NGO Divine Woman and the Association for Education and Family Care

21.07.2014

Sexuality and sexual relationships, accessibility that should be applied in the cases addicted to drugs and alcohol continue to be closed topics for parents and teachers which can play very important role in sexual education and awareness of children and pupils for the threats of sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Since this problem is similar for all Kosova,  NGO Divine Woman and the Association for Education and Family Care and undertake the initiative "Be aware for a better life". For this they received a “Networking for Change” Grant by KWN’s Kosova Women’s Fund (KWF).

By undertaking this initiative, NGO Divine Woman from Gjilan and the Association for Education and Family Care from Gjakova aim to improve the physical and mental health among young people within their respective municipalities.

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

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NGO Open Door and NGO Ruka Ruci

21.07.2014

"Empowering vulnerable women through knowledge and awareness on the Law on Gender Equality, Law No.2004/2" is the initiative that will be undertaken by NGO Open Door and NGO Ruka Ruci, which received a “Networking for Change” Grant of Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF).

This came up as a need, since Kosovo continues to be the poorest place in Europe. Economic and social challenges continue to dominate citizens concerns. Latest studies suggest that at least 45 % of the population is poor, with poverty rates disproportionately high among women, female-headed households, children and members of Kosovo’s Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian (RAE) [Kosovo Household Budget Survey World Bank 2008, and Kosovo Human Development Report, UNDP 2010]. 

Gender-based exclusion spreads throughout Kosovo society and cuts all segments of women’s life, in particular of those residing in rural areas. In a traditional culture and poor economic climate, Kosovo woman continue to face a life of constrained potential. They are held back by a legacy of cultural prejudices, and a widespread lack of opportunity, so far unchallenged by uneven enforcement of EU-compliant legislation.

Through implementing their joint initiative, both NGOs’ aim for women to be able to enjoy their rights and gender equality is achieved through full implementation of the Law on Gender Equality and related legal framework.

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

Vita Jeta offers free medical exams to diagnose osteoporosis through their initiative supported by KWN's Kosovo Women's Fund (KWF).

Vita Jeta Offers Free Medical Exams to Diagnose Osteoporosis

14.07.2014

Approximately 50 pensioner women squeezed inside NGO Vita Jeta’s office, waiting to take a free medical exam that determines if they have osteoporosis. This was the fourth group to undergo the check-up. In total, 600 women will receive the service provided by Vita Jeta, a KWN member organization.    
     
Osteoporosis is a progressive bone disease characterized by a decrease in bone mass and density. This can lead to an increased risk of fracture. Since most of the association’s approximately 1,000 members are pensioners, they are particularly at risk of this disease. 
     “This is the second time we have been supported by KWN’s Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) in offering exams to diagnose potential cases of osteoporosis to our NGO members; we already offered these check-ups to 240 members back in 2012,” said Ajshe Nuhiu, Executive Director of Vita Jeta. 
     
Few of Vita Jeta’s members can afford regular checkups that will enable them to detect osteoporosis early. With this in mind, the association also offers treatment and medicines for the women who are diagnosed with the disease from the exam. 
     “In 2012 I was diagnosed with osteoporosis and the doctor together with the NGO’s staff helped me by offering treatment and medicine,” said Arzie Borovci, a member of the association. “Now that I repeated the medical exam, it turned out that my condition has improved and I am doing much better, therefore I am very thankful to Vita Jeta.” 
     
The association has also initiated a petition requesting for the Ministry of Health to provide an examination device to the public health institution. This would allow more women to be given free exams to diagnose potential cases of osteoporosis. 
     “We expect that all our NGO members will sign the petition, but if that number is not enough we won’t stop collecting more signatures, in order to achieve this,” said Ajshe Nuhiu.         
     
Vita Jeta has received support for this work from the 5th round of Kosova Women’s Fund, supported by the Kvinna till Kvinna (KtK).  

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 

29.05.25

The Journey of OPED: From Advocating for Drinking Water to Empowering Women and Local Accountability 

28.05.25

Nermin Mahmuti: The Voice of Women That Doesn’t Stop, Even in Challenging Times 

On 8 July, 14 KWN member organizations received grants from the KWN Kosovo Women’s Fund, funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), totaling €43,806.

14 KWN Members Receive Grants for Advocacy

09.07.2014

On 8 July, 14 KWN member organizations received grants from the KWN Kosovo Women’s Fund, funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), totaling €43,922. This round encouraged individual organizations’ advocacy initiatives as well as joint advocacy between two organizations via KWN’s new “Networking for Change” grants. Ten organizations received grants for individual advocacy, and four organizations received two grants for “Networking for Change” initiatives. The organizations to receive grants and their initiatives include:

  1. Dora Dores’ initiative “Development of Gender Policies in the Municipality of Prizren” aims to develop gender policies by defining both specific objectives for actors and the necessary budget for realizing the new Municipal Action Plan towards Gender Equality. Then they will advocate for the approval of the Action Plan in the Assembly of the Municipality of Prizren (€3,000)
  2. The Women’s Initiative Association’s initiative “Women of Sharr Aim to Integrate in Social and Political Life” seeks to integrate women from Sharr in Dragash municipality in social and political life by improving the position of women in both family and social settings (€3,000).
  3. The Inter-municipal Organization of the Blind and Partly Sighted will advocate for the “Implementation of the Law for Blind People” in Prizren (€2,620).
  4. Top Radio in Gjakova will seek to “Release Women and Girls from Municipal Taxes for New Businesses” for up to a year for all women and girls who seek to open business but do not have financial support (€3,000).
  5. Women’s Center ATO’s initiative “Involvement of Women (and Men) in the Community to Advocate in the Municipality to Ensure Free Transport for all Children for Obligatory Education” aims for men and women in the rural areas of the municipality to advocate for transportation for students attending obligatory education (€2,850).
  6. The Association of Deaf Women in Prizren aims for “Women to Become Active in Preserving their Health” and to increase the quality of services available for preventing health issues (€2,600).
  7. The Centre for Promotion of Women’s Rights has an initiative for the “Identification of Rape Cases,” which seeks to increase efficiency in protecting persons who suffered sexual violence during the war (€3,000).
  8. NGO Luna in Priluzje has the initiative: “Prevention is the Key to Health: Regular Medical Exams Save Lives.” They aim to raise awareness about preventive healthcare for women and girls (€2,410).
  9. Through their initiative “Violence against Women: It is Not a Family Matter,” NGO Venera will monitor sessions relating to domestic violence cases, as well as court cases on inheritance and divorce. They also will advocate to authorities to treat these cases with seriousness and fairness. Monitoring will be carried out in Basic Court proceedings in Peja (€2,467).
  10. NGO Bliri in Drenas will work towards “The Improvement of Women’s Access to Quality Health Care” (€2,975).
  11. Open Door and Ruka Ruci received a “Networking for Change” Grant, entitled: “Empowering Vulnerable Women through Knowledge and Awareness on the Law on Gender Equality, Law No. 2004/2.” They aim to empower vulnerable women by increasing their knowledge and awareness about the Law on Gender Equality, so that they can advocate for its implementation (€8,000).
  12. Divine Woman and the Association for Education and Family Care also received a “Networking for Change” Grant. “Be Aware for a Better Life” aims to improve physical and mental health among young people from the municipalities of Gjakova and Gjilan (€8,000).

All grant recipients attended an orientation session in Prishtina on 8 July, prior to signing contracts.
“This session is like a training on project implementation, but also capacity building for KWN member organizations because it shows exactly how to act with other donors in implementing projects,” a KWN member organization said. Other organizations agreed, “The orientation session helps us to be more prepared also for other projects.”

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 

29.05.25

The Journey of OPED: From Advocating for Drinking Water to Empowering Women and Local Accountability 

28.05.25

Nermin Mahmuti: The Voice of Women That Doesn’t Stop, Even in Challenging Times 

Court Finds Guilty Perpetrators of Sexual Violence

07.07.2014

 According to the Kosovo Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims (KRCT), the Court of Appeals in Prishtina has released a verdict that finds guilty and sentences two persons for criminal acts of sexual violence perpetrated during the war in Kosovo. They have been sentenced to 22 years in prison.
     This positive step towards justice has encouraged institutions to continue pursuing and punishing crimes committed during the war in Kosovo. KRCT shared this information as part of its marking of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, 26 Jun.

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 

29.05.25

The Journey of OPED: From Advocating for Drinking Water to Empowering Women and Local Accountability 

28.05.25

Nermin Mahmuti: The Voice of Women That Doesn’t Stop, Even in Challenging Times 

Women’s Wellness Centre Joins WAVE in Vienna

07.07.2014

The Coalition of Shelters in Kosovo joined Women Against Violence Europe (WAVE) in 2011. The Women’s Wellness Centre in Peja, a KWN member, is a representative focal point within WAVE, which brings together 48 organizations from throughout Europe in a network combatting violence.

     Ardita Ramizi Bala from the Women’s Wellness Centerparticipated in WAVE’s 9th meeting in Vienna on 26-27 May 2014, during which information was shared about WAVE’s statute, board and new assembly. 

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 

29.05.25

The Journey of OPED: From Advocating for Drinking Water to Empowering Women and Local Accountability 

28.05.25

Nermin Mahmuti: The Voice of Women That Doesn’t Stop, Even in Challenging Times 

Women from 15 Municipalities Strategize for Advocacy

07.07.2014

Gender Equality Advocacy Groups (GEAG) from 15 different municipalities participated in the second workshop “Women Advocate at Local and Central Levels,” which took place on Jun. 26-27 at Hotel Arxhena, located in the beautiful mountains of Brod, Dragash. GEAGs bring together women in municipal assemblies and KWN member organizations for joint advocacy towards gender equality at the municipal level. 
     In the first session, moderated by KWN Executive Director Igballe Rogova, participants reported on the status of their joint advocacy campaigns in their respective municipalities. Campaigns targeted issues that they had identified during the previous GEAG meeting in Durres. Even though GEAG members planned to achieve their advocacy aims by the end of 2014, most municipalities already had achieved their aims as of June.
     “It’s very good that we have achieved success in our advocacy efforts earlier than we planned, but this doesn’t mean that we will stop identifying new issues and advocating for them during the remainder of the year,” said a participant.
     The workshop involved two sessions, led by inspirational speaker Shqipe Malushi, involved “Empowerment and Positive Thinking – from the Impossible to Realization.”
     “This session was very much needed and useful for us,” said a participant. “Considering the everyday routine and challenges we face, we definitely needed someone to remind us to ‘get back’ to being positive and to show us useful techniques for doing that.”
     The second day of the workshop began with a session on gender responsive budgeting led by Nicole Farnsworth, KWN Program Manager. She shared a very simple methodfor gender responsive budgeting, which KWN has used in close cooperation with the Municipality of Kamenica and Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
     “We all agree that the fact that the Budget Circular 2015/01 for Municipalities encourages gender responsive budgeting is good news,” a participant said. “Now we will use indicators with a gender perspective to measure the impact of the budget on women and men’s lives.”
     During the final session, led by Igballe Rogova, participants planned future steps for GEAGs. Supporting GEAGs is part of KWN’s efforts to implement its Strategic Plan, which includes the important goal of increasing women’s participation in politics and decision-making. KWN believes that active participation will be possible only via cooperation and joint advocacy on issues that women consider important at local and national levels.
GEAGs bring together women in politics and women in civil society in efforts to advocate for women’s rights and gender equality at the municipal level. This activity was supported by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA).
 

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 

29.05.25

The Journey of OPED: From Advocating for Drinking Water to Empowering Women and Local Accountability 

28.05.25

Nermin Mahmuti: The Voice of Women That Doesn’t Stop, Even in Challenging Times 

University of Essex Students Learn about KWN

04.07.2014

  Students studying Human Rights at the University of Essex visited with KWN on 16 Jun. They showed interest in learning about the experiences of women’s rights activists, current developments and challenges to human rights as well as future obstacles and opportunities.

     KWN Program Manager/Lead Researcher Nicole Farnsworth informed students about KWN’s work, the history of the women’s movement in Kosovo, women activists’ involvement in implementing United Nation Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security and the situation of women’s right in Kosovo. Following this, students had the opportunity to ask questions.
“This was one of the best sessions we have had during our trip,” a student said. “You made a great presentation and we felt free to ask questions.”

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 

29.05.25

The Journey of OPED: From Advocating for Drinking Water to Empowering Women and Local Accountability 

28.05.25

Nermin Mahmuti: The Voice of Women That Doesn’t Stop, Even in Challenging Times 

CLE Presents Report on Gender Equality in Commerce

04.07.2014

 The Contract Law Enforcement (CLE) Program presented a report onGender Equality in Commerce, on Jun. 3 in Prishtina, offering an example of how the United State Agency for International Development’s (USAID) gender policies and strategies translate into “real world” actions. The report surveyed public perceptions about the barriers women face in economic and legal environments.

     Even though evidence suggests that empowering women is smart economic policy, women are frequently at a disadvantage when pursuing economic opportunities, such as employment, training, education, access to finance and property ownership.   
      In Kosovo, statistics show that the rate of unemployment among women is 40%; women make up only 0.3% of top managers in private companies; women own only 11% of small businesses; and just 8% of land owners are women. Constraints to women’s active participation in the economy include insufficient enforcement of anti-discrimination laws and policies, as well as socially entrenched gender stereotypes.
     “Efforts to empower women economically are attempts to show not only the level of democratization of society but, above all, to steer the country towards a fairer and more rapid economic growth. Economic empowerment of women is the empowerment of society as a whole, is an investment in the future and guarantor of prosperity,” said President Jahjaga. “I am deeply convinced that economic empowerment of women will bring us their empowerment in politics and decision making, where decisions about the fate of our children, the future of the country and beyond, are made every day.”

     This report will assist the CLE Program, among other USAID programs, in developing future activities with a better understanding of how to address real and perceived gender gaps in economic participation

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 

29.05.25

The Journey of OPED: From Advocating for Drinking Water to Empowering Women and Local Accountability 

28.05.25

Nermin Mahmuti: The Voice of Women That Doesn’t Stop, Even in Challenging Times 

Kvinna till Kvinna Partners Discuss Good Practices

04.07.2014

Kvinna till Kvinna (KtK)organized a Good Practices conference with its partners in the Western Balkans at Hotel Bleart in Durrës, Albania from 24-27 Jun. The conference was organized with the purpose of sharing experiences and good practices, as well as to provide a space for networking among women’s rights activists.

The conference involved parallel workshops with interesting and challenging thematic issues, such as: Working for women in politics – experiences from the region; 1325 National Action Plans – taking control and claiming accountability; Art as tool for social change; EU advocacy – good advice and practical examples; Leading new activists; Working against VAW on the national and local level – experiences from the region; and Women Human Right Defenders – working with EU guidelines and UN.     

Lena Ag, Secretary General of Kvinna till Kvinna, opened the conference, providing information about KtK’s present and future plans for the region and beyond. She quoted Virginia Wolf, “As a woman I have no country. My country is the whole world.”
     Two KWN staff members participated as panellists: Nicole Farnsworth discussed KWN’s efforts to monitor and advocate for the implementation of UNSCR 1325andMimoza Pachuku,Kosova Women’s Fund Coordinator,presented in the panel Leading New Activists.KWN members from Legjenda, Mitrovica Women’s Association for Human Rights and Aureola also shared their experiences. 

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 

29.05.25

The Journey of OPED: From Advocating for Drinking Water to Empowering Women and Local Accountability 

28.05.25

Nermin Mahmuti: The Voice of Women That Doesn’t Stop, Even in Challenging Times