Kosova Women’s Network to Launch Budgeting for Social Welfare Report

30.10.2014

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On Jul. 1, the Kosova Women’s Network (KWN) will present key findings and recommendations from its newest report: Budgeting for Social Welfare: A Rapid Gender Analysis to Inform Gender Responsive Budgeting in the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare – the first report of its kind in Kosovo.

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

17.10.24

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

14.10.24

Reaction: KWN calls for an urgent solution to the strike of technical workers of the Assembly

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KWN Continues Collaboration with NATO

29.10.2014

NATO has welcomed the new Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security, Ambassador Marriet Schuurman on 24 October 2014. Her office expressed their readiness to continue collaboration with the Kosova Women’s Network (KWN).

This is very important for KWN, as its close collaboration with the former NATO Representative Mari Skåre has been very fruitful towards implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security at the international level.

 

25.11.25

Creating Safe Schools: NORMA’s Push for Gender-Sensitive Education

25.11.25

Courage Over Fear: Youth in Drenas Learn to Speak Out and Act Against Sexual Harassment and Assault

24.11.25

Survivors of Cancer Advocate for Better Health care in Mitrovica

17.11.25

Lisbon Dialogue: Activists, Diplomats Network towards Implementing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda

12.11.25

Gruaja Hyjnore Empowers Students and Parents to Tackle Sexual Harassment

07.11.25

Civil Society Representatives Discuss Challenges and Legal Rights in Accessing Social Services

8 March: Women Seek Address, Justice for Missing Persons

29.10.2014

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On 8 Mar. 2014, International Women’s Day, with the initiative of the association “Thirjet e Nënave” (Mother’s Call), KWN will organize a protest to support mothers, wives, sisters and daughters of missing persons with the motto: “We are with y

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

17.10.24

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

14.10.24

Reaction: KWN calls for an urgent solution to the strike of technical workers of the Assembly

KWN’s Rogova Attends UN Security Council Debate on Resolution 1325

28.10.2014

On 28 Oct. in New York, KWN Executive Director Igballe Rogova is attending the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security, focused on “Displaced Women and Girls: Leaders and Survivors.”
    Convened by Argentina, which currently holds the Presidency of the UN Security Council, the debate will focus on the situation of refugee, internally displaced and stateless women and girls. During the session, participants will assess progress “across the women, peace and security agenda,” which will inform the 2015 High-level Review of the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325.
    For further information about today’s debate, please visit: http://m.whatsinblue.org/479808/show/232c4250aae21a11add5ebc56a142780/. The webcast of today’s session will be available at: http://webtv.un.org/.
     Rogova is a member of the High-level Advisory Group for the Global Study on UNSCR 1325. The other prestigious members of the High-level Advisory Group include Madeleine Rees, Elisabeth Rehn, Major General Patrick Cammaert, Luz Mendez, Liliana Andrea Silva Bello, Sharon Bhaghwan Rolls, Ambassador Anwarul Chowdhury, Leymah Gbowee, Ruth Ochieng, Yasmin Sooka, Dr. Alaa Murabit, Maha Abu Dayyeh, Youssef Mahmoud, Julia Kharashvili, Pramila Patten and Bandana Rana.
     The Global Study is being led by Radhika Coomaraswamy. Consultations related to the content of the Global Study will continue throughout this week and KWN will provide further updates as the week progresses.
    Originally adopted in 2000, UNSCR 1325 calls for women and girls’ participation in decision-making during conflict and post-conflict situations; preventing sexual violence that often targets women and girls; and consideration of the unique security concerns of women and girls in such situations.    

 

25.11.25

Creating Safe Schools: NORMA’s Push for Gender-Sensitive Education

25.11.25

Courage Over Fear: Youth in Drenas Learn to Speak Out and Act Against Sexual Harassment and Assault

24.11.25

Survivors of Cancer Advocate for Better Health care in Mitrovica

17.11.25

Lisbon Dialogue: Activists, Diplomats Network towards Implementing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda

12.11.25

Gruaja Hyjnore Empowers Students and Parents to Tackle Sexual Harassment

07.11.25

Civil Society Representatives Discuss Challenges and Legal Rights in Accessing Social Services

One Billion Rising

28.10.2014

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On 14 February 2014, at 17:00 at the plateau near the Grand Hotel in Prishtina, women and men, boys and girls will harness their power and imagination, rising for JUSTICE for women and girls who experience violence.

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

17.10.24

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

14.10.24

Reaction: KWN calls for an urgent solution to the strike of technical workers of the Assembly

KWN and Alter Habitus Launch Report “Where’s the Money for Women’s Rights?”

27.10.2014

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The Kosova Women’s Network (KWN) and Alter Habitus – Institute for Studies in Society and Culture launched the report Where’s the Money for Women’s Rights? A Kosovo Case Study. The research, supported by the Association of Women in Development (AWID) and Kvinna till Kvinna, was conducted between January and September 2013. The report draws from 40 interviews with donors who have worked in Kosovo and a survey of 90 diverse women’s organizations.

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

17.10.24

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

14.10.24

Reaction: KWN calls for an urgent solution to the strike of technical workers of the Assembly

Girls in Gjilan take the Initiative to Raise Awareness on Breast Cancer

23.10.2014

 On Oct. 21, 2014, femACT in Gjilan met Assembly Chairwoman Valentina Bunjaku-Rexhepi, and sought support from the municipality to carry out a breast cancer awareness raising street action.

     The meeting began by discussing the risks of cancer, and how the number of cases affected by this disease are increasing more and more, every day. The main problem they raised is the fact that in most cases, breast cancer shows very few symptoms and is thus not detected on time, therefore it is recommended to have regular checkups.
     While the month of October marks the month of breast cancer awareness raising, and since in Gjilan no activity has yet been announced, the femACT young women want to take this upon their hands.
    Ms. Bunjaku-Rexhepi expressed readiness to support girls for this one-day campaign.
"We support activities organized towards ”‹”‹this important goal, which concerns maintaining the health of women," she said. "This awareness campaign is necessary to make women and girls aware for this threat that is very dangerous for their lives. We must work together towards fighting this serious disease, which if detected early can also be cured. "
    The femACT young women were very grateful, and the plans and preparations have already began.
As a result, with the support of the Municipality of Gjilan, and particularly the support of the Assembly Chairwoman Valentina Bunjaku-Rexhepi, on 1 November 2014, in Gjilan, femACT will organize a street action, where they will distribute brochures and give information on breast cancer prevention, symptoms, control, and diagnostics. 

25.11.25

Creating Safe Schools: NORMA’s Push for Gender-Sensitive Education

25.11.25

Courage Over Fear: Youth in Drenas Learn to Speak Out and Act Against Sexual Harassment and Assault

24.11.25

Survivors of Cancer Advocate for Better Health care in Mitrovica

17.11.25

Lisbon Dialogue: Activists, Diplomats Network towards Implementing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda

12.11.25

Gruaja Hyjnore Empowers Students and Parents to Tackle Sexual Harassment

07.11.25

Civil Society Representatives Discuss Challenges and Legal Rights in Accessing Social Services

Health Care Should Be On School Programs

22.10.2014

 “Be aware for a better life” is the name of the joint project by KWN’s member organizations: Gruaja Hyjnore(Divine Woman) and Shoqata për Edukim dhe Përkujdesjën e Familjës  (Association for Education and Family Care). Both of these organizations have received grants by the Kosova Women’s Fund (KWF).
     This project aims to raise awareness among young people on sexually transmitted diseases in general, HIV/AIDS, and drugs.
     The meeting was held on Oct. 21, in the village of Bec, in Gjakova, with parents and teachers of students who had participated in the earlier lectures.
     The purpose of the meeting was to discuss further steps to be taken, as well as recommendations of mothers and teachers regarding the ways and methods used so far during lectures to youth.
     Most mothers agreed that a course in health education should be a compulsory subject in primary schools for students in grades seven, eight and nine. Some of them also claimed that they themselves have difficulty discussing this topic with their children.
     While others said that most of the time they are held back by the mentality, where such discussions remain taboo and are not discussed between parents and children.
     "We do not have the habit of discussing such topics, so children often remain uninformed. I took the initiative and opened this topic for discussion with my children, but my husband thought the topic should not be discussed," said a mother participating in the meeting.
     There were numerous discussions on various topics related to students, but teachers stated that the best way to prevent the negative phenomena is for students, parents and teachers to collaborate with each other.
     As a conclusion, participants unanimously decided that they should further advocate for such topics to be taught in school, and included in a compulsory subject called: Health Education.
      Representatives of the NGO claimed that they have already begun to address this request to the competent authorities.
Kosovo Women’s Fund is supported by Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and Kvinna till Kvinna (KtK).

 

25.11.25

Creating Safe Schools: NORMA’s Push for Gender-Sensitive Education

25.11.25

Courage Over Fear: Youth in Drenas Learn to Speak Out and Act Against Sexual Harassment and Assault

24.11.25

Survivors of Cancer Advocate for Better Health care in Mitrovica

17.11.25

Lisbon Dialogue: Activists, Diplomats Network towards Implementing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda

12.11.25

Gruaja Hyjnore Empowers Students and Parents to Tackle Sexual Harassment

07.11.25

Civil Society Representatives Discuss Challenges and Legal Rights in Accessing Social Services

Open Letter on the text of Professor Vesel Latifi

21.10.2014

Addressed to the Author of the educational book “Criminology”, text reviewers of the educational book “Criminology”, Publishing Council, Dean of the Faculty of Law and Pro-rector of Education at the University of Prishtina:
 
Prishtina, October 21st, 2014
 
Through this letter we express our concern with the educational book “Criminology” by the Author Vesel Latifi, especially with regard to Chapter 31.3 titled “Characteristics of Victims of Forced Sexual Intercourse.”
 
We, the undersigned, hereby consider that the language used in this chapter is misogynic and inhuman to the victims of sexual violence, particularly the first two paragraphs of this chapter stating:
 
“Victims of forced sexual intercourse are usually women who are easily lied to, careless, frivolous, and promiscuous, circumstances that cause a victimological situation (attack against them). The objects of rape are often developed women of normal age, who are attractive, but often the 4-5 years-old girls, and in the other extreme, the old women, as well.
 
A case of rape against a 85-year-old woman has been reported. In addition, a large number of reports are false, made by sick, hysterical psychopaths with pathological diseases, etc. In some cases the motives that make women report falsely, even when they are normal, derive from jealousy, lack of love by one side, her being captured in the act, performing sexual act, and she willfully and due to shame speaks about violence, in order to gain material profits, etc.”
 
The World Health Organization defines sexual violence as:
 
“…actions ranging from verbal violence to coerced penetration and other kinds of coercion ranging from social pressure and intimidation to the physical violence.
 
Sexual violence includes, but is not limited to:
·         rape within marriage or dating relationships
·         rape by strangers or known persons
·         unwanted sexual advances or sexual harassment (at school, work, etc.)
·         systematic rape, sexual slavery, and other forms of violence, which are usually used in armed conflicts (for example, forced pregnancy)
·         sexual abuse or mentally or physically disabled people,
·         sexual abuse or rape of children, and
·         ‘customary’ forms of sexual violence, such as forced marriage, relationship, or woman’s heredity.”
 
Not only does the text ignore these forms of sexual violence, but it does not even include the definitions set out by the Criminal Code of Kosovo.
 
The definition of the ‘typical’ victim by professor Latifi is extremely problematic. Serious research on sexual violence in Kosovo provide evidence that women of all ages, ethnicities, marital status, and various regions experience violence in Kosovo, and most of them experience gender-based violence (including the sexual violence) by their intimate partners rather than by a stranger. This violence has the tendency to be part of continuous violation (see: KWN: “Study on Level of Gender-based Violence in Kosovo…”).
 
The victim cannot simply be defined by frivolousness, carelessness, promiscuity, or “victimology” situation it causes. Sexual violence is a symptom of patriarchal society, in which women are considered inferior and their bodies as property. It is worth mentioning that in Kosovo society, it is impossible to think that the victim might also by a man, a boy, or any person who does not fit in the narrow definition of ‘victim’, given in Vesel’s text. Everyone can be a victim, and not only “developed women of normal age”.
 
The sexual violence is not only related to the sexual attraction or lust, but also to the rooted institutional and social inequality. The latter takes the forms as the sexual violence, but also as absence of heritage, legal protection, lack of representation, and concentration of power in hands of men.
 
Without credible references and sources, the author generalizes that a large number of reports are false, and not only false, but made by “sick, hysterical psychopaths with pathological diseases, etc.”, and by women who just lie because of adultery or material gain. Despite the fact that hysteria is a discredited term and diseases cannot be but pathological, such an attitude towards the victims of sexual violence discourages them (males and females) from reporting the violence to the relevant authorities.
 
In fact, the majority of rape cases in Kosovo are supposedly not reported to the justice authorities exactly because of the mistrust the institutions show and the lenient punishments that are imposed on the abusers (KWN, “More than words in paper…”). Moreover, with regard to non-reporting, more than half of interviewed women said that, “their partners forced them to perform sexual acts which they did not want” (KWN, “Study on Level of Gender-Based Violence…”). The same study documents that only 13 out of 96 interviewed gynecologists did not have any case of sexually violated patients. 
 
According to the World Health Organization, there are many reasons why women do not report the sexual violence, such as: lack of support from society and institutions, shame, fear from revenge, fear of blame, fear of maltreatment, and exclusion from society. In a society like Kosovo’s, where women do not find support even in social assistance centers which are obliged to help them; where shelters for the abused women do not have sufficient material sources and human resources to protect them; where policepersons suggest women to go back to their abusers; where families themselves hide the violence cases, mistrust and categorization of women who dare report their abusers as liars and psychologically sick, are but cruel. 
 
Institutions of knowledge are directly included in the creation of social rapports which result in such violence acts and stigmatization of the victims of this violence. The example of reproduction of this cruel attitude against the victims as guilty of the violence they experience is Professor Haki Demolli, who has recently stood in defense of the original text, saying that it represents a legitimate scientific attitude.
 
Instead of an educational text, which would aim at educating the future attorneys-at-law, prosecutors and judges of Kosovo in treating the cases of sexual violence, the “Criminology” text teaches them to mistrust the victims, discredit the charges and portray the female plaintiffs as sick and guilty.
 
We hereby request from the University of Prishtina to immediately strike out the “Criminology” text from the curricula of the Faculty of Law; to undertake the development of a strategy for inclusion of the critical gender perspectives; and to conduct the in-depth review of the accredited curricula and course outlines. 
 
 
The undersigned parties:
 
Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN)
University Program for Gender Studies and Research (University of Prishtina)
Alter Habitus – Institute for Studies in Society and Culture
GAP Institute
Center for Research, Documentation and Publication
Peer Educators Network (PEN)
Kosovar Stability Initiative (KSI)
Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR)
 

25.11.25

Creating Safe Schools: NORMA’s Push for Gender-Sensitive Education

25.11.25

Courage Over Fear: Youth in Drenas Learn to Speak Out and Act Against Sexual Harassment and Assault

24.11.25

Survivors of Cancer Advocate for Better Health care in Mitrovica

17.11.25

Lisbon Dialogue: Activists, Diplomats Network towards Implementing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda

12.11.25

Gruaja Hyjnore Empowers Students and Parents to Tackle Sexual Harassment

07.11.25

Civil Society Representatives Discuss Challenges and Legal Rights in Accessing Social Services

Vita-Jeta Marks the World Osteoporosis Day

20.10.2014

 Osteoporosis is a painful disease that gradually weakens bones, eventually leading to bone fracture. World Osteoporosis Day – 20 October, aims to raise awareness on diagnosis, treatment and prevention of osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease.
    This year, KWN member organization Jeta-Vita, in cooperation with Asociationi për Osteoporzë i Kosovës (Association for Osteoporosis of Kosova) organized an awareness raising activity with the motto: Osteoporoza Sëmundje e Heshtur që Kërcënon (Osteoporosis, the Silent disease that Threatens). They distributed flyers with information on the disease.
     “Activities of this kind are very necessary. Before this activity I did not have any knowledge of the risks of this disease, and now I have all the necessary information” said one participant. 
This activity gathered 50 people, who subsequently marched through city square holding flyers with information on osteoporosis.
 “I think we achieved our goal of informing citizens about this disease; we also offered an information session to members of our organization,” said Ajshe Nuhiu, Executive Director of Vita-Jeta. 

25.11.25

Creating Safe Schools: NORMA’s Push for Gender-Sensitive Education

25.11.25

Courage Over Fear: Youth in Drenas Learn to Speak Out and Act Against Sexual Harassment and Assault

24.11.25

Survivors of Cancer Advocate for Better Health care in Mitrovica

17.11.25

Lisbon Dialogue: Activists, Diplomats Network towards Implementing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda

12.11.25

Gruaja Hyjnore Empowers Students and Parents to Tackle Sexual Harassment

07.11.25

Civil Society Representatives Discuss Challenges and Legal Rights in Accessing Social Services