Kosovo Women's Network

Paper on Donors’ Gender Budgeting Discussed with Experts in Cyprus

06.03.2024

The Gender Budget Watchdog Network presented their Working Paper, Illuminating the Issues: To What Extent Are Big Funders Walking the Gender Budgeting Talk?, in Nicosia at the European Conference for Gender Budgeting organised by the Cyprus Gender Budgeting Platform on 21-23 March. On behalf of the Network, KWN Programme Director and Lead Researcher Nicole Farnsworth presented the paper and received feedback from experts and academics engaged in gender-responsive budgeting throughout Europe and beyond. Drawing from their advice, the Network will revise the paper and present it at the forthcoming United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York in March.

During the conference, the three Gender Budget Watchdog Network members attending also had the opportunity to hear presentations and learn from prominent experts including Diane Elson, Angela O’Hagan, Elizabeth Klatzer and many more.

A key take away from the Conference for KWN was the importance of ensuring Kosovo’s tax system’s aims are aligned with the government’s broader aims for citizen wellbeing. Achieving wellbeing should not be dependent only on social transfers and assistance; the tax system holds opportunities for furthering wellbeing, too. For example, the government could remove income taxes for persons at the lowest tax brackets, such as minimum wage and below, while increasing income taxes for those with larger salaries. Additionally, the government could remove Value Added Taxes (VAT) on basic products (e.g., food, medicine, hygiene supplies) on which women depend and because such taxes affect women more than men given their comparatively lower salaries. Instead, VAT could be increased on luxury products. Such lessons learned from feminist economists, presented at the conference, have been used to inform KWN’s recent report on the informal economy.

Gender Budget Watchdog Network members also utilised the Conference to expand the network and its cooperation, discussing opportunities for future advocacy with other gender budget networks in Europe. For example, opportunities for future joint advocacy related to the European Union’s Multi-annual Financial Framework towards integrating improved attention to gender-responsive budgeting were discussed.

This trip was supported by the Austrian Development Agency and Sweden as part of their support to the Gender Budget Watchdog Network.

08.07.25

From “Caring for Others” to “Caring for Self”

01.07.25

“The Shirt of Freedom”: A Theater Tour Amplifying Women’s Voices Against Violence

27.06.25

Art, Activism and Healing Flourish at FemArt 2025

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? 

KWN Launches Report “Gender Equality: At the Centre of IT… and Beyond”

06.03.2024

On 12 Feb., the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) launched its research report: Gender Equality: At the Centre of IT… and Beyond: A Gender Analysis of Digitalisation in Kosovo. The gender analysis holds significant policy importance as it aims to support the Government of Kosovo in integrating a gender perspective in public policies related to digital reforms, offering evidence-based recommendations. Additionally, the analysis aims to support the European Union (EU) with gender analysis to inform programming related to the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA) III and policy dialogues. Further, it seeks to provide civil society with findings and recommendations that can inform advocacy a more gender-responsive EU Accession process.

In his speech, the Head of the European Union Office in Kosovo and EU Special Representative, Ambassador Tomas Szunyog, said: “Kosovo is undergoing an important digital transformation in which no one should be left behind. This EU-funded Gender Analysis provides a detailed description of the current situation and can be a useful resource for the Kosovo Government to make the planned digitalisation-related reforms more inclusive. I am proud that the EU, the largest provider of financial assistance to Kosovo, is actively supporting this process.”

KWN invited representatives from several key institutions to participate in the launch, during which they updated the audience on the latest developments in digital reforms and reflected on the key findings and recommendations presented by KWN.

Agon Dobruna, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Finance, Labour, and Transfers (MFLT), emphasised that MFLT is highly committed to achieving gender balance, including in platforms it is designing regarding employment, such as Superjob. Further, he stated that he will advocate for the recommendations arising from this gender analysis to inform future labour legislation.

Agim Kukaj from the Ministry of Economy (ME) stated that Kosovo has made significant progress towards digitalisation and that the progress in this sector should be used to advance women and girls’ positions in digital employment, access to healthcare, and further skills development. He also emphasised that the Ministry of Economy will aim to integrate a gender perspective, in line with the findings and recommendations from KWN’s gender analysis, into the strategy that ME plans to draft in the ICT sector for 2024.

Shkëndije Shala, from the Agency for Informative Society (AIS), emphasised that AIS is in the process of launching the Open Data Kosovo platform, which will ensure data processing disaggregated by gender, among other categories. Processing data disaggregated by gender has been one of the key recommendations of this report, towards analysing the real situation of women and men regarding digital transformation.

Nazlije Balaj from the Ministry of Justice said, “This report by KWN is a reflection of institutional achievements in relation to digitalisation.” She stated that the work of KWN is highly important and praised the accurate findings. Balaj pledged that the Ministry of Justice will consider the findings in improving legal definitions to combat cyberviolence and gender-based violence, focusing on girls and women.

Meanwhile, Albert Aliu, a consultant from the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI), congratulated KWN’s work in identifying gender gaps towards digitalisation, emphasising that MESTI will soon functionalise a department on digitalisation and technology, as well as an online platform called “Learning Passport”, where both teachers and children will have the opportunity to enhance their digital capacities.

KWN’s comprehensive gender analysis discusses the gender-responsiveness of digitalisation processes related to several relevant sectors for Kosovo’s development and EU Accession, including the work of the Assembly, the Government, public administration, gender-responsive budgeting, law enforcement, social services, education, employment, labour, business, trade, agriculture, environmental protection, climate change response, energy, healthcare and media. KWN hopes that this analysis will serve as a basis for all interested parties involved in digital reforms. KWN also encourages the use of its methodology and innovative conceptual model elsewhere in the world for gender analyses of digitalisation.

The report is on KWN’s website. The gender analysis was co-funded by the European Union and Sweden, as part of the Coalition for Gender Equality in the EU Accession Process (EQUAPRO) Action “Advancing gender equality through the EU Accession process”.

08.07.25

From “Caring for Others” to “Caring for Self”

01.07.25

“The Shirt of Freedom”: A Theater Tour Amplifying Women’s Voices Against Violence

27.06.25

Art, Activism and Healing Flourish at FemArt 2025

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? 

The Kosovo Women’s Network with Continuous Support for Women’s Empowerment

01.03.2024

The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) has a clear mission: to support and empower women in all spheres of life. Collaboration with women at various levels is a long-term process, aimed at creating real opportunities for active participation in politics and society.

A successful example of this commitment is the Network’s collaboration with Arijeta Qafleshi Skeraj from the Municipality of Dragash, who today holds the position of Chairwoman of the Municipal Assembly. Once a member of the Lobby for Gender Equality in KWN, Skeraj has benefited from continuous support from the network in her political journey.

In February 2024, the executive director of KWN, Igballe Rogova, visited Dragash at a time when Mrs. Skeraj already held the position in that post. During the visit, Rogova stated that “Dragash has become an example of gender equality and equal opportunities between women and men, and this makes us very happy.”

On the other hand, Skeraj recalled the important role that KWN has played in her journey, especially through the meetings of the Lobby for Gender Equality – an initiative of KWN that brings together women in politics and activists to promote tangible changes at the local level. She singled out the encouraging words of Mrs. Rogova as an incentive to continue her race in politics.

On the same day, Rogova received recognition and thanks from other officials of that municipality, who appreciated her contribution and that of KWN in empowering women in that municipality.

Through numerous meetings and continuous support, KWN continues to be a strong ally for women who want to be part of the changes in society.

08.07.25

From “Caring for Others” to “Caring for Self”

01.07.25

“The Shirt of Freedom”: A Theater Tour Amplifying Women’s Voices Against Violence

27.06.25

Art, Activism and Healing Flourish at FemArt 2025

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? 

KWN Launches Report “Gender Equality: At the Centre of IT… and Beyond”

12.02.2024

Download File

Pristina, February 12, 2024 – The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) launched today its research report: “Gender Equality: At the Centre of IT… and Beyond: A Gender Analysis of Digitalisation in Kosovo”.

The gender analysis holds significant policy importance as it aims to support the Government of Kosovo in integrating a gender perspective in public policies related to digital reforms, offering evidence-based recommendations. Additionally, the analysis aims to support the European Union (EU) with gender analysis to inform programming related to the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA) III and policy dialogues. Further, it seeks to provide civil society with findings and recommendations that can inform advocacy a more gender-responsive EU Accession process.

In his speech, the Head of the European Union Office in Kosovo and EU Special Representative, Ambassador Tomas Szunyog, said:

“Kosovo is undergoing an important digital transformation in which no one should be left behind. This EU-funded Gender Analysis provides a detailed description of the current situation and can be a useful resource for the Kosovo Government to make the planned digitalisation-related reforms more inclusive. I am proud that the EU, the largest provider of financial assistance to Kosovo, is actively supporting this process.”

The report has been published on KWN’s website and can be found here.

The gender analysis was co-funded by the European Union and Sweden, as part of the Coalition for Gender Equality in the EU Accession Process (EQUAPRO) Action “Advancing gender equality through the EU Accession process”.

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

31.10.24

The Irresolute Resolution? After 24 Years, Resolution 1325 Remains Valid but Under-implemented

17.10.24

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

KWN Contributes to Drafting the Statement Ahead of the Commission on the Status of Women’s Session

29.01.2024

Representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs) across Europe and Central Asia (ECA) convened to contribute to the gender equality agenda, actively participating in the development of a robust civil society position statement leading up to the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68), scheduled from March 11-22, 2024.

Organized by the UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, over 150 civil society representatives gathered in a secure space to exchange perspectives and provide recommendations on advancing the gender equality and empowerment agenda for all women and girls in preparation for CSW68.

“The CSW needs to set clear targets for core support and flexible, sustainable, and feminist funding for women’s rights organisations [and] to hold both multilaterals and governments accountable to implementing gender-responsive budgeting,” argued Nicole Farnsworth, Program Director and Lead Researcher, at Kosovo Women’s Network.

KWN including Adelina Berisha and Elirjeta Beka also contributed to sessions on care work and social services.

In this context, the KWN emphasized that the state has an obligation to finance shelters and NGOs providing social services with sustainable funds. Additionally, the state should recognize the expertise of NGOs in drafting legislation and enhancing the capacities of officials.

08.07.25

From “Caring for Others” to “Caring for Self”

01.07.25

“The Shirt of Freedom”: A Theater Tour Amplifying Women’s Voices Against Violence

27.06.25

Art, Activism and Healing Flourish at FemArt 2025

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? 

Handikos Mitrovica Empowers People with Disabilities through Training

26.01.2024

Handikos Mitrovica has completed the initiative “Empowering Women and Girls with Disabilities: A Comprehensive Approach to Reproductive Health,” thanks to the grant provided by the Kosovo Women’s Fund.

Through various trainings, advocacy efforts, and meetings conducted by Handikos Mitrovica over three months, 30 women and girls with disabilities in the Municipality of Mitrovica directly benefited. Additionally, approximately 100 family members and relatives of these women and girls are considered indirect beneficiaries.

During this time, 20 women and girls with disabilities have been made aware of reproductive health, sexual education, and biological and social concepts about sexuality through three-day training sessions. Additionally, 14 girls and women with disabilities have been notified and informed about the role of a Counselor within the Main Center of Family Medicine.

Additionally, Handikos emphasizes that ten women have documented violations within the health system. Through information sessions with experts, 20 women and girls with disabilities have become aware and are ready to officially document and report abuses/violations of their rights in healthcare to the relevant authorities.

On the other hand, 10 mothers of daughters with disabilities have attended training sessions and have been made aware of the importance of sexual and reproductive health. They have also enhanced their capacities to discuss these matters with their daughters with disabilities.

As a result of this initiative, Handikos observes increased cooperation with local institutions to enhance the provision of services to women and girls with disabilities.

Through training sessions, meetings, and informative sessions, 30 girls and women with disabilities have socialized with each other.

The psychologist and trainer engaged by Handikos Mitrovica, Elfije Kelmendi, stated during one of the sessions that the discussion about reproductive health is more than necessary, as it is still considered a taboo topic.

NGO Handikos Mitrovica conducted this activity as a beneficiary of the 18th round of the Kosovo Women’s Fund, supported by the KWN’s Further Advancing Women’s Rights in Kosovo II,” financed by the Austrian Agency for Development (ADA) and co-financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

08.07.25

From “Caring for Others” to “Caring for Self”

01.07.25

“The Shirt of Freedom”: A Theater Tour Amplifying Women’s Voices Against Violence

27.06.25

Art, Activism and Healing Flourish at FemArt 2025

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? 

GBWN launches an e-academy for Gender-Responsive Budgeting

25.01.2024

The Gender Budget Watchdog Network, of which Kosovo Women’s Network is a part, has launched its electronic platform (e-learning) offering free training on Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB).

The e-Academy for GRB primarily targets representatives of civil society organizations aiming to enhance their capacities in this field and promote the utilization of GRB in monitoring public policies and finances. The training sessions are available in Albanian, English, Serbian, Bosnian, Montenegrin, and Romanian languages.

The courses that can be followed are:

1. Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB);

2. Gender budget beneficiary assessment;

3. Gender budget analysis;

4. Gender impact assesment;

5. Gender budget watchdogging in climate change financing;

6. Advocacy and lobbying on GRB and Climate;

7. Monitoring Resilience Response.

To enroll in the courses, please follow the link.

This initiative receives support from the Austrian Development Agency and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

08.07.25

From “Caring for Others” to “Caring for Self”

01.07.25

“The Shirt of Freedom”: A Theater Tour Amplifying Women’s Voices Against Violence

27.06.25

Art, Activism and Healing Flourish at FemArt 2025

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? 

EcoKosWomen Promotes Healthcare in Communities in Fushë Kosovë

24.01.2024

The member organization of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), EcoKosWomen, has successfully completed the initiative “Promoting Healthcare: A Necessary Part of Life,” thanks to a grant from the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF). Over five months, this organization has effectively increased awareness among Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian women regarding their rights to quality healthcare, reproductive health, and menstrual hygiene management. The initiative also addressed violations of these rights and provided information on how to report such incidents.

The women in the municipality of Fushë Kosova, engaged in EcoKosWomen’s activities, have been empowered with knowledge and provided with a patient’s rights card.

Through research, the project has illuminated the challenges and opportunities involved in enhancing access to healthcare for women in these communities. The findings were presented at a round table attended by participants from various fields, including influential decision-makers. This event has played a pivotal role in bringing attention to the problems and challenges faced by these women in accessing quality healthcare.

The organization has actively discussed and advocated for crucial issues with six representatives from the Municipality of Fushë Kosova. Emphasis was placed on the vital need to improve and facilitate access to quality healthcare. Additionally, there was an advocacy for the establishment of a dedicated budget line in the upcoming years to supply sanitary napkins to lower secondary schools. This initiative aims to benefit not only the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian citizens but also all residents of the Municipality of Fushë Kosova.

According to the organization, 293 girls have directly benefited from their activities, including 179 Albanian, 96 Ashkali, 11 Egyptian, 3 Turkish, and 1 Roma from the elementary school “Selman Riza.” Through the conducted lectures, awareness has been raised about their right to quality health services, reproductive organ health, and the management of menstrual hygiene. Additionally, 38 Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian women are direct beneficiaries as they participated in the activities of EcoKosWomen.

The organization “EcoKosWomen” undertook this initiative as a recipient of the 18th round of the KWN’s Further Advancing Women’s Rights in Kosovo II,” financed by the Austrian Agency for Development (ADA) and co-financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

08.07.25

From “Caring for Others” to “Caring for Self”

01.07.25

“The Shirt of Freedom”: A Theater Tour Amplifying Women’s Voices Against Violence

27.06.25

Art, Activism and Healing Flourish at FemArt 2025

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? 

Minister of Justice Albulena Haxhiu Visits KWN

23.01.2024

Minister of Justice Albulena Haxhiu, along with Political Advisors Nazlije Bala and Berita Abazi, visited the offices of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) on January 12.

During the meeting with all the staff of KWN, Minister Haxhiu and her associates held discussions with the Executive Director of KWN, Igballe Rogova, the Program Manager for Addressing Gender-Based Violence, Adelina Berisha, and the Program Officer, Besarta Breznica.

Minister Haxhiu was briefed about KWN’s programs, aligning with the organization’s four-year strategy, with a specific focus on initiatives to be developed during 2024 to address gender-based violence.

This meeting marks the continued cooperation between KWN and the Ministry of Justice, further strengthening the collaborative efforts in combating and preventing Gender-Based Violence throughout the year.

08.07.25

From “Caring for Others” to “Caring for Self”

01.07.25

“The Shirt of Freedom”: A Theater Tour Amplifying Women’s Voices Against Violence

27.06.25

Art, Activism and Healing Flourish at FemArt 2025

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? 

Gruaja Fermere Successfully Completes Initiative to Improve Women’s Access to Health Care

15.01.2024

The member organization of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), Gruaja Fermere, has successfully implemented the five-month initiative titled “Promoting Primary Healthcare for Women in Rural Areas.”

122 women and girls from the municipality of Rahovec, including the villages of Apterushë, Zatriq, and Krushë e Madhe, have benefited from this project. Additionally, there are around 200 indirect beneficiaries, including their family members and relatives.

Municipal health officials were also included in this initiative, being informed about the current situation in the municipality of Rahovec.

During this initiative, Gruaja Fermere organized four informative meetings with the aim of raising awareness about quality healthcare for women and girls. There were also four lectures held with women and girls from Rahoveci, Apterushë village, Krushë e Madhe, and Zatriq. Additionally, an advocacy meeting was organized with institutional officials.

According to Gruaja Fermere, from these meetings, 82 women became more aware of their rights to access quality healthcare and gained better understanding of the mechanisms for reporting violations of their rights. More women were encouraged to advocate for their healthcare rights and to document and report violations.

Additionally, over 40 women are now more informed about diseases and disease prevention, such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, as well as the management of diseases like diabetes. Through advocacy meetings, Gruaja Fermere has also succeeded in raising awareness among some municipal officials and service providers.

The organization “Gruaja Fermere” undertook this initiative as a recipient of the 18th round of the KWN’s Further Advancing Women’s Rights in Kosovo II,” financed by the Austrian Agency for Development (ADA) and co-financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

08.07.25