Kosovo Women's Network

The National Council on Survivors of Sexual Violence during the War held a meeting to prepare an awareness campaign on 23 Apr,.

National Council on Survivors of Sexual Violence during the War Prepares Awareness Campaign

04.05.2015

The National Council on Survivors of Sexual Violence during the War held a meeting to prepare an awareness campaign regarding the new legal framework that exists to support survivors of sexual violence perpetrated during the war. This Council was created by the President of the Republic of Kosovo, on 7 Mar. 2014 to respond to concerns raised by women who had experienced sexual violence. The main purpose of the Council is to serve all people who suffered sexual violence, regardless of their gender, as foreseen by Law Nr. 04/L-054For Status and the Rights of Status and the Rights of Martyrs, Invalids, Veterans, Member of Kosova Liberation Army, Persons Raped during the War and their Families. Participants in this meeting included members of the Council, members of governmental institutions, NGOs including KWN, representatives of international organizations and diplomats.

This meeting was held in order to continue work towards implementing concrete commitments for drafting strategy for an awareness campaign that will be organized by the Council.

This campaign includes the documentary “Three Windows and a Hanging”, directed by Isa Qosaj. It aims to combat stigmas against persons who suffered sexual violence, as well as to inform citizens about the process of verification and recognition of sexual violence during the war. The Lobby for Gender Equalitywill contribute to this campaign by screening the movie in all municipalities where the Lobby’s members are active.

Raising awareness was considered a key objective for ensuring social and institutional support for survivors of sexual violence perpetrated during the war. It is important for supporting the process of fulfilling their rights, as foreseen by the Constitution of Republic of Kosovo.

KWN has been very active in this process, including as part of the working group finalizing the procedures for verification and recognition, as well as in organizing the awareness campaign.

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Gjakova to Institutionalize GRB

04.05.2015

In 2015, KWN has reached an agreement with the Municipality of Gjakova, according to which KWN will support the Municipality in institutionalizing Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) in budget processes and documents during 2015.

On 22 Apr., KWN held a workshop regarding GRB methodology with 17 representatives of the Municipality of Gjakova, including budget officers and directors of various departments in the Municipality of Gjakova. In his opening remarks, Mr. Teki Shala, Director of the Directorate for Budget and Finance in the Municipality of Gjakova, spoke on the importance of GRB for the Municipality of Gjakova, and how Gjakova is a leader for the Republic of Kosovo in that it will be the second Municipality to institutionalize GRB.

Nicole Farnsworth, KWN Manager and Lead Researcher and Donjeta Morina, KWN Capacity Development Coordinator held the workshop promising the participants that it would be very practical in nature. “By the end of this workshop, all of you should be able to go to your offices, and practically utilize GRB in the work of your directorate,” Ms. Morina said.

The workshop was very interactive and participants gave examples from their own directorates. Participants went through methods of how to integrate GRB in different economic categories, such as wages and salaries, goods and services, municipal expenses, and capital investments.

This workshop was the first step towards institutionalizing GRB in the Municipality of Gjakova. Follow up mentoring will be scheduled for the weeks and months to come, so as to continue practically training Gjakova officials on integrating GRB in their daily work. KWN also will assist in mainstreaming gender in the Gjakova Mid-term Budget Framework (MTBF), 2016-2018.

The workshop and the cooperation with Gjakova is receiving support from the Austrian Development Agency. This initiative comes after collaborating successfully to support the Municipality of Kamenica to implement GRB in 2014. KWN’s prior work with Kamenica was very successful in that Kamenica budget processes and documents became more gender sensitive. Ultimately, Kamenica took the first steps towards institutionalizing GRB. Further, during KWN’s work with Kamenica, best practices to be used in other municipalities were also identified. One of these identified best practices was related to methodology, as KWN noticed that an initial workshop on GRB methodology, coupled with follow up individual mentoring was the best approach.

In the future, KWN seeks to expand its support to other municipalities as well.

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The Kosovo Lobby for Gender Equalitygathered 94 women representatives from politics and civil society from 23 different municipalities of Kosovo. The meeting took part in Durres, Albenia from 17-19 Apr.

Lobby for Gender Equality to Undertake 92 Advocacy Initiatives in 2015

04.05.2015

The Kosovo Lobby for Gender Equalitygathered 94 women representatives from politics and civil society from 23 different municipalities of Kosovo. The meeting took part in Durres, Albenia from 17-19 Apr.

During this meeting, members of the Lobby for Gender Equality divided into groups by municipality to identify three issues on the local level and one issue on national level on which they will advocate together in 2015.

During this three-day meeting, participants also were informed about the National Council on Survivors of Sexual Violence during the War, from Jeta Krasniqi, Political Advisor of the President of the Republic of Kosovo. Krasniqi shared information about the Council’s establishment, work and future steps, including the awareness campaign regarding existing legal mechanisms in support of survivors.

“While we offered rehabilitation to other people affected by the war, we called them heros, we were ashamed by people raped during the war,” said Mrs. Krasniqi. “But women’s organizations stayed behind these women every moment and were their voice. I can say that one of the campaigns that broke the silence was KWN’s campaign for 8 March [2012], Forget Flowers: We want justice for women raped during the war.”

Participants also watched the movie “Three windows and a hanging,” which is being shown as part of a campaign to inform citizens about legal mechanisms that exist in order to support survivors.

During the meeting, the documentary “Levizja e Gruas” (Women’s Movement) also was screened, dedicated for the 20^th anniversary of the women’s movement in Albania.

After the movie, Eglantina Gjermeni, of Minister of Urban Development, in Albania spoke. “I think that women can really succeed when they come together. We have examples from experiences worldwide and in Albania.” She also talked about her career, starting from her experience in civil society and her current life in politics.

This meeting was supported by the Austiran Development Agency.

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30.05.25

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KWN organized a workshop on creating public relations (PR) materials at Innovation Centre Kosovo in Prishtina.

KWN Members Design New PR Materials

04.05.2015

On 30 Apr., KWN organized a workshop on creating public relations (PR) materials at Innovation Centre Kosovo in Prishtina. Participants discussed the importance of preparing PR materials (newsletters, brochures, annual reports, etc.).

Krenar Basha, designer, offered techniques for promoting organizations’ work using minimal expenses. During interactive group work, participants designed their own materials using the Innovation Centres’ computers.

Then, Donjeta Berisha, Public Relations Coordinator at KWN, shared best practices in PR and techniques for using social media networks.

“In our organization we do not publish monthly newsletters, and we are planning to do this very soon. I will be responsible for preparation. Therefore I am very happy I was part of this workshop,” said Fatime Gërxhaliu from Kosova Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims (KRCT). “Now it is clearer for me how to prepare PR materials.”

This workshop was organized as part of the initiative “Strengthening Women-led Civil Society Organizations in Kosovo”, an EU funded project managed by the European Union Office in Kosovo and implemented by KWN.

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Kosova Womenâ€™s Networkâ€™s (KWN) bimonthly membersâ€™ meeting held on April 7.

KWN Members get informed about Economic Empowerment Opportunities

04.05.2015

Women’s economic empowerment was a key theme of the Kosova Women’s Network’s (KWN) bimonthly members’ meeting held on April 7. Several special guests from Kosovo institutions and international agencies joined the meeting, sharing information about their programs, towards women’s economic empowerment in Kosovo. KWN sought to inform members regarding the several opportunities available, so that they could share this information with their communities.

Guests who shared information regarding opportunities for women’s economic empowerment included: Xhemajl Syla from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, that aims empowering women in entrepreneurship, Nystrete Doda Gashi, representing the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, the program for Rural Development and Agriculture that aims raising competitiveness in agriculture and replacing import; creating more jobs; getting closer to EU rules, regulations, standards and policies; protecting environment (by creating garbage spaces and producing renewable energy). Skender Rama USAIDs Empower Private Sector project, that aims increasing competitiveness in growth-ready sectors and facilitate inclusive job creation, while also developing the capacity of local service providers to support the Kosovo private sector. Alida Muhaxhiri from Promoting Private Sector Employment, Swisscontact that mains objectives include, SMEs of the selected sectors increase their productivity and generate additional income and employment; Better organized and empowered SMEs actively influence sector policies and the respective business environment; Barriers for women to access gainful employment are reduced and their decision making power has increased in the sectors in which PPSE operates and Ada Shima from UNDP Active Labor Market programthat main objectives includes self-employment and other programs targeting women.

Afterwards, Igballe Rogova, KWN Executive Director, shared information about the new KWN office, now located at Hajrullah Abdullahu St., no. 25 in Sunny Hill.

Then Nicole Farnsworth, KWN Program Manager, informed participants that KWN is assisting and mentoring different budget organizations on how to implement Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB). She mentioned KWN’s prior work in the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (MLSW) and the Municipality of Kamenica. This year, KWN has begun cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) and the Municipality of Gjakova.

Ms. Farnsworth, also informed participants regarding progress on research on Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment, supported by the Agency for Gender Equality (AGE) and financed by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA).This important research will seek to inform the new Strategy and National Action Plan (NAP) against Domestic Violence, which is planned to be drafted in 2015.

Members also shared information regarding their organizations and activities. In total, 51 people participated, including KWN members, CSO representatives, representatives from donor organizations/institutions, other representatives from Kosovo institutions and KWN supporters.

This meeting was supported byEuropean Union Office in Kosovo.

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Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms

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

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MEST to Utilize Gender Responsive Budgeting

30.03.2015

Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) is a strategy for the inclusion of a gender perspective throughout the budget process. Considering the novelty of institutionalizing GRB in Kosovo, as well as the limited expertise in this field, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), has begun offering mentoring and assistance to various budget organizations on how to implement GRB.

This year, KWN is collaborating with the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MEST) to integrate a gender perspective in MEST budget processes and fiscal policies.

On March 27, KWN held an initial introductory GRB workshop at MEST. In total, 22 participants attended, including heads and directors of various departments and divisions, and budget officers. The opening remarks of the workshop were made by MEST Secretary General Xhavit Dakaj and KWN Executive Director Igballe Rogova.

In his opening remarks, Secretary Xhavit Dakaj expressed his delight in cooperating with KWN, and emphasized the importance of GRB. KWN Executive Director Igballe Rogova stated, “We are very happy to be collaborating with MEST. MEST is considered a leading institution, and we hope that our successful cooperation will set a positive example for other Ministries.”

Following the opening remarks, Donjeta Morina and Nicole Farnsworth held an introductory workshop on GRB. The presentation included the legal framework, definitions, and very practical examples.

“There are two widespread misunderstandings concerning GRB that frequently lead to budget organizations being hesitant towards implementing it,” said Donjeta Morina during the workshop. “These include the belief that GRB is for women only, and that GRB requires additional funds.” She explained why these two assumptions are incorrect.

Finally, the department leaders and budget officers contributed with examples of how gender equality could be furthered within their own departments.

This was only the first step in the process of institutionalizing GRB in MEST. Next week, Coordinator Donjeta Morina will meet with all department leaders individually to gain access to qualitative and quantitative data. The data will be used in a publication to be released later this year with concrete recommendations for the Ministry’s budget documents. A similar process was followed last year with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, supported by GIZ.

This workshop and KWN’s cooperation with MEST is supported by the Austrian Development Agency.

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

30.05.25

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30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women

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National Council Completes Secondary Legislation for Sexual Violence Survivors

30.03.2015

The National Council on Survivors of Sexual Violence during the War held a three-day workshop during which a Government Working Group drafted and finalized the necessary bylaws for recognition and verification of the status of victims of sexual violence during the war.

Representatives of the Office of the President of the Republic of Kosovo, the Legal Office in the Office of the Prime Minister, the Kosovo Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims (KRCT), the Kosovo Women’s Network, and other institutions responsible for implementing this law participated.

The workshop supported the preparation documents that will enable persons who suffered sexual violence during the war to apply for assistance as foreseen by the Law for Status and the Rights of Status and the Rights of Martyrs, Invalids, Veterans, Member of Kosova Liberation Army, Persons Raped during the War and their Families. This included identifying reference mechanisms for the recognition and verification of the status of survivors of sexual violence based on the International Protocol Documentation and Investigation as well as best practices from the region. Under the law, they shall have access to personal pensions among other benefits.

During this workshop, actors emphasized that this process must involve a professional approach that safeguards the dignity of beneficiaries.

The documentation and recommendations resulting from this workshop will support the finalization of bylaws necessary for implementing the aforementioned Law, which states the legal rights of sexual violence survivors. This workshop was supported by the British Embassy.

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms

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

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

30.05.25

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30.05.25

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Kosovo Marks Week of Women 2015

30.03.2015

For the fourth year, the National Democratic Institution (NDI) with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) organized Week of Women. Topics discussed this year included the importance of the rule of law and the role of the law in women’s political and social life.

Women from politics, activists from civil society, media representatives and representatives from public institutions and universities participated.

During the five-day event several topics were discussed: property rights and inheritance; women’s access to property rights; the legal framework and challenges with implementing laws; the role of women in fighting corruption; women in the security sector; and the rehabilitation of survivors of sexual violence perpetrated during the war.

On the last day, panellists on the topic of rehabilitation for survivors of sexual violence informed participants that the President’s National Council on Survivors of Sexual Violence during the War has continued its mandate for another year. Further, more progress was made during the prior year than in the last 15 years on this sensitive issue. Panellists discussed steps taken to ensure the implementation of the law on psycho-social rehabilitation, health and economic empowerment, access to justice and to raise awareness among citizens regarding the rights of survivors of sexual violence perpetrated during the war.

“Unfortunately the exact number of people who suffered sexual violence during the war is unknown, but we think that it is around 20,000,” said Feride Rushiti, Executive Director of the Kosovo Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims (KRCT). She informed participants that this Centre continues to offer help for people who suffered sexual violence during the war, regardless of the age, sex or ethnicity.

“Now we have the support of the law that we requested, and we have an obligation to organize awareness raising campaigns to inform survivors of sexual violence that legal mechanisms exists and they can access them,” said Igballe Rogova, KWN Executive Director and a member of the National Council on Survivors of Sexual Violence during the War. “We have the law’s protection. Now we need justice,” she said.

The Week of Women ended with a ceremony during which the 1,000 participants received certificates.

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

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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

British Embassy, Key Actors Discuss Women’s Economic Empowerment

17.03.2015

In a discussion organized by the British Embassy at Union Café in Prishtina on 5 Mar., several organizations, practitioners, institutions and officials gathered to discuss women’s economic empowerment in Kosovo.
Ariana Qosaj-Mustafa, Chair of the Board, raised several issues on behalf of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) during the meeting. A crucial issue undermining women’s labour market participation is the lack of affordable childcare facilities, which hinders women in particular from entering the workforce due to social norms according to which women should care for children, among other family members. Opening more affordable day care centres could both provide employment opportunities for women and enable more women to work.
Qosaj-Mustafa also emphasized the importance of municipal Economic Development Plans being aligned with the Government’s planned economic development and employment plan. All should include a gender perspective. She expressed concern that drafting the governmental plan in only six months was problematic as the timeframe is very short for proper planning. She also emphasized the importance of setting aside sufficient budget for plans to be implemented and of ensuring gender responsive budgeting within plans.
The Government of Kosovo could take additional proactive measures towards increasing employment among women. For example, implementing a quota in the hiring of women and men under the subventions budget line of the government could contribute to employment among women who currently tend to be under-represented, particularly in decision-making positions, she said. This would be in line with the Law on Gender Equality, which foresees 40% participation of each gender within all institutions and at all levels.
“Relegating women to lower positions or even outside the private sphere transfers to the public sphere,” Qosaj-Mustafa said. “We have seen this in that very few women have been selected to lead ministries, for example. The Law on Gender Equality is not being implemented.”
KWN looks forward to collaborating with institutions and organizations working on women’s economic empowerment and economic development towards ensuring that Kosovo’s particular social, economic and political context are sufficiently considered in planning and implementing programs.

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

New sub-legal act to Serve as Affirmative Action towards Women’s Property Rights

12.03.2015

Yesterday KWN Chair of the Board Ariana Qosaj-Mustafa took part in a discussion on initiating the process of drafting the Administrative Instruction for Registration of Property in the Name of Both Spouses, organized by the Agency for Gender Equality in the Office of the Prime Minister of Kosovo to mark 8 Mar., International Women’s Day. The discussion surrounded an Administrative Instruction that would relieve spouses from taxes and fees affiliated with registering property. The affirmative action would seek to encourage the joint registration of property, which would benefit women in particular.

At present, only 16.5% of property in Kosovo is registered in women’s names and/or as jointly owned property. Women’s significantly unequal ownership of property prevents women from accessing bank loans and hinders their broader economic empowerment.

While the Government of Kosovo will soon be drafting new civil code and the EU-funded Civil and Property Rights Project implemented by GIZ are reviewing the present legal framework related to property rights for existing challenges, this Administrative Instruction is an affirmative measure seeking to serve as a short-term solution to women’s lack of access to property. Such short-term affirmative actions towards furthering gender equality are foreseen in the Law on Gender Equality.

“Usage and the right to own the property remains an important factor for economic empowerment of women,” AGE stated at the start of the event. “Possession or non-possession of property directly affects the possibility of obtaining loans and starting [a] business that would bring sustainable employment and economic stability for women and girls. The property right is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo, as the highest legal act of the country, as well as by the laws in force such as: Law on Gender Equality, Law on Family, Law on Inheritance, Law on Property and the Law against Discrimination.”

Indeed the Law on Gender Equality foresees the possibility of taking special measures, including interim affirmative measures, in order to further women’s rights. In this case, the Administrative Instruction would serve as a temporary measure to stimulate and offer opportunities for registering property in women’s names, as co-owners of immobile property.

“This is the sort of affirmative measure foreseen by the Law on Gender Equality that KWN has been waiting for,” said Qosaj-Mustafa. “KWN supports the Administrative Instruction, which can contribute to women’s access to credit and women’s economic empowerment. Women’s access to property will contribute to better suited women in families, wealthier families and economic development.”

While AGE has considered that the time period for this Administrative Instruction would be three months, KWN requested that it last at least one year in order to be implementable. “The measure would need to be accompanied by awareness-raising about the Instructio and other steps that take time,” Qosaj-Mustafa said.

KWN also has emphasized that the Administrative Instruction should also waive fees for single women to register property (not only couples), as they too lack opportunities and should not be discriminated against due to their marital status.

AGE will initiate the process of drafting the Administrative Instruction shortly, and KWN hopes to continue its involvement in this process.

Other speakers at the discussion included AGE Chief Executive Officer Edona Hajrullahu, AGE Chief of the Division for Legislation Leonora Selmani, Chair of the Parliamentary Commission on Human Rights, Gender Equality, Missing Persons and Petitions Lirije Kajtazi, Chief Executive Officer of the Kosovo Cadastral Agency Murat Meha and Sefedin Blakaj, Notary.

18.06.25