Kosovo Women's Network

Peace Corps Learn about Women’s Rights in Kosovo

03.09.2014

On 8 Aug., KWNExecutive Director Igballe Rogova spoke to approximately 20 Peace Corps volunteers about the position of women in Kosovo. The volunteers are the first-ever group to volunteer in Kosovo. They underwent a three-month comprehensive cross-cultural, language and technical training before leaving for their specific regions across the country to teach English in primary schools.

“On behalf of our U.S. Mission, I am proud to support Peace Corps in opening its newest post here in Kosovo,” said U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo Tracey Jacobson. “We are excited by the prospect of volunteers working with Kosovo’s citizens and making significant contributions to communities throughout the country. The friendships they make will serve the people of Kosovo and the United States for years to come.”

The Peace CorpsProgram in Kosovo was launched on 9 Sep. 2013 with an official signing ceremony at the Office of the President in Pristina. The Program was invited to start its work by Atifete Jahjaga, President of Kosovo,who signed the agreement along with Helen Lowman, Peace Corps former Regional Director and current Associate Director of Volunteer Recruitment and Selection.

“With the great support of USAID and the U.S. Department of State, the Peace Corps looks forward to establishing a vibrant and enduring program in Kosovo,” Lowman said following the signing ceremony.

Upon signing this agreement, Kosovo became the Peace Corps’ 140th country of service since its establishment in 1961. It is also the organization’s first entry into a new country since opening a program in Cambodia in 2007. Peace Corps staff visited Kosovo after the agreement was signed and worked together with Kosovo’s government to identify the local communities that would be best served by the agency’s volunteers.

On 20 August President Jahjagawelcomed Peace Corps volunteers .

Peace Corps volunteers are also encouraged to participate in community and school-based projects. This offers opportunities to share experiences, exchange skills and knowledge and establish increased understanding between volunteers and their host communities. The Peace Corps approach is built on the importance of people-to-people, grassroots exchange of ideas.

Since its founding by U.S. President John F. Kennedy in 1961, more than 210,000 Americans have volunteered across the globe. The Peace Corps’ mission is to promote world peace and friendship by fulfilling three main goals: help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women; help promote a better understanding of Americans by the peoples served; and help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans. Currently, volunteers are working in local communities in the focus areas of agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health and youth development.

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KWN Thanks Our Stellar Interns

03.09.2014

Every year, KWNoffers internships for students from Kosovo and abroad. This summer we welcomed two interns from the U.S., Jennifer Davidson from Dartmouth College in Pennsylvania and Monique Nicole Morin from The New School in New York.

Jennifer and Monique worked during the summer at KWN offices and helped and made a huge contribution.

"I learned so much from my time at KWN about everything from how to write grant proposals to the impact of EU integration on women. The hands-on work really helped me grow, and I couldn’t have asked for a more rewarding experience." – said Jennifer.

Jennifer and Nikki contributed to KWN in a myriad of ways, from contributing to our newsletter and public relations materials to drafting concept notes and project proposals to assisting KWN in carrying out research that we have always wanted to do but lacked the time. We thank them for their hard work and contributions!

If you would like to intern with KWN, please send your CV and a cover letter explaining your motivations, what you’d like to do and what you’d like to learn from the experience to info@womensnetwork.org.

01.08.25

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01.08.25

Breaking the Silence: Psychological Violence in Kosovo

01.08.25

Education on Social Rights Continues Through Practical Workshops

31.07.25

Small Grants, Big Changes: Reflecting on the Legacy of the KWN Kosovo Women’s Fund

31.07.25

Kosovo Women’s Network Strengthens Municipal Mechanisms against Domestic Violence

31.07.25

KWN, KCSF Partner to Further Civil Society Capacities for Gender Mainstreaming

Kosovo Young Feminists to Join International Caravan

03.09.2014

After a slight summer hiatus, the Kosovo Young Women’s Empowerment Initiative is renewing its activism, re-launched with an informal discussion that engaged a broader coalition of young feminists on Aug. 26 in Prishtina. Young feminists seek to broaden their coalition in advocating for issues of importance to Kosovo feminists in coming months.

The casual kick-off meeting had a special guest: Milena Abrahamyan from the Young Feminists of Europe Network shared information about the international "Feminist Caravan", which will take place from 8 Mar. through 17 Oct. 2015. In solidarity with the World March of Women, the Caravan will cross European (and perhaps other) borders. Its main theme is "Globalization of Solidarity", as Milena put it. The Caravan will seek to unite diverse feminists and feminist groups in different areas. It will bring to the forefront the different struggles that women in different areas face, identify similarities and encourage collaboration on combating issues of inequality.

The journey will be documented via a radio show, in collaboration with radio shows in each country, and as part a documentary film. The route of the Caravan is not entirely set yet. It will begin in either England or Turkey, and then will visit diverse countries in support of feminist events planned in those countries. The Caravan will definitely end at a larger event in Portugal. Feminists can join the Caravan for any part of the trip, or for the entire time.

A heated debate among the potential Kosovo participants surrounded the question whether men, and people who identify with other genders, can take part in the Caravan. The debate ended with the question whether this is "A feminist, or a women’s Caravan?" Milena will bring this and the other issues discussed to the attention of the Caravan’s organizers and a definitive answer will be provided on their website and/or Facebook page, where interested persons can also gather additional information about the Caravan as it becomes available.

Kosovo participants were eager to learn more about the Young Feminists of Europe Network and future plans for the Kosovo Young Women’s Empowerment Initiative. In the next informal and fun meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, 2 Sep. at “Si n’ Bahçe” in Prishtina, young feminists will discuss specific ideas, actions and goals for advocacy initiatives and empowering young feminists in Kosovo. Come join us!

P.S. Discussions will continue in other regions of Kosovo in the weeks to come – so if you can’t make it to Prishtina, no worries – we’ll visit your area soon!

01.08.25

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Education on Social Rights Continues Through Practical Workshops

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Inspired Filmmakers “Tell their Stories” at Dokufest

22.08.2014

During the vibrant international and multicultural film festival Dokufest in Prizren, one of many workshops organized was “Stories We Tell.” It encouraged young filmmakers to share story ideas and to learn how to make documentaries related to human rights. Among them was KWN’s Public Relations Coordinator, Donjeta Berisha. The workshop was led by director and cinematographer, Richard Pearce who directed “Hearts and Minds” and “Road to Memphis” among other films.

The intensive three-day workshop involved participants in group work, filming in different parts of the city.

“It was a wonderful experience,” a participant said. “Sometimes when we couldn’t go through with what we had planned and we had to improvise, it was amazing how dedicated we all became.”

Participants explored the city, trying to find particular locations that they needed to film in order ot finish their tasks. After filming during the day, they returned to discuss their work with each other and with Richard Pearce. He was touched by the creativity and great ideas that participants had. He promised that the cooperation would not end when Dokufest finished. He would continue to provide support.

During the festival, participants also had the opportunity to enjoy several films and develop their own ideas, which they presented to a jury. Jury members offered participants advice and strategies for overcoming challenges. Participants have one month to prepare their ideas and send them to the jury, which will select and fund eight films to be screened next year at Dokufest.

01.08.25

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KWN Executive Director Participates in UN Advisory Group on 1325

07.08.2014

Igballe (Igo) Rogova, KWN Executive Director, was recently invited by UN Women, New York to become a member of the High Level Expert Advisory Group for the Global Study on the 15-year implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325. The study is in line with Security Council Resolution 2122, which calls for the UN Secretary-General to undertake a high-level review of women, peace and security to be conducted in October 2015. The study will examine the substantive impact of the work achieved in this area during the past 15 years, including successes, challenges, and recommendations for the future to continue towards full implementation of UNSCR 1325. Radhika Coomaraswamy, the former Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, will be the primary author.
     Adopted in 2000, UNSCR 1325 was the first UN resolution to specifically address the unique and often disproportionate impact armed conflict has on women. In particular, it calls for holding a gender-based perspective in all post-conflict processes, UN programming, and Security Council missions, as well as having gender-based training in UN peace support operations. Additionally, it requires equal participation of women in all efforts to further peace and security.
     Rogova has been an international and domestic advocate for the implementation of UNSCR 1325 since its adoption in 2000. She used the Resolution to demand more meetings between UN officials, international decision-makers and women in Kosovo immediately after the war in Kosovo. Rogova also was instrumental in establishing the Women’s Peace Coalition that united women from Kosovo and Serbia in demanding a role in the negotiations between their countries as per Resolution 1325, as well as the Regional Women’s Lobby for Peace, Security and Justice in South East Europe.
     Although Kosovo is not fully recognized by all UN members and thus Kosovo could not formally adopt the Resolution, Rogova has advocated for more than a decade for the enforcement of this important Resolution within the country. In 2014, the Assembly of Kosovo officially adopted a National Action Plan for implementing UNSCR 1325. The action plan obliges the Agency for Gender Equality in the Office of the Prime Minister to create and lead an Inter-institutional Secretariat to ensure the Resolution’s implementation.
     Under Rogova’s leadership, KWN has published several reports on UNSCR 1325. In 2007, KWN released a report entitled Monitoring Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 in Kosovo, followed by a second edition in 2009. In 2011, KWN released a comprehensive publication called 1325: Facts and Fables, a collection of stories and facts on the implementation of the Resolution in Kosovo. The innovative publication has been used by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and specifically the NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR), among other local and international actors in raising awareness about Resolution 1325. KWN also was involved in the European Peacebuilding Liaison Office’s monitoring of UNSCR 1325 implementation in Europe.
     The upcoming Global Study will build on earlier high-level reviews, including the tenth anniversary review of UNSCR 1325 in 2010 and the 2002 Secretary-General’s Study on Women, Peace and Security. The focus of the upcoming study will be on identifying and filling knowledge and data gaps, and building the evidence base on women, peace and security. The study aims to synergize with other major UN initiatives, including the 20-year review of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action from the Fourth World Conference on Women, as well as the formulation of the Post-2015 Development Agenda. This presents the opportunity for the studies and their recommendations to inform each other and ensure a coherent, comprehensive agenda for women’s rights and equality.
     As a member of the Advisory Group, Rogova will draw from her extensive experience to provide guidance to the lead author.
The other prestigious members of the High-level Advisory Group for Global Study include Ms. Madeleine Rees (United Kingdom); Ms. Elisabeth Rehn (Finland); Major General Patrick Cammaert (Netherlands); Ms. Luz Mendez (Guatemala); Ms. Liliana Andrea Silva Bello (Colombia); Ms. Sharon Bhaghwan Rolls (Fiji); Ambassador Anwarul Chowdhury (Bangladesh); Ms. Leymah Gbowee (Liberia); Ms. Ruth Ochieng (Uganda); Ms. Yasmin Sooka (South Africa); Ms. Alaa Murabit (Canada/Libya); Ms. Maha Abu Dayyeh (Palestine/Israel); Mr. Youssef Mahmoud (Tunisia); Ms. Julia Kharashvili (Georgia); Ms. Pramila Patten (Mauritius); and Ms. Bandana Rana (Nepal).

01.08.25

Activists Call for Gender Perspective in Berlin Process

01.08.25

Breaking the Silence: Psychological Violence in Kosovo

01.08.25

Education on Social Rights Continues Through Practical Workshops

31.07.25

Small Grants, Big Changes: Reflecting on the Legacy of the KWN Kosovo Women’s Fund

31.07.25

Kosovo Women’s Network Strengthens Municipal Mechanisms against Domestic Violence

31.07.25

KWN, KCSF Partner to Further Civil Society Capacities for Gender Mainstreaming

Feminist Summer School 2014 Unites Girls from Kosova and Serbia

01.08.2014

The Feminist Summer School brought together approximately 20 girls from Kosova and Serbia in Ohrid, Macedonia from 15 to 21 July.
The six-day Summer School addressed the history of the feminist movement both in the world and in South East Europe during a lecture by Nadja Bobicic.

The next day Ana Vilenica talked about Feminism and Nationalism in an emotional session, during which participants reflected on the intersections between nation-states, gender and women’s bodies, particularly concerning sexual violence perpetrated against women during the war.

The third day participants learned about feminist research methodologies from Nicole Farnsworth. Another lecture, by Sibel Halimi, focused on Everyday Feminism and Women in Media. Their workshops involved a variety of non-formal interactive learning methods, including oral history interviewing.
     “I liked the short films about women’s stories,” said one participant. “But mostly [I liked] the exercises we did with each other because it is interesting to talk about their childhood, the war and other things with someone else that you didn’t know before.”

Indeed, feminists have long realized the importance of consciousness-raising and building understanding across borders as an important foundation in order to build a diverse, strong feminist movement.
“This was the first time that I had the chance to sit and actually have a long conversation with an Albanian girl,” another participant from Serbia said.

Several participants found oral history interviewing important for learning more about the politics of what had happened in each other’s countries, including stories that their media had not told them.

Participants also discussed human and women’s rights, the definition of grassroots activism and academic activism, among other topics.

Outside more formal discussions, young women also had free time to socialize with each other and spend time on the beautiful beaches of Ohrid. They organized yoga sessions at the lake and went salsa dancing.

The Feminist Summer School provided participants with the necessary tools, ideas and contacts to join feminist organizations and defend women’s rights in their countries. On the last day they reflected on what they had learned during the summer school and made concrete plans for continuing this initiative. The organizers supported them in dividing responsibilities for future steps.
     “I’m surprised by their ideas and readiness to make them into concrete actions,” said Mimoza Pachuku from KWN, an organizer. “It’s fascinating how much positive energy they have and that they are ready to work on a voluntary basis, if needed. This shows that the initiative for this kind of school is very much needed. I am so happy that we made it happen even though it wasn’t easy. I cannot wait for the participants to continue developing their ideas and to make this school a tradition.”

This Feminist Summer School was organized by KWN, the Alternative Girl’s Center from Krushevac, Serbia and Association Dea Dia from Kovacica, Serbia as a feminist peace-building initiative for young women. It was supported by Kvinna till Kvinna.

01.08.25

Activists Call for Gender Perspective in Berlin Process

01.08.25

Breaking the Silence: Psychological Violence in Kosovo

01.08.25

Education on Social Rights Continues Through Practical Workshops

31.07.25

Small Grants, Big Changes: Reflecting on the Legacy of the KWN Kosovo Women’s Fund

31.07.25

Kosovo Women’s Network Strengthens Municipal Mechanisms against Domestic Violence

31.07.25

KWN, KCSF Partner to Further Civil Society Capacities for Gender Mainstreaming

U.S. Ambassador Visits NGO Liria

01.08.2014

The U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Tracey Ann Jacobson, visited theCentre for Protection and Rehabilitation of Women and Children “Liria” in Gjilan on 1 July. Zyhdi Haziri, Head of Basic Court; Elmina Mahmuti, Head of the Regional Police; and Labinota Demi, Head of the Directorate for Health and Social Welfare also took part in the visit.

Nazife Jonuzi, Director of Liria, said that domestic violence remains one of the biggest human rights abuses in Kosovo.
“Violence happened during the conflict and it is happening also now, during peacetime,” she said.

Part of the discussion focused on important institutional and legal mechanisms that exist on paper, but are not being implemented in practice.
     “For this reason, our center continues to advocate at the local and central level for the creation of a long-term system for handling all aspects of domestic violence and gender-based violence. This includes having law enforcement for protection from domestic violence and long-term financial sustainability,” added Jonuzi.

Ambassador Jacobson congratulated Jonuzi and the staff of Liria for their work and commitment towards women’s empowerment, particularly in domestic violence cases. The Ambassador pledged strong support in terms of treating victims of domestic violence. She said that she would push processes at both the local and central level in law enforcement for protection from domestic violence and implementation of the Kosovo Program against Domestic Violence and Action Plan 2011-2014.

01.08.25

Activists Call for Gender Perspective in Berlin Process

01.08.25

Breaking the Silence: Psychological Violence in Kosovo

01.08.25

Education on Social Rights Continues Through Practical Workshops

31.07.25

Small Grants, Big Changes: Reflecting on the Legacy of the KWN Kosovo Women’s Fund

31.07.25

Kosovo Women’s Network Strengthens Municipal Mechanisms against Domestic Violence

31.07.25

KWN, KCSF Partner to Further Civil Society Capacities for Gender Mainstreaming

NGO Dora Dores

21.07.2014

The Municipality of Prizren has an Action Plan on Achieving Gender equality 2012-2014, compiled by NGO "Dora Dores" and approved by the Municipality of Prizren.

Now, Dora Dores’ initiative “Development of Gender Policies in the Municipality of Prizren” aims to ensure the equal participation of women and men in health, social, economic and political affairs . Also, it aims to create an equal opportunities for them to enjoy all their rights and to put into service their individual potential, to the benefit of society.

The initiative will ensure the continuation of Gender Policies through planning new targets for the next period 2015-2017 and drafting and approval of the Action Plan for achieving gender equality for 2015-2017 in the Municipality of Prizren. In addition, within the Action Plan, this time other areas will be added, that have not been included in the old plan, such as media, culture and sports.

21.06.24

Public Call for Applications for Capacity Building and Sub-Granting in Gender and Climate Change Financing

19.12.18

Organization of Persons with Muscular Dystrophy of Kosovo (OPDMK)

19.12.18

Women’s Association “Aureola”

19.12.18

The Midwives Association of Kosovo

19.12.18

Handikos Mitrovica

19.12.18

Psychotherapists in Action

Women’s Initiative Association

21.07.2014

Low economic development is one of the factors that directly affects the gender perspective, so that the interest of women’s activism in civil society, political participation through different forums is very small or is completely lacking. The number of women employed in Dragash is very small and it is far from reference to the Law on Gender Equality, and none of them is in the decision making position.

Women’s Initiative Association considers there is a great need on organizing, networking and cooperation between young women and GEO, advocating group, formal group and other local and international mechanisms in order to help with activities in gender issues.

Therefore they will undertake the initiative "Women of Sharr aims to integrate in social and political life" and plan to achieve this integration through organizing activities such as roundtables, workshops, radio debates, meetings for exchanging experiences and also to create the groups of active women whom will participate in the meetings of the municipal assembly and other debates where decisions that indicate women directly are taken.

21.06.24

Public Call for Applications for Capacity Building and Sub-Granting in Gender and Climate Change Financing

19.12.18

Organization of Persons with Muscular Dystrophy of Kosovo (OPDMK)

19.12.18

Women’s Association “Aureola”

19.12.18

The Midwives Association of Kosovo

19.12.18

Handikos Mitrovica

19.12.18

Psychotherapists in Action

The Inter-municipal Organization of the Blind and Partly Sighted

21.07.2014

The primary rights for blind people which are guaranteed by law for blind persons are: the protection of blind persons from discrimination, exploitation, abuse, employment, exemption from taxes, health care, education, access to information, rehabilitation, travel, electricity and telephone expenses and other benefits and rights. The NGO considers that all these rights and benefits have not been realized until now. Therefore they will undertake the initiative "Implementation of the Law for Blind People" aiming to advocate to certain directories, and to try together to accomplish these rights and benefits that the law provides for the blind, such as free urban and interurban travel with 50% discount on tickets for the blind person and companion; to release them from paying property tax in the municipality, access to information; and to give discounts in electricity consumption.

21.06.24