Today the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) launched its new Strategy for 2015-2018. The audience included KWN members, police, officials from the judiciary, officers for gender equality, international partners and representatives from the KWN Board of Directors, among others.
“The Kosovo Women’s Network is a reflection of emancipated women in our society, an example and an inspiration for future generations,” said the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga in her video message.
While mentioning KWN’s current work, Edona Hajrullahu, Chief Executive Officer of the Agency for Gender Equality in the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo expressed her readiness to continue cooperation in the future.
“From their very cooperative and inclusive approach, KWN is one of the most powerful networks in the region,”
said Hajrullahu. “With KWN we have worked very closely and will continue in the future, towards addressing issues that are a priority for women and girls.”
During this event, Christian Geosits from the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) also announced officially that ADA will continue its support for KWN for the next three years. Further, for the first time KWN will receive financial support from the European Union Office in Kosovo, for two years. Support from ADA and the EU will be crucial for KWN in implementing its new strategy.
“Strategies are not written to stay on paper; only we together are able to transform strategies into working agendas so that we can really shake the world and make it a better place,” said Gaby Hagmuller, Team Leader, Social Development, European Union Office in Kosovo/EU Special Representative. “We will support KWN and its member organizations to effectively raise capacities and involve women in decision-making.”
A further topic of discussion was KWN’s cooperation with other actors and interest groups.
“It is important to understand the role of civil society because what they do is create a channel to transform these ideas and commitments into action,” said Andrew Russell, UN Development Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative.
Ariana Qosaj-Mustafa, Chair of the KWN Board of Directors presented KWN’s new Strategy for 2015-2018. KWN members, its Board of Directors, partners and other stakeholders compiled KWN’s new Strategy, identifying five priorities for KWN:
- Building the Capacities of KWN;
- Women in Politics and Decision-making;
- Women’s Right to Quality Healthcare;
- Against Gender-based Violence; and
- Women’s Economic Empowerment.
Also during this event KWN screened for the first time its documentary film about the Kosovo Women’s Fund, which began in 2012 to support the activities of KWN’s member organizations.