KRCT aims at addressing the stigma surrounding the survivors of sexual violence during the war in Kosovo

02.10.2017

“The purpose of the workshop is to increase the awareness of the current situation of survivors of sexual violence during Kosovo and the stigma surrounding them; to identify the main barriers and the measures to address the stigma at individual, community and institutional level”, Ms. Feride Rushiti, Executive Director of KRCT said in her opening speech.
The guests of honors to this workshop was the former President of the Republic of Kosovo, Ms. Atifete Jahjaga, Great Britain Ambassador to Kosovo, Mr. Ruairi O’Connell, and Head of EULEX Mission in Kosovo, Ms. Alexandra Papadopoulou.
 “After the dissolution of the National Council for the Survivors of Sexual Violence during the war, we witnessed a slowed-down process of recognition of these survivors’ status. Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MLSW) gave a positive impetus to the process; unfortunately, however, the Commission is slowing it down,” Ms. Jahjaga said in her speech. She further emphasized that, “It is our obligation as state and society to support the survivors of the sexual violence during the war”.
In the meantime, Ambassador O’Connell, speaking in a fluent Albanian, addressed the survivors of sexual violence attending this event. “I know that it has been 20 years that you have been fighting the stigma of sexual violence; you must be tired. But just like me you know that today there is no greater war in Kosovo than the war against stigma. Being a survivor of sexual violence is not to be ashamed of; it is not the survivor’s fault. Ashamed should be the one who committed this crime. Nobody can fight stigma better than you, because nobody can feel the pain more intensively than you do”.
Meanwhile, the Head of EULEX Mission in Kosovo, Ms. Alexandra Papadopoulou, in her welcoming speech, said, among others, that, “Providing the victims with sufficient support – whether psychological, social or economical and attempting to punish the authors of such crimes are two pillars of the attempts to overcome the stigma surrounding the sexual violence. The work and support of NGOs in this ongoing process is valuable and highly appreciated.”
            Organized in line with the Preventing Sexual Violence Global Initiative (PSVI) in London, the workshop brought together local and international experts to deal with the stigma surrounding the survivors of sexual violence during the war in Kosovo.
            Following the opening speech, activist and well-known actor Ms. Safete Rogova appeared in front of the participates and recited a poetry of hers dedicated to the survivors of sexual violence in Kosovo.
Furthermore, part of the agenda was a panel of open discussion composed of Ms. Igballe Rogova, Executive Director of Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), Ms. Sabiha HusiÄ‹ from Medica Zenica Association in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ms. Kadire Tahiraj, Director of the Center for Promotion of Women’s Rights (CPWR) in Drenas.
            Speaking of the great work that was done during the mandate of President Jahjaga towards supporting the survivors and the slowing of the process of recognizing the victim status for these survivors, Ms. Rogova highlighted that, “Given that other mechanisms are extant, the new Government of Kosovo must speed up the allocation of the necessary budget so that the survivors of the sexual violence during war can, at least, enjoy their rights to pension, in compliance with the law”.
            The rest of the first day of workshop was reserved for group work; regardless of the profession and institution they represented, the attendees were split into four working groups. I. Individual perspective, composed of the survivors of the sexual violence during the war in Kosovo; 2. Role of the media; 3. Role of youth organizations and independent journalists; and 4. Role of institutions, in which representatives of state institutions, civil society and international organizations participated.
During the work in groups, the barriers influencing the stigma surrounding the survivors of sexual violence in Kosovo was identified along with the manners in which such identified barriers can be overcome and what measures must be taken.
At the same time, during the second day of the workshop, the work in groups continued identifying the necessary resources and the time limits to undertaken the measures and address the stigma. In addition, each working group was given the opportunity to present its work in front of the attendees, namely the other working groups.
The results of this workshop aim at contributing to the survivors’ increased access to rehabilitation, courts and other reparation programs.
 

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Student from University of Massachusetts contributes in conducting Gender Analysis of Kosovo

02.10.2017

Andrea Pulido from University of Massachusetts Amherst, volunteered this summer with the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) to help the research team conduct their Gender Analysis of Kosovo.
      Andrea loved learning about social justice in Kosovo, especially with a gendered perspective. Some of her favorite events included attending FemArt (the annual feminist creative arts festival), a conference held by the Kosovar Center for Gender Studies on “Gender Policies in Civil Society and Private Sector”, and a protest for the Justice of Zejnepe Berisha.
She was also interested in learning about the issues that ethnic minorities face in Kosovo.
      “Before Kosovo Women’s Network, I was aware of the gender issues within Kosovo but I had never researched how ethnicity and race affected the situation.”
      For the most part, Andrea worked on the Gender Analysis Profile, which asseses various sectors and institutions in Kosovo (e.g., healthcare, education, democracy/governance, LGBTQI rights, and employment). Through analyzing qualitative and quantitative data she was able to asses gender disparities within sectors, in order to later draft concrete recommendations to the Kosovar government and the European Union Office. She also conducted background research on sexual and gender-based violence in the Balkans to help inform KWN advocacy efforts in Kosovo and Europe.             
       Andrea plans on using this experience to broaden her idea of what feminism and activism looks like. She feels like this experience has prepared her to make gender-based conclusions and recommendations. In the future she wants to work for an organization and non-profit similar to KWN that manage to keep true to their initial goal of “prioritizing local women and their rights, without losing their vision.” She feels very lucky to have volunteered with an organization like KWN. 

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Mitrovica Women’s Association empowers young women decision-makers

02.10.2017

 On 14 September in Mitrovica, Mitrovica Women’s Association for Human Rights organized a training in the framework of “Young women decision-makers” project. This training was attended by 10 women candidates in local elections from the Municipality of Mitrovica, Director of MWAHR and representatives of Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN). 
     Considering the very small number of women candidates to Municipal Assembly and the very small number of women in decision-making positions, the organization initiated the implementation of this project which aims at increasing the number of women candidates for the Municipal Assembly members, greater participation in public debates and a broader inclusion of women in decision-making processes. 
               The training aimed to build the capacity for new women candidates, prepare them for public presentations. The topics dealt with in this meaning and of which women gained new knowledge included: communication, debate, public presentation, leadership. 
               One of the women who is running for the first time for assembly member added that, “The importance of this training is in empowering the women who participate in decision-making processes and that regardless of the fact that all the women present in this training were from different political parties, this training is important for each of us and empowers us as society, as women. The decision to get involved in politics was not easy and I hope that the other women will support us.” 
This project was supported by Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) and funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA).

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International Relations Committee of the House of Lords meets KWN and KRCT

02.10.2017

In the second week of September, representatives of the International Relations Committee of the House of Lords, Baroness Coussin, Lord Grocott and Baroness Helic, Roshani  Palamakumbura, policy analyst, and Kenneth Morrison, advisor, stayed in Prishtina and Mitrovica to get closely acquainted with the current situation in Kosovo. On 19 September, the representatives of this Committee met with the executive directors of the Kosovo Women’s Network Igballe Rogovoa and Kosovo Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims (KRCT) Feride Rushiti.
During the meeting, the attendees discussed the developments and challenges faced particularly by women-led organizations, the socio-economic and political situation of Kosovo. A particular emphasis was placed on the discussion about the survivors of sexual violence during the war in Kosovo. Rogova and Rushiti informed the attendees in more details of their work and advocacy in the process of rehabilitation and recognition of their status as survivors of sexual violence during the war in Kosovo.
            “On 8 March 2012, we publicly sought legal protection and justice for the survivors of sexual violence. Today, we have been granted legal protection, but we must make sure that they see the already belated justice for them,” Igballe Rogova said.
 

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CBWK advocates for implementation of law on blind persons

02.10.2017

 On 15 September, Committee of Blind Women of Kosova (CBWK) organized in Prishtina a round table meeting in a series of activities carried out in the framework of “More rights for blind women” projects. The round table meeting, attended by assembly members also, was held to address the demands and concerns of CBWK, including the application of law, equal treatment, etc., paying particular attention to the discussion on how to improve the application of law on education for blind women. In addition, using the moto “You deserve equal treatment”, CBWK expressed the need for support from assembly members by becoming blind women’s voice in certain structures of the government. 
     At the same time, during the meeting, lawyer and trainer Halil Kurmehaj said that, “Legally speaking, the law on blind persons provides for equal treatment, but these laws are not applied in consistence with the immediate needs of these people. Without setting aside their need for an advocacy plan, which infuriates them in the education perspective, such as the provision of school equipment or tables for blind students, provision of materials written in Braille, and employment at local level and inclusion of these persons in society”. 
     Other demands were about having a more advanced mechanism for urban transportation, namely installing acoustic signalers for certain starting places and stoppage ones, as a facilitation for their better spatial orientation, including the exemption of blind persons from payment. Discussing on numerous problems faced by blind persons, Bajramshage Jetullahu, Director of CBWK said: “We hope that more work will be done with this social category in order to integrate them in society as well as possible, with a particular focus on services of public transportation, education and employment”.
This project is supported by the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) of the Kosovo Women’s Network and funded by the EU Office in Kosovo.

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Open Door organized the 13th Craftsmen’s fair

02.10.2017

Open Door Women Center organized on 14 September, a solemn opening of the 13th Craftsmen’s Fair and Cultural Heritage 2017. The traditional fair was organized in the framework of the European Cultural Heritage Days, from 14 until 18 September. 
     While Open Door has, since 2005, brought to Prishtina the cultural diversity integrating and promoting various communities through this fair, the last one is considered to be the greatest manifestation of craftsmanship in Kosovo, promoting cultural elements and cultural heritage. 
     During four days, the fair brought in Nënë Tereza Square, in front of visitors, handicrafts of applicative art made in unique ways in textile, wood, stone, metals; folk costumes, loom works, various embroidery works, clay pots, traditional food from various parts of Kosovo and the region. Belgjyzare Muharremi, Director of Open Door Center, said that the work and efforts paid off through the success that the fair reaped, giving us the will to keep organizing this event in the years to come.

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KWN members learn how to write effective policy documents

02.10.2017

 Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) in cooperation with its member organizations, advocates regularly to change the public politics at municipal and central level concerning matters important to women, from addressing the gender-based violence to accessing the health care. However, to influence the public policies, it is important to have strong evidence and arguments supporting our recommendations provided in these documents. 
       Therefore, on 21 September 2017, KWN organized an interactive workshop on “Writing effective policy documents”, held at EU Information and Cultural Center in Prishtina, in order to provide support to its member organizations in refining the writing of policy documents. 
            The attendees of this workshop were informed of the strategy of writing policy documents; types of policy documents; how to select the most suitable type of document depending on the field they advocate in; the content that such policy documents must have; and methodology that may be employed to draft them. 
            When the applicability of policy documents was being discussed, one of the participants to the workshop highlighted that during their daily work in the organization and in cooperation with various institutions, they had noticed that “some of the policy documents drafted at central government level oftentimes are not that functional and cannot be implemented accurately at local level because of the lack of the budget to carry out such policies.” 
            Meanwhile, a part of the workshop included information and discussions on the analysis of policy issues, emphasizing that an important aspect when drafting the policy documents should be the inclusion of  gender analysis, social analysis and environmental analysis. This implies that during this process we should keep in mind how the policies influence differently women and men; how the unique needs of women and men will be considered in the framework of the project; what social groups are or may be positively or negatively influenced by the policies we are creating; how the policies can influence the environment; and what steps should be taken to prevent any potential environmental degradation? 
            To support this information, one of the workshop participants brought an example of how we could include the foregoing questions when analyzing the program in a situation from our local-level daily life. 
            “I think that it is highly important to participate in municipal public discussions and bring up these matters, with a particular focus on matters related to gender analysis. For example, a highly probable situation would be the blocking of roads during winter. When analyzing this issue from a gender perspective, a concrete example would be if we discuss at local level on which roads that are used the most by women when they carry out their daily tasks, say sending children to school, should be cleared the first from the snow.” She further added that during these municipal discussions open to public, “as KWN suggested us, we should push forward the allocation of the budget for matters of priority for us, and we should ask to see the budget documents which, as we know, are public documents, so that we can monitor whether these issues are indeed being included in the budget planning or the promises they have given us are being kept.” 
  This workshop was supported by the EU Office in Kosovo.

 

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Women of Krusha e Vogël learn how to draft a business plan

02.10.2017

 On 20 September, “Krusha e Vogël” organized in Prizren a training in the framework of the project titled “You, too, crate a business; don’t hesitate”. This training was attended by 15 women and men benefiting from the project, representatives of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) and lecturer Mr. Bahri Zeneli.

            This training aimed at economically empowering women focusing on informing them of various opportunities to apply for subsidies and grants and increasing the professional knowledge on doing business.
            Considering the huge unemployment of women from rural areas and their not being professionally ready for the labour market, namely in the aspect of business management, it was deemed reasonable to provide these trainings which result in them being trained to direct their businesses in the future. In addition, taking into account the fact that women in rural areas, particularly those from Krusha e Vogël, do handicrafts and carry out various agricultural activities such as seeding and cultivating various fruits and vegetables, the organization deemed it reasonable to work with them and to make them exercise their ‘craftsmanship’ or activities as a business, thus providing themselves and their families with a higher living standard.
            During this training, the topics that were discussed were: writing a draft-proposal, narrative budget, logical framework, work plan and keeping business finances. At first, the participants were explained a basic form of business plan and all the elements it must contain. Besides lectures, the participants worked together with the lecturer to create a draft-proposal template which served as a practical drafting sample.
            While this was the first time for many beneficiaries to participate in such workshop, what they learnt was very important, and they hoped that they will include in business plans their ideas to open small businesses and apply to donors for various subsidies.
This project was supported by Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) of the Kosovo Women’s Network and funded by Austrian Development Agency (ADA).

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Female students informed of sexually transmitted diseases

02.10.2017

On 21 September, Association for Education and Family Care (AEFC) held a meeting in the framework of the project titled “An educated woman­—a healthy society”. This meeting was attended by 35 female students of 8th and 9th grades of Shaban Golaj Elementary School in Lipovec village, Gjakova.
The general goal of this meeting was raising the women’s awareness of the risk of unwanted pregnancies, right to health care, and risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV/AIDS.
“Taking into account the experience of the organization and field research, it was considered reasonable to deal with this matter because the girls’ level of knowledge on sexual health is extremely low and cases where they have been infected by such diseases have not been uncommon”, Fikrije Komoni from AEFC said.
The students were given explanations about HIV virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, the causes HIV which might turn into AIDS, symptoms, ways of transmission and prevention. In addition, other topics were also discussed which were to the interest of the women students such as the menstrual cycle; the young girls were offered the opportunity to hold consultations and conversations with gynecologists.
           One of the students said that, “This is the first time we were lectured on these topics” and that during this meeting “we have learnt a lot about reproduction health”. She further added that at the beginning of the lecture, when the topic was introduced, she felt shy because she could discuss about these topics only with her mother, sister or female friends and not in the presence of many girls.
At the end of the meeting, the girls were given a questionnaire which contained basic questions on reproduction health, which will help girls draw conclusions on their knowledge on this field relevant to their age.
This project was supported by the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) and funded by the European Union Office in Kosovo.

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American Student helps KWN further their Gender Analysis of Kosovo

01.10.2017

Lauren Hanna is in her final year at the University of Washington, studying Public Health with a focus on epidemiology and women’s health. She interned this summer with the Kosovo Women’s Network, furthering a myriad of different projects but focusing on the completion of the Gender Analysis.
            This project is part of the EU GAP II Action Plan, in order to draft concrete recommendations to Kosovar Institutions and the European Union office in relation to disparities between the genders. It also looks at the intersection of gender and ethnicity, calling into question some of the deep-rooted problems Kosovo faces currently.
            Her favorite part of the experience was working alongside some of the most amazing and inspiring women she has ever met. She feels incredibly lucky to have contributed to important research, setting up workshops, and drafting policy briefs/project proposals in a country that is rapidly changing and growing.
            Lauren is passionate about gender equity, and making sure that women have the resources to meet their full potentials. She was becoming disheartened with the NGO community, seeing that most of their grant money was going back into the organizations and salaries rather than the community. Then she started working for Kosovar Women’s Network.
“It’s such a blessing to have met the KWN women who are so passionate about what they are doing, and who really care changing the lives of women in their communities. It is rare to find such a prominent CSO who has remained true to their core values and beliefs, and who put 110% of what they get, back into the country.”
She looks forward to remaining on the Gender Analysis project until its completion while she returns back to school, and hopes to return to Kosovo sometime in the near future.

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