizations in advocating for gender equality,” said Dario Di Benedetto. “We also work closely on gender issues with the Government of Kosovo in taking steps toward furthering gender equality in accordance with its Constitution and the Law on Gender Equality. More specifically, we want to achieve, with our partners, to involve more women in politics, at municipal and national levels. We realize this is still an issue, as highlighted by the recently published progress report. The EU also is working to ensure that the government provides protection for gender based violence,” he added.

The representative of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), Albulena Zaimi, said that they are privileged to work with KWN, and consider KWN a leading network towards promoting the implementation of the Law on Gender Equality in Kosovo. ADA is now implementing their strategy for 2013-2020, where one of the cross cutting themes is further gender equality.

“Since 2013, we have cooperated with KWN to support an increase in women’s participation in decision-making processes and to support the empowerment of women’s organizations,” she said. “We believe that this cooperation will continue in the future.”

During the press conference, grant recipients also spoke about the importance of KWF and the impact that it has on them. They emphasized the need to continue support of their initiatives through KWF.

“I am very happy for receiving support from KWF because 40 single women will benefit through this project,” said Veprore Shehu, Executive Director of Medica Kosova, a KWN member organization.

After the conference, KWN held an orientation session related to the implementation of organizations’ initiatives and later signed contracts with the following grant recipients:

Advocacy Grants for a Single Organization

· Action for Mothers and Children with the initiative: “Expanding Advocacy Curriculum Information Center for Information on Women’s Health and Training Center Staff” (€3,995, supported by the EU)

· Psychotherapists in Action with the initiative: “Empowering women victims of sexual violence and torture during the conflict in Kosovo in the region of Gjilan” (€3,595, supported by the EU)

· Kosovar Gender Studies Center (KGSC) with the initiative: “Gender Equality in EU Accession” (€3,000, supported by ADA)

· Institute Alpha with the initiative: “Protecting human rights of women prisoners in Kosovo through their socialization” (€3,985, supported by the EU)

· NORMA Lawyers Association with the initiative: “Empowering women by increasing institutional transparency” (€3,995, supported by the EU)

· NGO Bliri with the initiative: “Become a part and help in prevention of diseases” (€2,990, supported by ADA)

· NGO Rona with the initiative: “Advocacy to empower women farmers in villages of Malisheva” (€3,972, supported by the EU)

· Women’s Initiative Association with the initiative: “Time for a new political spirit” (€3,995, supported by the EU)

· Handikos Mitrovica with the initiative: “Empowering women with disabilities by raising awareness about their property rights” (€3,946, supported by the EU)

· Association of Women Farmers “Krusha e Vogel” with the initiative: “Advancing the position of women and girls in rural areas” (€3,000, supported by ADA)

· NGO Foleja with the initiative: “Increasing health education, family planning and reproductive health” (€3,675, supported by the EU)

Networking for Change Grants

· Medica Kosova & Cradle of Smile with the initiative: “Supporting access of war-affected single mothers to agricultural subsidy programs” (€7,915, supported by ADA)

· Center for Protection and Rehabilitation of Women and Children Liria & Legjendja with the initiative: “Increase Women’s position in peace-making processes and gender budgeting” (€7,927, supported by the EU)

· Artpolis & the Centre for Promotion of Women’s Rights with the initiative: “Promotion of the rights to sexual and reproductive health through art education and youth engagement” (€7,983, supported by the EU)

KWN’s Kosovo Women’s Fund offers small grants for women’s organizations that lack of other funding opportunities and that want to work for women’s rights, especially groups working in rural areas andor with marginalized persons. Since 2012, KWF has supported 83 organizations, totaling 355,996€. It has had more than 9,138 beneficiaries, and contributed to at least 13 policy changes towards improving the lives of women and girls in Kosovo. In 2016, the Kosovo Women’s Fund is receiving support from the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and the European Union Office in Kosovo.

18.06.25