Thinking of You: #donateaskirt

Thinking of You: #donateaskirt

01.06.2015

 Since May 9, the National Council for the Survivors of Sexual Violence during the War has organized several activities to contribute to the artistic installation “Thinking of you” by artist Alketa Xhafa-Mripa, which is dedicated to women survivors of sexual violence perpetrated during the war. Activities for collecting skirts for this exhibition were organized throughout Kosovo and will continue through 6 June. Locations where skirts can be donated include:

o   Gjakova: at the offices ofMedica Gjakova and Medica Kosova Monday-Friday 08:00-17:00;
o   Peja: European College Dukagjini: Monday-Saturday 09:00-17:00;
o   Ferizaj: INPO, fourth floor (Orchidee), Monday-Friday 09:00 – 17:00;
o   Prizren: Lumbardhi Cinema – 24/7, Dokufest Offices, Centre Europa, EC Ma Ndryshe, Monday-Friday 09:00-17:00;
o   Drenas: The Centre for Promotion of Women’s Rights, Monday-Friday 08:00-16:00
o   Mitrovica: CBM (Community Building Mitrovica) Monday-Friday 08:00-16:00.
 
All citizens are invited to bring dresses or skirts for this installation. 

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Partners Kosova Informs Women about Their Right to Property and Inheritance

Partners Kosova Informs Women about Their Right to Property and Inheritance

01.06.2015

With support from the Kosovo Women’s Fund, in 2014 Partners Kosova undertook an initiative to inform women from the municipalities of Drenas, Skenderaj, Lipjan and Ferizaj about how they can advocate for their rights to property and inheritance. Based on this successful initiative and the great interest shown by women, Partners Kosova continued with a similar initiative in 2015. They received continued support from the Kosovo Women’s Fund in the amount €2,390.
    This year the organization is focusing on Malisheva and Rahovec. In the first meeting, held on 29 May, involved 17 women from Malisheva, representatives from KWN and OSCE. The meeting focused on “Women’s rights to property and inheritance, and relevant guidelines for women advocating to Kosovo institutions for their rights.”
In order to make the meeting more interactive, internationally licensed trainers from Partners Kosova, Selvije Rashani and Hilmije Ramabaja, engaged in a discussion with participants. They asked questions related to property and inheritance, providing evidence from various pieces of research on this topic.
    Participants demonstrated great interest in issues related to property and marriage, including in extramarital cases. They offered examples from their personal experiences regarding the division of property between spouses and their children. In almost all cases, men or boys within their families received the property or inheritance. One of the main obstacles mentioned, they said, was the mentality and social norms that prevail, despite the existence of laws on property and inheritance.
“I would suggest that children in school need to learn about equal opportunities between women and men for property and inheritance. This could be included in the subject of civic education. This way we can raise awareness at an early stage of life, so that we can create a culture of equal rights,” said Fatime Limaj, one of the participants.
    The trainers also discussed with participants the existing laws in Kosovo related to property and inheritance and how they can advocate for their rights. They discussed organizing a meeting with officers from relevant institutions, including representatives of courts, cadastral offices, notaries and mediators. During this meeting with officials that will be organized by Partners Kosova, women participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and advocate directly to officials for their right to property and inheritance. Before this event, Partners Kosova plans to organize another meeting with participants to prepare issues related to property and inheritance for which they will advocate.
This initiative is supported by the Office of the European Union in Kosovo via the KWN Kosovo Women’s Fund. 

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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 20th 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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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 Women’s Network’s (KWN) bimonthly members’ 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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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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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.
 

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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. 

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