Youth read the Albanian language alphabet in Braille using a new Braille board created by the Committee of Blind Women.

Blind Youth Demand Braille in School

16.10.2013

Gezim, an ambitious young man, met the Director of the Special School for the Blind and Persons with Visual Impairments to request additional Braille typing machines. He plans to be persistent until the school has enough machines for all students.

“I do not plan to quit until I achieve this goal,” he said. “I don’t care how many meetings it takes.”
   
Gezim was among the blind and partially sighted youth participating in discussions for promoting usage of the Braille alphabet. The Committee of Blind Women of Kosova gathered youth on 14 Sep. at their new centre in Prishtina to inform youth about a new initiative and to collect their input.
    
Youth were excited to learn that the Committee of Blind Women will be collaborating with elementary schools and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to introduce Braille boards for the first time. The Braille alphabet uses different combinations of six dots, each representing an alphabet letter. Braille enables blind persons to read by using their sense of touch, rather than their eyes. By introducing Braille boards in schools, the Committee of Blind Women will help blind and partially sighted students learn the Braille alphabet and thus learn to read. They plan to introduce the first boards at “Emin Duraku” and “Anton Z. Cajupi” schools in Prishtina this year.
    
The Committee of Blind Women also plans to involve youth in raising awareness among school directors, teachers and pupils about their needs and the importance of using the Braille alphabet.
“I need you to get good grades at school and set an example of excellence for other students in order to convince people to help us achieve our aim,” said the Committee’s Director, Bajramshahe Jetullahu.
    
The Committee’s initiative encourages youth to advocate for their right to education.
“Our greatest need is to have the understanding of citizens,” said a young woman who is participating in the initiative. “They need to understand that you can never know what life will bring you. Maybe one day they will become [blind] like us, and they will need somebody to help them.”

The Committee of Blind Women’s Initiative received support from the KWN Kosovo Women’s Fund.

 

18.06.25

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WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence?  

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Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty 

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The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women 

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence 

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Ariana Qosaj-Mustafa, KWN Chair of the Board moderates the presentation of initial findings from the KWN and AH research: “Where Is the Money for Women’s Rights?”

KWN, AH Present Initial Findings: “Where’s the Money for Women’s Rights?”

16.10.2013

On Sep. 2, KWN and Alter Habitus – Institute for Studies in Society and Culture (AH) presented initial findings from their research: “Where Is the Money for Women’s Rights?” The research involved a survey of 90 women’s organizations and interviews with more than 35 donors.The resulting recommendations seek to further efficiency and effectiveness in funding for gender equality and women’s rights organizing in Kosovo, including recommendations for “the state, donors and women’s organizations.”

Around 90 participants attended the launching and discussion, including KWN members, board members, donors and KWN supporters.
“You have done a great job in a very short time and with minimal funds,” said Advije Gashi from Norma Women Lawyer’s Association.
The survey’s initial findings suggest a clear decrease in overall funding available to women’s organizations between 2000 and 2013, with a brief increase in 2011. Other key findings include:
o Aside from a few Prishtina-based organizations, most women’s organizations encountered difficulties securing sufficient resources for
their issues, target groups, and strategies.
o Very few women’s organizations received income from individuals, assets, membership fees or income generation activities, suggesting heavy reliance on international funding and insufficient diversification of resources.
o Insufficient resources led a majority of organizations to reduce staff, cut activities, and/or work voluntarily for long periods of time. More than one-third have been in jeopardy of closing their offices, and a few have closed periodically, often with dire consequences for marginalized groups, such as persons suffering from gender-based violence.
o Of the donors participating in this research, only five had earmarked funding for women’s organizations. Some had funding available through competitions (e.g. for grants or contracts), for which women’s organizations compete with other organizations or businesses. Donors tend to provide short-term, project-based funding.
o The vast majority of women’s organizations have never received core funding.
Following the presentation, participants provided feedback regarding initial research findings and recommendations. KWN and AH also used the initial release to encourage women’s organizations and donors to supply additional information, towards developing a more complete understanding of funding provided for gender equality and women’s rights between 2000 and 2010 in Kosovo. KWN and AH will incorporate their feedback in the final report, which they will present publicly in November.
“I think this is a very useful report and it comes at a very strategic moment, as well,” said Lina Andeer, Kvinna till Kvinna representative in Kosovo. “It makes me reflect about my own organization. We are right now in a strategic planning process and I definitely can use this report for our discussions internally. What I hope will follow is a profound discussion of what to do about this negative trend […] to identify how civil society and donors can cooperate to try to change this negative trend.”
This research has received support from the Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID), as well as substantial in-kind contributions from KWN and AH.

 

08.04.14

KWN Releases 2013 Annual Report

07.04.14

KWN Organizes Workshop: “Women Advocate Locally”

03.03.14

Members Gather for Bimonthly Meeting

05.02.14

Individual Member Innovative in Supporting KWN

04.02.14

Members, Stakeholders Evaluate Positively KWN’s Work

07.01.14

KWN Exchanges Experiences with Activists in Austria

Young women in Prizren strategize to address the challenges they face during a Young Women’s Empowerment Initiative meeting.

Young Women in Prizren Passionate about Advocacy

16.10.2013

Dynamic lifestyles sometimes make it difficult for young women to meet and discuss issues impacting their rights. The Young Women’s Empowerment Initiative (YWEI) provided space for young women in Prizren to gather and strategize how to address some of the challenges they face in their municipality.

During the meeting, they developed an advocacy strategy for furthering women’s right to education and towards reducing discrimination against women at work.
In discussing women at work, they realized that most of the work that women do is not considered “work”, but rather “women’s responsibility.” As such, women do not receive any financial compensation for house work, childcare and caring for the elderly in their families, for example.
“The meeting helped us see things in a different perspective,” one participant said.
Young women also discussed other issues they face, including access to education.
“A very concerning issue, for example, is when a young woman’s family tells her that they have done everything for her, and education is not necessary for her,” said a young woman. “In this way they decide for their daughter without giving her the possibility to decide for her own future.”
After discussing these challenges, young women split into groups, creating strategies that they will use to advocate for changes within their municipality.
“This meeting is very interesting,” a young woman said. “I have never experienced something like this before. In Prizren, there are a lot of activities organized for youth, but not specifically to empower young women to fight for their rights.”

Follow young women’s discussions and advocacy initiatives on the Young Women’s Empowerment Initiative Facebook page.

 

08.04.14

KWN Releases 2013 Annual Report

07.04.14

KWN Organizes Workshop: “Women Advocate Locally”

03.03.14

Members Gather for Bimonthly Meeting

05.02.14

Individual Member Innovative in Supporting KWN

04.02.14

Members, Stakeholders Evaluate Positively KWN’s Work

07.01.14

KWN Exchanges Experiences with Activists in Austria

Young women discuss strategies for advocating for psychologists in schools.

Young Women in Gjilan Seek Psychologists in Schools

16.10.2013

After the successful meeting with ambitious young women in Prizren, KWN met young women in Gjilan. They knew exactly what they wanted: psychologists in schools.

“It is very important to have a psychologist at school with whom we can speak freely about the teenage problems we face,” a young woman said.
“We do not have the courage to share with our parents some of things that we can discuss with psychologists, since our parents are not patient to listen to us,” a young woman from Ferizaj agreed.
Together, young women plan advocate for psychologists in schools via debates with teachers, community members, responsible institutions and media. They also want to organize campaigns for raising awareness among parents on how to speak freely with their teenagers.
The Young Women’s Empowerment Initiative “began just at the right time,” a young woman said. “Cooperating with each other makes us feel stronger in pushing forward this issue, as well as other issues that will make Kosovo society understand the importance of gender equality.”

 

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms 

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security  

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 

A KWN delegation presents Certificates of Appreciation to Majlinda Kelmendi and Nora Gjakova, two world judo champions.

KWN Recognizes Kelmendi, Gjakova as Role Models

16.10.2013

KWN recognized Majlinda Kelmendi and Nora Gjakova with Certificates of Appreciation on 23 Sep. in Peja. The two young women represented Kosovo at the World Judo Championship, and Majlinda Kelmendi brought home the gold medal.  

KWN members decided at their Sep. bimonthly meeting to recognize the young women’s achievements, as they serve as role models for other young women in Kosovo.
    
As Majlinda Kelmendi said on national television, “It doesn’t matter where you start, but where you go. With dedication, work and great will everyone can achieve their aims.”
    
Further, as a world champion in judo, Majlinda Kelmendi is the first national heroine of Kosovo as a new state.
    
KWN members congratulated Majlinda Kelmendi and Nora Gjakova for their achievements and hope that they will empower many other young women in Kosovo to realize their dreams.
    
KWN also has invited them to join the Young Women’s Empowerment Initiative.

 

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms 

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security  

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 

Teenagers Promote Gender Equality through Graffiti

16.10.2013

The campaign “Bonu cool, mos bjer shpulle” organized two more events in Sep. 2013. One of the events was a graffiti competition organized for teenagers ages 13-19.

The topic of the competition was “Gender Equality/Prevalence of violence in adolescents’ relationships”.
­­­ Teenage graffiti artists from Pristina, Pejë and Gjilan painted graffiti on one Prishtina street.
    
The painting of murals/graffiti is part of a public awareness campaign implemented by the Kosovo Gender Studies Centre (KGSC) through the project “Making Gender Awareness Part of Popular Culture,” supported by the EU Office in Kosovo.
    
The other event was the public promotion of “Heart Speaks Right,” a music video. The video also raises gender awareness by speaking against adolescent gender violence. The song was produced and sung by well-known Kosovar singer, Rona Nishliu.
    
The campaign “Bonu cool, mos bjer shpulle” aims to raise awareness through instilling gender sensitivity in urban culture.

For more information, visit the KGSC website: http://kgscenter.net/.
This article draws from information provided to KWN by KGSC.

 

 

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms 

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security  

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 

Letter to Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Mr. Nenad Rasic, concerning work abroad for Kosovars in Qatar

09.09.2013

 This letter is only available in Albanian.

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms 

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security  

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 

KWN Recognizes, Congratulates Majlinda Kelmendi, Judo World Champion

03.09.2013

Yesterday on September 2, 2013, during the Kosova Women’s Network bimonthly regular meeting, it was decided to give letter of recognition for merit to the world champion in judo who represented us and brought the gold medal, Majlinda Kelmendi and also Nora Gjakova, who won the eighth place at the World Championship in judo.

A delegation from KWN will visit them to congratulate for winning the golden medal and to give the recognitions, on Thursday September 2, 2013. As a world champion in Judo, Majlinda Kelmendi, is the first national heroine of the State of Kosova. Kosova Women’s Network members, congratulate both of them for winning and hope that both will become a good example for young women in Kosova, to realize their dreams, as Majlinda gave her message at the airport: “It does not matter where you start but what you aim. With dedication, work and willingness, everyone succeeds to achieve their goals”.

The Kosova Women’s Network (KWN) supports, protects and promotes the rights and the interests of women and girls throughout Kosova, regardless of their political beliefs, religion, age, level of education, sexual orientation and ability. KWN fulfills its mission through the exchange of experience and information, partnership and networking, research, advocacy and service. As a network of 105 women’s organizations of all ethnic groups from throughout Kosova, KWN advocates on behalf of Kosovar women, at the national, regional and international levels.

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms 

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security  

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 

Men Join KWN as Individual Members

02.09.2013

 

KWN recently launched its new Individual Membership Program. We’re pleased that three men already have joined as individual members! We want to take a moment to recognize individually each of these men who also have been great supporters of KWN’s work!
The first man to join KWN, Arber Sylejmani, developed our website, including creating our new membership form virtually overnight. He’s always around when we need him, responding quickly and supporting our work.
Second, Hajrullahu Ceku has collaborated closely with KWN in several actions, from street performances to protests to petitions. We feel his solidarity as an activist.
Then there’s Krenar Basha from Night Design who has played a vital role in developing KWN’s public relations materials. He too is always accessible, assisting with whatever we need, often under time restraints. An activist at heart, he promotes several causes through his talents as a designer and publisher. This includes printing on recycled paper with recycled ink and offering discounts to women’s organizations.
We welcome other men and women to join KWN as individual members. As a KWN admirer, friend or supporter, no longer do you need to have your own organisation to become a member. You only need to feel a desire to be part of our work. Please join us by writing to info@womensnetwork.org or filling out the application on our website.  KWN members can feel proud that they are part of a worldwide network of people committed to supporting, protecting and promoting the rights and interests of women and girls in Kosovo.

 

08.04.14

KWN Releases 2013 Annual Report

07.04.14

KWN Organizes Workshop: “Women Advocate Locally”

03.03.14

Members Gather for Bimonthly Meeting

05.02.14

Individual Member Innovative in Supporting KWN

04.02.14

Members, Stakeholders Evaluate Positively KWN’s Work

07.01.14

KWN Exchanges Experiences with Activists in Austria

Energized and motivated, KWN staff depart for Prishtina after the two-day retreat in Prevalle.

Retreat Energizes KWN Staff, Motivates Future Work

02.09.2013

Work combined with fun was the formula for an invigorating and productive KWN staff retreat, held on Aug. 1-2 in the beautiful mountains of Prevalle.

The personality profiles test was perhaps the most memorable activity. During this exercise, everyone took a quick, fun test to determine whether they were a mastermind, romantic, warrior and/or expert. Then the team discussed at length theirs and others’ personalities, identifying ways for improved interactions among colleagues, considering each person’s unique personality.
“This exercise was very helpful for me,” a KWN staff member said. “Now I understand even better my colleagues’ personalities, and I will know better how to act in different circumstances at work.”
Free time, games and meals together also provided open spaces for meaningful discussions among colleagues. Several photographs marked their journey. On the second day, staff members discussed KWN’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats during a “SWOT” analysis session. Several ideas arose from this reflective brainstorming session. The discussion focused not only on the needs of KWN staff, but also on what initiatives might contribute to strengthening the network and women’s organizing more broadly.
“Whatever we brainstorm and write, we should always remember the needs and challenges of our member organizations since we are here to serve our members,” said a staff member.
During this session, staff noted that while KWN has a mission statement, the network does not yet have a vision statement in writing. Team members collaborated to draft a vision statement, which will be proposed to KWN members for approval. Other issues identified at the retreat will also be provided to KWN members.
KWN staff members agreed that the retreat was relaxing, energizing and very productive in identifying key steps forward. On the way back to Prishtina, KWN staff felt they knew each other better and were energized for future joint actions together, as colleagues and friends.

 

08.04.14

KWN Releases 2013 Annual Report

07.04.14

KWN Organizes Workshop: “Women Advocate Locally”

03.03.14

Members Gather for Bimonthly Meeting

05.02.14

Individual Member Innovative in Supporting KWN

04.02.14

Members, Stakeholders Evaluate Positively KWN’s Work

07.01.14

KWN Exchanges Experiences with Activists in Austria