Fate of Kosovo’s Missing Persons Remains Unresolved

08.04.2014

Again this year on International Women’s Day, Mar. 8, KWN took to the streets, supporting the initiative of the association Thirrjet e Nënave (Mother’s Call). Mother’s Call and KWN organized a demonstration in solidarity with mothers, wives, sisters and daughters of missing persons with the motto: “We are with you.” Approximately 200 people marched from Zahir Pajaziti Square to the Assembly of Kosovo, bringing attention to the still unresolved fate of missing persons in Kosovo.
      As Kosovars celebrated International Women’s Day, women raised their voice and reminded everyone that they do not have family members with whom they can celebrate; after 15 years, their family members remain missing. They also wanted to replace the photos of still missing persons, removed from the gates of the Assembly of Kosova.  “For 15 years institutions have neglected and deceived us, while criminals run free,” said Nesrete Kumnova, Head of Mother’s Call. “Even those who have been punished received low sentences. There has been no justice for the thousands of persons who were murdered, raped and disappeared. We will return the photos of missing persons where they were because the case of missing persons remains unresolved.”
      Demonstrators re-hung photos of missing persons outside the Assembly, reminding officials of their duty to resolve this issue. Among demonstrators was Mayor of Prishtina Shpend Ahmeti with his children. Dozens of young men and women as well as a delegation from the South Caucuses also joined the demonstration.  

06.05.26

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30.04.26

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30.04.26

New Paper Monitors Gender Equality in Kosovo’s Public Spending

29.04.26

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Women in Black Serbia Remembers Crimes in Kosovo

08.04.2014

On Mar. 26,Women in Black Serbia held a performance in Belgrade, recognizing crimes committed by the Serbian regime against ethnic Albanian civilians 15 years ago. Women in Black reminded citizens of the forced deportation of over 800,000 Albanians from their homes and country, the abuse, the murder of civilians, the women raped, the properties burnt and the robberies that occurred.
“We express our deepest condolences and solidarity with the families for their losses, and the endless pain and humiliation that was caused by the Serbian regime in that time,” they said.
    Women in Black demanded that information about Albanian missing persons be published; information about mass graves in Serbia where the remains of Albanian persons are located be published; to take all actions aimed at prosecuting those responsible for crimes committed against Albanians; and to ensure that perpetrators receive appropriate penalties.
     Stasa Zajovic, Coordinator of Women in Black, said that the government of Serbia’s statements and promises so far have only been empty rhetoric. She said that the government must demonstrate that it is serious about dealing with the past and in order to break away “from the great burden of crime policy” carried out by the regime of Slobodan Milosevic. Activists held a banner in front of the monument Knjaz Mihaili that stated: “We remember the crime in Kosovo” in the Serbian language. It also contained the message: Women in Black against the war. 
 

06.05.26

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05.05.26

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30.04.26

Kosovo Hosts RESPONDER Partnership’s First Meeting, Co-Planning Research on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Aid Workers and Peacekeepers

30.04.26

From Struggle to Confidence: Supporting Girls in Their Teenage Years

30.04.26

New Paper Monitors Gender Equality in Kosovo’s Public Spending

29.04.26

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KFOR Officials Learn from Women’s Rights Activists’ Experiences, Contribute to UNSCR 1325 Implementation

08.04.2014

On Mar. 14, the NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR) Commander, Major-General Salvatore FARINA, welcomed women’s rights activists to speak to high officials regarding the position of women in Kosovo. KWN Executive Director Igballe Rogova informed KFOR officials, providing a chronology of women’s involvement in peace processes since 1994. This included Kosovo activists’ involvement in the former Yugoslavia’s Women in Black meetings, which fostered positive relations among all ethnic groups, facilitating post-conflict peace-building processes. “This experience taught us to detest the Serbian regime, but not Serbian people,” she said. Rogova also emphasized that money cannot buy reconciliation and that collaboration among ethnic groups must come “in our time and our way.” To evidence this, she shared stories from   KWN’s efforts to (re)build relations among Serbs and Albanians since 2000. Rogova also underlined the importance of men’s involvement in furthering gender equality in post-conflict situations.
     Aferdita Sylaj from Community Building Mitrovica (CBM) also spoke about the role that her organisation has played in building relations among diverse ethnic groups living in North Mitrovica.
     This high level discussion followed a meeting between Rogova, KFOR Gender Advisor Lotta Ekvall and KFOR Commander Major-General Salvatore Farina at Film City, Prishtina on Mar. 14. During the meeting, they discussed political issues, local elections and the situation of women in Kosovo.
     KWN welcomes and thanks KFOR for these recent efforts to implement UNSCR 1325 by consulting with women’s rights activists about the specific needs of women and girls in Kosovo’s post-conflict context.   

06.05.26

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05.05.26

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30.04.26

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30.04.26

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30.04.26

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29.04.26

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KWN Addresses Ministry, KSF on March 8

08.04.2014

On International Women’s Day Mar. 8, the Ministry for the Kosovo Security Forces (MKSF) and the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) organized a meeting with all civilian and military women serving in the Ministry and KSF at “Adem Jashari” Land Force Command (LFC). Participants included: MKSF Minister Agim Çeku, COMKSF Lt. Gen. Kadri Kastrati, COMKFOR General Salvatore Farina, Deputy Commander of LFC Brigadier General Gëzim Hazrolli, MKSF General Secretary Shkëlzen Sylaj, KWN Executive Director Igballe Rogova, Member of Parliament Ganimete Musliu, and members of the KSF Oversight Committee.
     “Women who work at the Ministry and Force are very active, committed and have constantly provided results in their work and service,” Minister Çeku said.
     COMKSF Lt. Gen. Kadri Kastrati strongly supported women’s engagement, stating, “I feel proud that I am the Commander of a Force that successfully serves women and men without distinction.”
     COMKFOR Major General Salvatore Farina expressed enthusiasm regarding the role of women in the armed forces and KSF’s achievements in recruiting women and treating them with dignity. He noted that the recruitment of women began only recently in all NATO countries; Italy started engaging women in the military in 2000. He congratulated Minister Çeku and General Kastrati for their attention to gender equality issues.

Rogova presented a history of women’s involvement related to International Women’s Day in Kosovo.

06.05.26

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05.05.26

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30.04.26

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30.04.26

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30.04.26

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29.04.26

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Association for Education and Family Care Offers Sex Education

08.04.2014

 The Association for Education and Family Care (AEFC) offers education about sexually transmitted diseases and drug abuse to elementary school children in Gjakova. The workshops provide crucial information in the absence of official curricula on these issues in Kosovo’s schools.
In an effort to make learning fun, AEFC organized a quiz at Fehmi Agani elementary school on Mar. 15 with pupils from Mazllom Këpuska and Fehmi Agani elementary schools. They competed enthusiastically, answering questions about HIV/AIDS and drugs. Both competing sides successfully answered all questions correctly. Therefore everyone won in the end. After the quiz, pupils and teachers shared more information.
“It is painful when we have the possibility to protect ourselves from these diseases, but we do not because we lack information about diseases,” said Meri Komoni, a pupil. “In the end, a life can be lost because of this.”
On Mar. 21, AEFC organized a roundtable with officers from the municipal Department of Education, school directors and representatives from the Family Health Centre. AEFC compiled a strategy, recommending the inclusion of sexual education as a subject in the school curricula in Gjakova.
“Our next target will be mothers,” said Bahrije Deva Vehapi who leads the initiative. “We will engage mothers and children towards overcoming communication barriers, so that they feel free to talk about these issues.”
     Considering that young women participating in KWN’s Young Women’s Empowerment Initiative have identified communication between parents and youth as a key challenge, AEFC’s initiative is helping to address youth’s concerns. AEFC has received support from the Kosovo Women’s Fund, supported by KtK and ADA.

06.05.26

Loud Enough: Film Screening Sparks Dialogue on Justice and Sexual Violence Survivors’ Rights

05.05.26

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30.04.26

Kosovo Hosts RESPONDER Partnership’s First Meeting, Co-Planning Research on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Aid Workers and Peacekeepers

30.04.26

From Struggle to Confidence: Supporting Girls in Their Teenage Years

30.04.26

New Paper Monitors Gender Equality in Kosovo’s Public Spending

29.04.26

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Members Begin Drafting KWN’s New Strategic Plan

08.04.2014

KWN members gathered at Hotel Prishtina on Mar. 10 to begin the process of drafting KWN’s new Strategic Plan for 2015-2018. They divided into groups based on KWN’s existing programs, discussing future objectives. KWN will hold additional planning meetings in Jun. and plans to approve the new strategy in fall 2014. 

06.05.26

Loud Enough: Film Screening Sparks Dialogue on Justice and Sexual Violence Survivors’ Rights

05.05.26

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30.04.26

Kosovo Hosts RESPONDER Partnership’s First Meeting, Co-Planning Research on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Aid Workers and Peacekeepers

30.04.26

From Struggle to Confidence: Supporting Girls in Their Teenage Years

30.04.26

New Paper Monitors Gender Equality in Kosovo’s Public Spending

29.04.26

Justice for survivors of gender-based violence: A success story from the Kosovo Women’s Network

President Creates Council for Sexual Violence Survivors

08.04.2014

In another crucial development, Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga established the National Council for Survivors of Sexual Violence during the War on Mar. 7, where KWN is a member.
“Fifteen years after the war, the topic of victims of sexual violence remains a taboo topic to be addressed,” President Jahjaga said during the Council’s first meeting, attended by local and international actors. “Survivors of sexual violence continue to suffer from serious psychological conditions, as well as social and economic hardships. They require institutional and societal support to cope with their difficult reality.”
     The Council brings together representatives of key ministries that can support violence survivors, civil society and international stakeholders towards an improved, better coordinated response.
      The Council was established in response to concerns and issues raised by women who had suffered sexual violence. President Jahjaga met with women to hear their concerns, in discussions facilitated by KWN. Through the Kosovo Women’s Fund (supported by Kvinna till Kvinna, KtK, and the Austrian Development Agency, ADA), KWN has supported women survivors in advocating for institutions to better address their needs. During the launch of the Council, KWN Executive Director spoke about the role of women’s organization played in supporting and advocating for the survivors of sexual violence. 
      British Foreign Secretary William Hague congratulated President Jahjaga and praised her initiative to establish the Council. He considered the work of the Council essential in supporting survivors and addressing the lack of accountability, radio Evropa e Lirë reported.
“It is significant progress since my visit last year when you explained that your country continues to face a number of challenges in addressing the issue of sexual violence during conflict,” said Hague. 

06.05.26

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05.05.26

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30.04.26

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30.04.26

New Paper Monitors Gender Equality in Kosovo’s Public Spending

29.04.26

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KWN Organizes Workshop: “Women Advocate Locally”

07.04.2014

KWN organized a two-day workshop in Durres on 28-30 Mar., seeking better cooperation between women in municipal assemblies and KWN member organizations. Within KWN’s Strategic Plan, an important goal is that women participate actively in politics and decision-making at local and national levels. KWN sees that active participation will be possible only via cooperation and joint advocacy on issues that women consider important at the local and nation levels.

During the workshop, women in politics and women’s organizations collaborated to create a joint plan for shared issues on which they can advocate together, towards improving the position of women at the local level.

Fifty women from the following municipalities participated: Prizren, Gjilan, Novo Brdo, Obilic, Dragash, Ferizaj, Viti, Drenas, Lipjan and Vushtrri.

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

Terms of Reference: Mid-term Review of Kosovo Women’s Fund

04.04.2014

Terms of Reference 

Mid-term Review of

Kosovo Women’s Fund

 

 

Background

The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) is a network of 77 organizations that supports, protects and promotes the rights and the interests of women and girls throughout Kosovo, regardless of their political beliefs, religion, age, level of education, sexual orientation, and ability.

In 2012-2014, KWN has received support from the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), co-financed by Kvinna till Kvinna (KtK), for a two-year project entitled “Supporting, protecting and promoting the rights and interests of women and girls.” This project has the overall goal that “Women’s and girls’ rights and interests supported, protected and promoted throughout Kosovo.” The project purpose is “Women’s participation in municipal decision-making processes increased and improved through capacity development of Gender Equality Advocacy Groups (GEAGs) and women’s organizations. The project should have the following expected results by December 2014:

1.    KWN members better able to plan, fundraise for, and undertake effective advocacy initiatives, particularly at the municipal level. This result will be achieved through a “learning by doing approach” in implementing projects funded through the Kosovo Women’s Fund.

2.    KWN members involve more women in decision-making processes, particularly in rural areas and from minority or marginalized groups.

3.    Sustainable GEAGs established in five new municipalities and capacity strengthened of all 13 GEAGs.

KWN seeks an independent mid-term review of this project.

Purpose

This review shall assess KWN’s project, “Supporting, protecting and promoting the rights and interests of women and girls.” It shall have two main purposes: 1) examine the extent to which the expected results and project purpose have been achieved, to date, bearing in mind that the project will be completed in December 2014. The mid-term review will contribute to accountability towards stakeholders and Austrian taxpayers by independently verifying the project’s initial results. 2) The external review will contribute to improving existing methods, policies and processes used as part of this project. The recommendations will inform planning for the potential continuation of this project in 2015 and beyond. It will propose concrete recommendations towards strengthening KWN’s relevant programs (the Fund and GEAGs) in the future.

Objectives

The mid-term review is being carried out for KWN and its supporters, ADA and KtK, to assess progress to date and identify future needs. The review will take place a year and a half into the project so that it can evaluate initial results and at the same time inform planning for the potential continuation of the project. As the project will not have been entirely completed, the review will necessarily focus on initial results achieved. At the same time, review of processes, policies, and methods will occur in time to inform planning for the potential continuation of the project in 2015.

The review will assess the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact, and sustainability of the project, to date, bearing in mind the time period of the project. It will provide an independent view of the successes, challenges, and lessons learnt to date, towards improving both the Fund and GEAGs. It will also discuss the potential for ‘scaling up’ the project.

Subject and Focus (Scope)

The review shall cover the duration of the entire project completed to date, as of the date when the review begins. It shall cover all interventions proposed within the original Project Document submitted to ADA. Its geographic range shall include all of Kosovo, focusing on areas where target groups and beneficiaries are located. The review will focus on efficiency and effectiveness. Where possible, it will discuss impact and sustainability, but will bear in mind that, as a mid-project review, limited assessment can be made of the project’s impact and sustainability. Cross-cutting issues of gender and environment should also be considered, where possible. Evaluators should verify the extent to which KWN has achieved the targets set forth in its intervention logic (e.g., logframe), bearing in mind that the project will not yet have been completed.

Main Questions

More specifically, the review shall address the following questions:

1.  Relevance: How relevant has this project been to the current context in Kosovo, particularly the needs of the project’s target groups and beneficiaries?

2.  Efficiency: How efficient has KWN’s work been as part of this project?

3.  Effectiveness: How effective has KWN’s work been as part of this project? To what extent has KWN achieved the expected results, project purpose, and overall objective set forth in its original proposal to ADA (in accordance with its intervention logic)?

4.  Impact: What has been the impact of KWN capacity development support on its member organizations, to date? To date, what have been the intended and unintended impacts of KWF grant recipients’ initiatives on their beneficiaries at the household, local, and municipal levels?

5.  Sustainability: How sustainable are the changes achieved to date and what may be the challenges to sustainability at various levels: individual (e.g., knowledge, relations with other organizations and institutions), organizational, institutional, financial, and cooperation with stakeholders for grant recipients and their projects (as short-term initiatives by definition)?

6.  Learning: What are the greatest needs of the target groups (including women’s organizations and GEAGs) for the future in terms of future KWN support and/or services (both funding and capacity development options)? What are the capacity development needs for KWN staff involved in this program, if any?

Approach Methods

The consultant (or consulting team) shall be responsible for developing the specific methodology for carrying out the review. They will be requested to further specify their methodology within their Inception Report. The expectations at each phase of the review are as follows:

1.      Start-up meeting (in person or via Skype) with KWN representatives, ADA, and KtK for any needed clarifications

2.      Produce Inception Report with detailed explanation of the methodology, on which they will receive input/feedback from KWN, KtK, and ADA. This will require a desk review of project documents and files, including the recent External Evaluation of the Kosovo Women’s Fund conducted with support from KtK.

3.      Field Study: The study will take place in the Republic of Kosovo (Prishtina-based with day travel throughout Kosovo). It will involve at least the following:

o  Interviews with relevant KWN staff

o  Interviews with a sample of grant recipients

o  Interviews with a sample of grant recipients’ beneficiaries and target groups

o  Interviews with local institutions and other stakeholders with which grant recipients have worked

o  Interviews with a sample of members of GEAGs

o  Interviews with other key external stakeholders (e.g., potential donors)

4.      Oral Debriefing: At the end of the field study, the evaluators shall make a brief oral presentation of initial findings and preliminary recommendations to KWN, ADA, and KtK, receiving feedback.

5.      Draft Report: The evaluators shall prepare a report for review and input by KWN. The evaluators shall respond to (though not necessarily accept) all comments on the draft report.

6.      Final Report: The evaluators shall submit a final report that responds to all comments made on the draft report.

All data shall be collected and interpreted in a gender-disaggregated manner. The OECD DAC Evaluation Quality Standards must be applied and compliance with these must be comprehensible in the review. Further the review shall be carried out in accordance with the Austrian Development Cooperation “Guidelines for Project and Programme Evaluations” (2009).

Anticipated Working Days

The assignment shall take place between 5 May 2014 and 4 July 2014. It is anticipated to take approximately 22.7 working days, as described in the table below.  

 

…continues

For the full call please contact info@womensnetwork.org 

06.05.26

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05.05.26

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30.04.26

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Nesrete Kumnova from Thirjet e Nënave invites citizens to demand that the government fulfil its promises with regard to missing persons.

8 March: Women Seek Address, Justice for Missing Persons

03.03.2014

On 8 Mar. 2014, International Women’s Day, with the initiative of the association “Thirjet e Nënave” (Mother’s Call), KWNwill organize a protest to support mothers, wives, sisters and daughters of missing persons with the motto: “We are with you.” KWN and Thirjet e Nënave invite citizens to “Zahir Pajaziti” Square at 11:3 0, from which they will march at 12:00 to the Assembly of Kosova.

      A year ago, photos of missing persons were removed from fences of the Assembly of Kosova with the promise that a memorial would be constructed for missing persons. That promise was never realized.
     “For 15 years they have neglected and deceived us, while criminals run free,” said Nesrete Kumnova, Head of Thirrjet e Nënave. “Even those who are punished receive low or decreased sentences.  There has been no justice for the thousands of persons who were murdered, raped and disappeared. We will return the photos of missing persons where they were because the case of missing persons is still unresolved.”

06.05.26

Loud Enough: Film Screening Sparks Dialogue on Justice and Sexual Violence Survivors’ Rights

05.05.26

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30.04.26

Kosovo Hosts RESPONDER Partnership’s First Meeting, Co-Planning Research on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Aid Workers and Peacekeepers

30.04.26

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30.04.26

New Paper Monitors Gender Equality in Kosovo’s Public Spending

29.04.26

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