KFOR, KWN Discuss Further Collaboration

06.03.2024

On 16 Feb. the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) welcomed a delegation of gender advisors from North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Kosovo Force (KFOR) headquarters at KWN’s office. They discussed how KFOR and KWN can organise introductory presentations from women’s rights activists to peacekeeping troops arriving in Kosovo every six months. Building on a similar positive practice in the past, this would provide the opportunity for incoming troops to hear directly from women’s rights activists about the situation in Kosovo and key gender equality issues. In line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security this could build relations between troops and activists as well as ensure that women’s voices are heard in peacekeeping operations. KWN also suggested that KFOR gender advisors meet with diverse people outside Prishtina to better understand the situation and their security needs. Additionally, they discussed KWN Executive Director Igballe Rogova’s reflections from the international NATO Civil Society Advisory Panel where she is a member.

03.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

01.09.25

Kosovars Becoming More Aware of Gender-Based Violence and Reporting Mechanisms

01.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Justice

30.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Prosecution Council

29.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers

28.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation

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Solidarity among Women Politicians Furthers Gender Equality, Peace and Security

06.03.2024

On 23-24 Feb., the Group of Women Deputies in Kosovo organised a regional conference entitled “Parliaments and Resolution 1325: Perspectives from the Western Balkans” in Prishtina. The conference brought together parliamentarians from different countries in the region to discuss their experiences with implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

In the second panel, Igballe Rogova, Executive Director of the Kosovo Women’s Network, spoke about civil society’s role in implementing Resolution 1325. She provided examples as to how activists have collaborated with women parliamentarians in using Resolution 1325 to push for women’s participation in the negotiations and later dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. She emphasised the importance of solidarity among women, including women parliamentarians and civil society activists. “We can only change and move the agenda forward if we are together,” she said.

In this regard, she also spoke about wearing red shoes on Tuesdays as part of the Red Shoe Movement that KWN continues to endorse. Red shoes symbolise the solidarity among women and the commitment not to speak negatively about other women, but rather to seek to empower. Wearing red shoes on Tuesdays is a visual sign of one’s commitment to solidarity and encourages others to join this movement. She encouraged women parliamentarians to join the movement and to demonstrate their support for solidarity among women, building each other up and bringing about changes together.

03.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

01.09.25

Kosovars Becoming More Aware of Gender-Based Violence and Reporting Mechanisms

01.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Justice

30.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Prosecution Council

29.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers

28.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation

Gender Policy Strategic Network, WEF Express Concerns about Delays in Approving Labour Law

06.03.2024

On 27 Feb., the Gender Policy Strategic Network met in Pristina. Among other issues, participants discussed concerns that the Law on Labour had been removed from the legislative calendar for 2024. They agreed to unite to push for urgently amending and proceeding the Law, which holds several implications for women’s labour force participation and gender equality.

This Network is an ongoing initiative, holding regular meetings, which unites women parliamentarians, the Agency for Gender Equality in the Office of the Prime Minister, the Office of the President of Kosovo, the National Democratic Institute, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) and other organisations in furthering gender equality in Kosovo. The Network aims to identify ways to strengthen the participation of diverse women in politics and decision-making.

During the last meeting, KWN Executive Director Igballe Rogova also shared information about KWN’s latest gender analysis on the informal economy.

The Women’s Economic Forum (WEF) also has sent an advocacy letter expressing its concerns that the Law on Labour was removed from the legislative agenda. KWN joined dozens of other CSOs in signing this letter, calling for the law to move forward and include civil society inputs based on the EU Work-Life Balance Directive.

03.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

01.09.25

Kosovars Becoming More Aware of Gender-Based Violence and Reporting Mechanisms

01.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Justice

30.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Prosecution Council

29.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers

28.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation

Women’s Economic Forum Meets Kosovo President Osmani on Gender Budgeting

06.03.2024

The Women’s Economic Forum (WEF)* met President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani on 20 Feb. Two key agenda items were calling for urgent progress on the Law on Labour, which continues to contribute directly to discrimination against women in hiring, but which was removed from the legislative calendar for 2024 despite government promises to the contrary; and the importance of institutionalising and implementing gender-responsive budgeting. WEF activists requested the President’s support in addressing these issues.

President Osmani declared her support for urgent adoption of the Law on Labour.

*WEF is a coalition of civil society organizations including the Riinvest Institute, Kosovo Women’s Network, Democracy for Development, the Kosovo Center for Gender Studies, the Network of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Women’s Organisations in Kosovo, Kosovo Women 4 Women, the GAP Institute, QIKA and Kosovar Stability Initiative.

03.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

01.09.25

Kosovars Becoming More Aware of Gender-Based Violence and Reporting Mechanisms

01.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Justice

30.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Prosecution Council

29.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers

28.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation

Paper on Donors’ Gender Budgeting Discussed with Experts in Cyprus

06.03.2024

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

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

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

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

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

03.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

01.09.25

Kosovars Becoming More Aware of Gender-Based Violence and Reporting Mechanisms

01.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Justice

30.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Prosecution Council

29.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers

28.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation

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

06.03.2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

03.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

01.09.25

Kosovars Becoming More Aware of Gender-Based Violence and Reporting Mechanisms

01.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Justice

30.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Prosecution Council

29.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers

28.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation

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

01.03.2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

03.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

01.09.25

Kosovars Becoming More Aware of Gender-Based Violence and Reporting Mechanisms

01.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Justice

30.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Prosecution Council

29.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers

28.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation

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

12.02.2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

28.03.25

Reaction of the Kosovo Women’s Network to the Recent Killings in Kosovo due to illegal weapons 

08.11.24

Press Release – Recommendations for the Kosovo Parliament  

05.11.24

Response to Klan Kosova – Do Not Promote the Perpetrators

04.11.24

Violence Against the Minor is Intolerable – KWN Calls for Justice and Immediate Action

31.10.24

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

17.10.24

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

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

29.01.2024

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

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

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

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

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

03.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

01.09.25

Kosovars Becoming More Aware of Gender-Based Violence and Reporting Mechanisms

01.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Justice

30.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Prosecution Council

29.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers

28.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation

Handikos Mitrovica Empowers People with Disabilities through Training

26.01.2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

03.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

01.09.25

Kosovars Becoming More Aware of Gender-Based Violence and Reporting Mechanisms

01.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Justice

30.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Prosecution Council

29.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers

28.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation