KWN Board Concludes Final Meeting for 2023

27.12.2023

The Executive Board of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), along with the KWN management team, concluded the year with their final meeting for 2023. This marked the third consecutive meeting, held online on November 17.

During the meeting, the Board received and approved the narrative report on the implementation of the KWN Strategy programs for 2023-2026 and the financial report. Various significant issues were discussed, covering challenges, achievements, advocacy, meetings, and fundraising for the future.

Considering the postponement of the Annual Assembly of Members, typically held in December, to the first months of 2024 due to changes in the Statute of the KWN and in accordance with the revised Law on Freedom of Association in Non-Governmental Organizations, the board made the following decisions:

1) The mandate of the current board members will last until the next Annual Assembly, at which new members will be elected for those whose mandate is transferred;

2)The final meeting of the Board, where KWN reports for the last part of the year, will be postponed to the beginning of the next year when all information is complete.

During this two-hour meeting, Board members made invaluable contributions, consistently providing support and offering ideas to overcome any challenges that arose. They also took the opportunity to express their appreciation for the collective achievements over the years. To further explore and develop the many ideas discussed, the Board, in collaboration with the KWN, decided to organize a retreat in 2024.

Emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability for optimal organizational functioning, KWN remains committed to reporting to the Assembly of Members annually and to the Executive Board as an intermediary and crucial body. The organization extends its gratitude to everyone for their continuous cooperation and unwavering support, contributing to the advancement of women’s rights and gender equality in Kosovo and beyond.

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 

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Rogova Re-elected as Member of NATO Civil Society Advisory Panel (CSAP)

18.12.2023

The NATO Civil Society Advisory Panel (CSAP) on Women, Peace and Security has invited KWN Executive Director Igballe Rogova to rejoin this prestigious Panel.

This comes five years after Rogova completed her term as a panel member from 2016 to 2018 on the first CSAP ever established.

The invitation signals international recognition of Rogova’s expertise and extensive experience with the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, as well as her valuable insight in supporting NATO to improve its implementation of this Agenda.

Rogova through this advisory panel will be advising NATO on its operations around the world drawing on her experience of over two decades in monitoring the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security in Kosovo.

The new mandate of the panel commences in 2023 and extends until 2026. The first meeting took place today, Dec. 18, via Zoom, while the upcoming second meeting is scheduled to be held at NATO headquarters in Brussels in January.

Rogova raised several key issues there in the past and looks forward to continuing to contribute.

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 

Funding Struggles: A Persistent Challenge for Women’s Rights Advocacy Organizations

14.12.2023

“Djepi i Buzëqeshjes” is one of the organizations that has closed due to a lack of funds, while dozens of others advocating in the field of women’s and girls’ rights in Kosovo face financial resource shortages. There are nearly 200 non-governmental organizations focusing on women’s and girls’ rights in Kosovo, struggling with insufficient financial means to carry out their activities.

“Djepi i Buzëqeshjes” has collaborated with the organization “Medica Kosova,” aiming to alleviate the traumatic symptoms caused by war, especially among victims of violence, and facilitate their integration into social and public life.

According to Veprore Shehu from “Medica Kosova,” this organization is also grappling with funding problems.

“This year, in February, we completed three very large projects simultaneously. We regret that it seems overlooked that we in Gjakova will cover our expenses,” said Shehu.

She also mentioned that they had a project with central institutions, where for five consecutive years, they received a certain amount of money to develop their activities. However, this project has also been completed.

“We have also concluded the project with central institutions; for five years, we received a sum of money for the support of survivors of sexual violence during the war. We are waiting for the deadline to be extended, and now we are waiting for an answer,” she said.

She mentions that they are waiting to be relicensed to continue with applications for other projects. The licensing process, Shehu says, is a challenge in itself.

“This process has been accelerated by the institutions, posing a challenge in itself as we require the license on time to proceed with the application for projects,” she added. Shehu further stated that foreign donations have already begun to shift their focus to other countries, presenting a challenge in receiving donations from abroad.

Shehu stated that it is the responsibility of the state to engage in this matter. Even the non-governmental organization “4 Change” has not been active for several years. This organization, focused on the empowerment of equal rights, closed due to financial and other issues.

Alba Hajdini, the former leader of this NGO in Pristina, explained that insufficient funds were a primary factor leading to the organization’s closure. “We didn’t have a lot of finance. This had the effect that when you don’t have sufficient resources to dedicate time to an NGO, treating it as a priority, then opportunities and conditions diminish,” says Hajdini.

She further adds that money was not the only problem; the limited time they could devote to the organization has rendered this NGO inactive.

“Now, even the members do not have much time left; it was not a primary focus for us as an NGO,” she continues. Shemsie Seferi, leader of the “Association for the Emancipation of Women – Alma” in Peja, states that the lack of funds is jeopardizing the organization’s continuity. She explains that the organization she leads is currently not fully active due to the challenges they are facing.

“The NGO is not fully active at the moment; we are dealing with problems related to the office. We don’t have funds to pay rent, etc.,” says Seferi. “Funding issues can indeed lead to the closure of the organization,” she adds. To overcome these problems, Seferi emphasizes that they have only one solution: sufficient funds.

She even adds that this applies not only to the organization she leads but to many other non-governmental organizations aiming to strengthen gender equality.

“In the future, for NGOs to remain active, they need stable financial support,” said Seferi. Another problem she highlights is the challenge they face in winning projects, noting that projects are typically secured by larger NGOs.

The allocated amount for NGO support in 2022 is 1 million euros, earmarked for non-governmental organizations with a primary mission focused on women’s rights.

From May 2022 to February 2023, the funds allocated for financial support to these organizations have increased by 500 thousand euros. According to the Ministry of Justice, for the first four months of this year, the Government has additionally allocated another 500 thousand euros.

“For the year 2023, the Government of Kosovo has provided support to legal entities, namely NGOs, in the amount of 500 thousand euros for the period of January-April. The Ministry of Defense is currently in the process of allocating financial support in the amount of 1 million and 500 thousand euros for the period from May to December 2023, extending to February 2024,” as stated in the responses of the Ministry of Defense to KALLXO.com.

According to the provided information, at the beginning of this year, the Ministry of Justice incorporated the Department for Social Services Policy into its composition. Until December 2022, this department operated within the Ministry of Finance. The Ministry of Defense stated that, in line with its responsibilities, it initiated a call for subsidizing NGOs offering social and family services to citizens in social need.

Additionally, the Ministry revealed that in the past year, the Ministry of Finance financially supported organizations with an amount totaling 1 million euros.

According to the information obtained by KALLXO.com, of the 1 million euros allocated, 400,000 euros have been assigned to shelters in Kosovo, and an additional 600,000 euros to NGOs providing social and family services. The data released by the ministry revealed that this monetary support benefited a total of 44 legal entities in 2022. Among them, ten were shelters, and 34 were other non-governmental organizations.

On October 3, 2023, the Ministry of Justice entered into contracts to subsidize four organizations for social services, with a total amount of 65,000 euros. The organizations receiving this subsidy include the National Association of Autism in Kosovo, HandiKOS-Gjakovë, AUTIZMI, and the humanitarian association of parents with mental disabilities “Hadër.”

In January of this year, a total of 10 shelters and 31 other licensed civil society organizations providing social and family services benefited from a sum of 1,435,000 euros. The allocated budget for family social services stands at 1.5 million euros, aiming to enhance capacities and social services across the Republic of Kosovo.

In 2012, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) established the Kosovo Women’s Fund in response to shifting aid priorities and reduced budgets, leading many donors in Kosovo to close grant programs or decrease funding to non-governmental organizations. The Kosovo Women’s Fund of KWN, provides small grants to women’s organizations that lack access to other funding sources and are committed to advocating for women’s rights, particularly among groups in rural areas or marginalized communities. This special fund not only offers financial support but also provides opportunities for capacity development for beneficiary organizations, as well as those applying for grants.

According to data from the Kosovo Women’s Network, the transparent, efficient, effective, and proven systems and procedures of sub-granting within this fund have resulted in the administration of 289 grants to 153 Civil Society Organizations since its establishment.

The cumulative value of these grants amounts to a total of 1,771,249 euros.

This publication was made possible with the financial support of the European Union Office in Kosovo through the initiative of the Kosovo Women’s Network, “Enhancing the Capacities and Resilience of CSO’s: Furthering Gender Equality Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Its content is the responsibility of Internews Kosova and does not necessarily reflect the views of 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 

Qamile Jaka: The First Albanian Dentist in Kosovo, Who Laid the Foundations of the Department of Dentistry at UP

12.12.2023

“If we fail to make future generations more knowledgeable and capable than ourselves, then we have failed.”

Dr. Qamile Jaka, the first Albanian dentist in Kosovo, worked tirelessly to bring this statement of hers to life.

She became a source of inspiration and determination for new generations of dentists in Kosovo. While in her childhood and youth, education was a challenge in itself, Qamile Jaka, a girl born in Tropoja, attended primary and secondary school in Gjakova.

She entered the history of Kosovo by becoming the first Albanian dentist to return to her homeland after completing her studies at the University of Belgrade. In the 60s, when she finished her studies, Kosovo had no dentists.

The first Albanian dentist in Kosovo was Xhevat Rizvanolli, and the first Albanian dentist in Kosovo is Dr. Qamile Jaka, who made an important contribution. In addition to practicing the profession, she also developed dentistry, emphasizing its value among the people and enabling the youth of that time to be determined for this profession,” said Dr. Hasan Mehmeti, in an interview with a Kosovar media outlet, while discussing the beginnings of dentistry in Kosovo.

Together with colleagues who had just completed dentistry in the universities of the former Yugoslavia, Qamile Jaka laid the foundations of the Department of Dentistry. At the same time, she made significant efforts to raise awareness among the population about the importance of dental health.

Qamile Jaka specialized in the field of “orthopedic jaws” and completed her postgraduate studies at the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Belgrade, where she defended her master’s degree. She defended her doctoral thesis in 1986 at the University of Pristina.

Since 1980, she worked in the Department of Dentistry at the Faculty of Medicine, initially as an assistant, and later as a professor teaching the subject ‘Orthopedics of the Jaws.’ Throughout her tenure, she actively participated in various roles, serving as a delegate of the Central Council of Workers at the Faculty of Medicine, a member of the Secretariat of the Association of Dentists, and a member of the Commission for Health Activities and Specializations at the Faculty of Medicine.

Later, in 1991, she was dismissed by the then Serbian regime. She is the author and co-author of over 70 professional scientific papers presented at congresses and symposia and published in professional scientific journals. Posthumously, she was honored with the ‘Honor of Kosovar Dentistry’ decoration by the Chamber of Dentists of Kosovo.

This decoration is awarded to dentists who honor the dental community, both domestically and internationally, through their achievements and reputation. It is bestowed upon individuals with outstanding and high-quality contributions to the field of dentistry, with a demonstrated commitment to future excellence. Recipients are recognized for their notable professional and scientific activities, both within and, notably, outside the territory of the Republic of Kosovo. The award is reserved for those who have made exceptional contributions and demonstrated special merits in the field of dentistry. Qamile Jaka was born in 1948 in Tropoja and passed away in 2007.

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 

Ura Sociale organizes a concluding event on teaching methods

11.12.2023

The member organization of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), Ura Sociale in Vushtrri, hosted its sixth consecutive event as part of the project “Promotion of Quality Education and the Transformation of Traditional Gender Norms.” During this activity, the organization presented the findings from the observation of several classes in the “Lutfi Musiqi” and “Bahri Haxha” secondary schools. These findings were shared with teachers, school principals, and relevant individuals from the Directorate of Education in the Municipality of Vushtrri. The primary objective of this meeting was to engage in advocacy and discuss various teaching methods.

Jehona Jashari, a trainer, emphasized the critical need for the training in Vushtrri on this subject, citing numerous inquiries from both teachers and school directors regarding the research conducted by the Ura Sociale organization.

“In the research, we identified deficiencies in both teaching materials and the activities conducted in the classroom to address or promote gender equality, stereotypes, and gender-based violence in schools. Therefore, we believe that advocacy meetings, along with training sessions, would be instrumental in addressing the issues within the relevant institutions, particularly the Directorate of Education in the Municipality of Vushtrri,” she explained.

Zehra Kovaci, a biology teacher at “Bahri Haxha” school in Vushtrri, views these gatherings with teachers and school principals as valuable opportunities to conduct diverse activities that contribute to disseminating information on specific issues.

“I believe that in every conceivable scenario, additional training is beneficial for everyone in acquiring information. In vocational schools, the field of biology often lacks sexual education and concepts related to gender equality. However, inclusiveness is well addressed in textbooks. It’s worth noting that, as a foundational subject, the students I teach already possess above-average knowledge,” stated Kovaci.

Mergime Jashari, the director of the Ura Sociale organization, noted that this activity marked the sixth consecutive one and also served as the concluding event. The research was conducted in classes with the theme “Promotion of Quality Education and the Transformation of Traditional Gender Norms.”

“During the activity, we engaged with approximately 300 students from two vocational secondary schools in Vushtrri. We held meetings in the classes that were previously selected for observation. The goal was to assess inclusiveness, the promotion of gender equality, and the presence of stereotypes related to gender-based violence, family planning, and reproductive health. While most cases demonstrated full inclusion, there was a percentage where teachers lacked sufficient information on these topics to effectively explain them to the students. I believe this gap occurred due to a lack of comprehensive training.”

Ura Sociale 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).

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 

Twenty years of work by KWN to fight gender-based violence

07.12.2023

On December 6, during the Regional Conference “United against violence – enough!” organized by the Office of the President of the Republic of Kosovo and the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kosovo, Adelina Berisha, Manager of the Program for Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), participated in the discussion panel titled “The role of civil society in advocacy and policy-making in the field of violence against women and domestic violence.”

In her speech, Mrs. Berisha mentioned some of the successes of the KWN since the post-war period in terms of combating gender-based violence. Read her speech at this conference below:

“It is a pleasure today to share this panel with all these activist sisters from the region from whom we have had the good fortune to learn a lot. I believe that each of us is a living archive and has a history of activism in our countries. My archive starts with documents from 2007, when I became part of the Kosovo Women’s Network, and I think that for these years, I have enough successes to share, but there is not enough time.

Being a membership-based organization with 144 member organizations from all regions of Kosovo, representing all ethnicities, regardless of sexual orientation, faith, etc., we have had the good fortune to draw the reality and problems of women directly from the field. We foster collaboration between grassroots and think tanks, which has aided us in comprehending the challenges emerging from the field and strategizing on how to influence policies.

Women’s organizations were founded out of necessity, not because they had projects or budgets, but because women knocked on these women’s doors and asked for support. It started with sexual violence during the war, and from 1999, we began creating mechanisms to address violence against women. This effort continued in the post-war period by advancing policies and also by asserting the importance of women in the creation of policies, state-building, and achieving gender equality. Shelters and centers that have provided services to victims of sexual violence are all members of the Network, and together with the Network, we first overcame the stigma.

We were the first to bring these issues to the public sphere and make them known to the citizens, but also to the politicians, who at different times did not want to listen to us or believe us.

However, as the Network, we have always aimed to advocate based on facts. In 2008, we conducted the first research as the initial organization to assess the extent of domestic violence in Kosovo, with the purpose of alerting our institutions to the existence of this problem and urging them to take the necessary steps to address it as soon as possible.

I am talking about a period when Kosovo was not yet a state and was operating under UNMIK regulations. This research served as the basis for the immediate initiation of the drafting of the first Law on Protection from Domestic Violence, which was approved in 2010 and remained in effect until September of this year when it was revised and changed. Following the enactment of this law, our efforts influenced the drafting of the strategy and the first action plan for the period 2011-2015, followed by two subsequent strategies, including the current one, which now incorporates approximately 70 percent of KWN’s recommendations.

We are consistently part of all working groups during the drafting of any law related to gender equality, including legislation addressing gender-based violence.

In 2012, we conducted an analysis titled “At What Price?!” to examine the costs to the state for preventing violence. I believe this research remains relevant today and can still be utilized by our institutions to understand how a more efficient focus on prevention would be economically advantageous compared to the costs of treatment and rehabilitation for the state of Kosovo.

We conducted the first research and initiated the first campaign to bring sexual harassment into the public spotlight. We were on the ground, witnessing our girls suffering from sexual harassment, yet no one was addressing this issue.

That’s why we launched the “Take Back the Night” campaign in 2014, four to five years before the #MeToo Movement gained global prominence. In Kosovo, we were already aware of the problem of sexual harassment and how many women and girls were affected by this phenomenon.
This campaign was succeeded by the first research on Sexual Harassment in Kosovo, initiated in 2016. We approach every initiative strategically, conducting research to expose and highlight the prevalent forms of violence in society. Our goal is to advocate for and integrate the Istanbul Convention into the Constitution of Kosovo. Therefore, when this phase arrives, there can be no denial that these problems exist in our society. We strive to substantiate our claims with facts, conducting research involving both women and men citizens of Kosovo, with representative samples exceeding 1300 surveyed individuals.

After conducting research on sexual harassment, our focus shifted to addressing legislation. If you recall, around 2018, efforts commenced to amend the Criminal Code. Several donors opposed our proposals for the inclusion of domestic violence, sexual harassment, female genital mutilation, and persecution—offenses mandated by the Istanbul Convention. At that time, the Istanbul Convention was not yet part of the Kosovo Constitution. Despite objections, we took the lead in this process, collaborating with working groups. Eventually, we succeeded in convincing stakeholders, and now all these offenses are recognized as criminal offenses in the Criminal Code of Kosovo.

Following this step, we implemented a strategy that broadened to encompass all forms of violence, even before the inclusion of the Istanbul Convention in the Constitution. We were already in the process of advocating for the Convention, and as of 2020, it became an integral part of the Constitution of Kosovo. Without modesty, I can assert that this achievement is a direct contribution from women’s organizations and feminist activists.

Since 2018, we have successfully overcome the challenge of funding for shelters. Historically, shelters faced financial support challenges from the state, which is obligated to provide support as it purchases services from these organizations. In 2018, we achieved the establishment of a dedicated line in the Kosovo Budget – the Hotline for Basic Services for Shelters. Although there are some issues with the line not directly reaching shelters, other organizations also benefit from it. Nevertheless, this represents a success that we proudly acknowledge. Since then, the budget has experienced annual increases, and we remain hopeful that it will align with the needs of the shelters.

Recently, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and with the support of UN Women through EU funds, we have developed the first Protocol in Kosovo for the treatment of cases of Sexual Violence. Additionally, alongside Ariana, we have created two modules for the treatment of domestic violence, sexual violence, and trafficking, which are mandatory for social workers. This Monday, we achieved the certification of the first trainers who will disseminate this knowledge to other social workers working with victims of gender-based violence.

We consistently submit recommendations for drafting budgets based on identified needs. In our latest efforts, we emphasized the importance of the Municipality increasing the number of social workers. Our expectation is that this initiative will translate into a practical increase in the number of social workers in centers, ensuring that a greater number of professionals are available to assist victims. Simultaneously, we’ve advocated for an augmentation in the number of defenders for victims in cases of gender-based violence.

While traditionally, we have not been an organization providing services, the pressing need became evident as we witnessed women seeking support at the doors of institutions. Responding to this, we engaged a lawyer to assist women with counseling, referrals, and representation in courts. Our objective is to ensure that women receive the necessary legal support. We regret that our presence is essential for more efficient case handling; ideally, our institutions should treat these cases with the dignity they deserve and as mandated by the law. Nevertheless, our involvement has proven to enhance the overall efficiency in dealing with such cases.

Addressing violence is not a one-dimensional effort; we adopt a multi-sectoral approach. We actively participate in working groups shaping education curricula, aiming to influence the transformation of social norms, which are significant barriers to combating violence. Unfortunately, citizens who tolerate violence are also employees of institutions, and recognizing this interconnectedness, we extend our recommendations to the Labor Law.

Our comprehensive approach aims to tackle violence from various angles. Today, I want to convey the message that each citizen has a role in the fight against violence. Violence is not a private matter, and only through active engagement and becoming advocates for victims can we effectively combat it. I extend a call to men for self-reflection and self-critique, emphasizing the importance of taking measures to change behavior and actions. This is crucial for achieving equality between women and men.”

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 Launches the Assessment Report: Gender Mainstreaming the EU Accession

06.12.2023

On December 5, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) released the Assessment Report for Kosovo: Gender Mainstreaming of the European Union (EU) Accession.

Considering that the Government of Kosovo and the EU have made several commitments to advance gender equality as part of the EU membership process, and relying on official policy indicators and a common methodology throughout the Western Balkan region (WB), this report monitors and reports on the progress made in advancing gender equality within key processes related to EU membership and political dialogue in 2022. The summarized findings and recommendations aim to offer government officials and EU representatives reflections on improving the inclusion of the gender perspective within these processes.

The summarized findings and recommendations aim to provide government and EU officials with reflections on enhancing the inclusion of a gender perspective within these processes.

The same aims to inform women’s civil society organizations (WCSOs) for a more gender-transformative approach in their advocacy initiatives regarding the EU membership process.

Overall, the KWN report found that the Government of Kosovo and the EU have significantly improved the degree to which they have included gender in the EU Membership process, showing an increase of about 31% compared to 2021. In relation to some of the measuring indicators, when compared to other WP countries, Kosovo has the most inclusive approach of civil society in the EU membership process. However, there are still opportunities for further improvements.

“We greatly appreciate the exercise of the accountability regarding the inclusion of gender in the 2023 EC Kosovo Report,” the EU Office in Kosovo commented regarding the publication of this report.

“Each year, we see improvement in addressing the needs of women and girls, and we also recognize that efforts must be expanded in several other areas. The EU will continue to be committed to the advancement of gender equality in all policies in close cooperation with all interested parties.”

Valmira Rashiti, co-author of this report and Officer for the Integration of the Gender Perspective at KWN, presented some of the following findings during the launch:

  • Raising the inclusion of the gender perspective in the report of the EC on Kosovo for the year 2022 and the lack of closer consultation of the government and the EU with WCSO’s on their priorities were highlighted;
  • The lack of regular and structured dialogue between the EU office in Kosovo and WCSO’s to discuss their perspectives on political developments was noted;
  • Additionally, the moderate level of involvement of WCSO’s, especially those from the local level, in the process of political dialogue and the structures of the Stabilization Association Agreement (SAA) was highlighted, with emphasis within the Sub-Committees and Committees of the SAA;
  • The moderate level of gender inclusion in SAA meetings and the potential to enhance governmental transparency by publishing agendas and conclusions of SAA meetings between the government and the EU;
  • To reach a diverse audience, including women and men, as well as civil society organizations; and
  • The low level of implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Security, and Peace by both the EU and the government of Kosovo.

From an institutional perspective, Artan Çollaku from the Office of Coordination of Stabilization and Association Process, Office of the Prime Minister, stated:

“Based on the experience thus far in coordinating planning and monitoring for EU integration since the entry into force of the SAA, we can observe an improvement in cooperation with civil society for the integration of the gender perspective in the planning framework for this process.”

The public administration has better understood the importance and relevance of the gender perspective for this process, and some improvements have been made in the implementation of certain priority chapters of the membership negotiations, such as Chapter 23 [on Justice and Fundamental Freedoms] or Chapter 20 [on Entrepreneurship and Industrial Policies].”

KWN agrees with this and reiterates that Kosovo is considered a positive example in the region.

However, Luljeta Demolli from the Kosovo Center for Gender Studies and Vetone Veliu from the Mitrovica Women’s Association for Human Rights emphasized the urgent need for the inclusion of more women in political dialogue structures, with a focus on women at the local level. This includes incorporating their priorities and challenges into political agendas.

The key recommendations of this report are as follows:

For the government of Kosovo:

  • To ensure consistency in the collection and regular publication of gender-separated data, in accordance with the Law on Gender Equality, to inform reforms within the EU membership process;
  • Rethink the necessary organization and consultation with WSCOs and their inclusion in European integration structures;
  • Prioritize receiving and consulting their contributions regarding the meetings of the SAA structures;
  • Also, examine the possibility of publishing the agendas and conclusions from the meetings of the SAA structures;
  • Consider involving WSCO’s experts in consultations and working groups from the early stages of drafting policies and sectoral documents (before formal public consultations) to ensure that attention to gender equality is integrated from the outset;
  • This helps avoid any structural or systemic obstacles and ensures sufficient attention to gender equality in public policies;
  • Aim to improve the capacities of gender equality officials, engaging them in policy-making processes through working groups, with the goal of integrating the gender perspective into policies emerging from the EU membership process.

For the European Union in Kosovo:

  • To continue organizing necessary consultations with various WSCO’s entities and integrate their contributions into the European Commission’s Report on Kosovo;
  • Emphasize cooperation and the development of strategies with OSHCG networks to increase consultations with diverse women and men, including those at the local level, persons with disabilities, and individuals from different ethnicities;
  • To further enhance attention to gender equality in the political dialogue with the Government of Kosovo, including the Agency for Gender Equality and gender equality mechanisms within the dialogue structures;
  • To hold regular meetings between the Head of the EU Office in Kosovo/EU Special Representative and various WCSOs related to issues of gender equality and women’s rights, as well as those related to political developments in general, in compliance with EU commitments within Resolution 1325 and Gender Action Plan III;
  • Take immediate steps to ensure the improved and regular involvement of various WSCO’s in the Prishtina-Belgrade Dialogue, including regular consultations, according to Resolution 1325;
  • To ensure the implementation and monitoring of the Gender Action Plan at the country level, in close consultation with WSCO’s;

In addition to the aforementioned individuals, other participants in the panel was Monika Gajowy from the Section for European Integration, Policy, Information, and Press at the Office of the European Union in Kosovo, and Reyes Charle Cuellar, Adviser on Gender Issues at the Special Representative of the European Union.

Meanwhile, Nicole Farnsworth, co-author and Director of the Research Program, has moderated the panel.

KWN has compiled this policy brief using the methodology developed by partner organizations of the Coalition for the Advancement of Gender Equality through the EU Accession Process (EQUAPRO) as part of our joint initiative “Strengthening Gender Equality through the EU Accession Process,” co-financed by the European Commission and Sweden. You can watch the launching event here and the the full report here.

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 

The Access of Women and Girls from the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian Communities to Health Services Is Insufficient

05.12.2023

The member organization of the Kosovo Women’s Network, “EcoKosWomen” (EKW), held a roundtable titled “The Right to Quality Health Care.” This roundtable aimed to advocate to local institutions for improving access to quality health care for Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian women, as well as addressing the problems and challenges encountered during their access to primary health care.

Qendresa Ademi from the Roma community, a Municipal Assembly member in Fushë Kosova, stated that access to quality health services among the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities continues to remain discriminatory. However, she mentioned that over the years, there has been improvement. “I have talked with women since I represented them in the Municipal Assembly, and the current situation of women and girls in access to health remains difficult, mainly due to economic conditions.”

“The approach of the gynecologist is lame because there is the biggest discrimination. This is a result of severe economic conditions, lack of access to drinking water, and women’s check-ups are often not carried out because the doctors themselves have shown an aggressive approach to women, telling them that they should be cleaner. Difficulties usually occur in the absence of a doctor in the neighborhood, they don’t have organized transportation, so access becomes difficult,” she said.

Nita Ferizi Sadiku, the researcher of the project, stated that the research findings indicate that women from the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities lack information about the primary health care available at the main center of family medicine. Consequently, in the absence of this information, they are often directed towards tertiary care or even private clinics. This situation is concerning, given the absence of information about specialist gynecologists and pediatricians, which has been requested by the communities as they perceive it as necessary.

“Regarding violations of the right to healthcare, approximately 60 percent of the respondents state that they lack awareness of these violations or are uncertain about how to report them, including a lack of knowledge about the rights granted to them by law,” she said.

Remzi Shala, the head of the Family Medicine Center in Fushë Kosovë and a participant in the round table, expressed his perspective on health services, stating, “I believe that we have endeavored to be inclusive and equitable in providing quality health services accessible to this specific category, with a particular emphasis on Fushë Kosovo.”

“I personally advocated in the Municipal Assembly to ensure no distinctions in the provision of health services, as they are mandatory and must be equal. I believe the services provided are equitable. We have given special attention to vaccination and palliative care, and I think we should do even more, considering that the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities face the most challenging economic conditions. In the municipality of Fushë Kosova, we feel positive because there is no division in the provision of health services. Communities are accepted with equal rights,” he said.

This roundtable is organized within the project “Promotion of health care – a necessary part of life.”

The organization “EcoKosWomen” 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).

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 Demands a Fair Approach to Solving the Murder of Liridona Murseli

01.12.2023

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The Kosovo Women’s Network expresses its concern that another case of the murder of a woman is suspected to be femicide.

After the news about the arrest of the husband of the victim Liridona Murseli, killed on November 29 in the village of Sinidoll, near Pristina, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) demands that the investigation of this case be treated with urgency and a fair approach to clarify this tragedy.

KWN requests from the institutions that the case be classified as ‘Serious Murder’ and that the perpetrators be sentenced in accordance with the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kosovo.

We urge the Center for Social Work to commit to ensuring the well-being of children. KWN demands an exhaustive investigation of this case, pursuing every piece of evidence, and also calls for the maximum punishment for the accused. Additionally, KWN will monitor the institutional response to this case and to all incidents of gender-based violence.

KWN remains open to cooperation and assistance for victims of gender-based violence through the provision of free legal counseling and referrals to relevant institutions. If you require free legal assistance in cases of gender-based violence or know someone who does, please contact us at the following number: 048 105 800.”

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 part of the Kosovar Delegation throughout the Annual EU Advocacy Week

30.11.2023

As of 13 to 18 November, KWN actively participated in the EU Advocacy Week, which is organised and supported annually by Kvinna Till Kvinna.

KWN joined forces with the Kosovar Gender Studies Center (KGSC) and Mitrovica Women Association for Human Rights (MWAHR) to advocate for the priorities of diverse women and men, girls and boys, in relevance to the current Kosovo-EU enlargement talks.

More specifically, the Kosovar WCSOs delegation advocated strongly for better gender mainstreaming of security issues and the reconsideration of the EU imposed measures throughout Kosovo, given that there was lack of gender analysis to inform the measures decision.

Further, the delegation touched upon other significant topics, such as the gender mainstreaming of the European Commission Country Reports, specifically in relation to gender based violence and Rule of Law, requesting for a stronger language and increased collaboration with WCSOs to inform yearly input for the EC Reports.

Amid many meetings, KWN would like to emphasize as most fruitful, the meetings which

Irene Ceccanti, Administrative and Policy assistant at DG NEAR; Coordinator – Gender Equality and Rights of the Child and Chloe Laurens Dinsdale, Team Leader Human Rights and Civil Society Gender Mainstreaming in EU Accession Processes, in the enlargement package and GAPIII, where KWN informed the two officials on the findings of the latest commentary which KWN prepared in relation to the EC Kosovo 2023 Report.

Further, and focused in more detail on the situation in Rule of Law, KWN met Kosovo Desk Officer – Vivien Savoye, Rule of Law Desk, Kosovo as well as Giulio Crespi, Gender Focal Point, European Commission, where KWN, KGSC and MWAHR shared their concerns related to many significant laws pertaining the wellbeing of women which remain pending and unadopted from the government.

Whereas on the meeting with Djordje Bojovic, Western Balkans Advisor, Office of Viola von Cramon MEP, KWN and MWAHR reiterated the need to include more women in the political dialogue and in consulting them closely, especially in relation to the latest violence events in the north of Kosovo.

KWN also emphasizes the importance of the launching report of the “Women’s Rights in the Western Balkans” report, with data collected and consolidated by Kvinna Till Kvinna, in close consultation with WCSOs from the region, including KWN.

KWN continues to monitor EU Accession from a gender perspective.

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