Valentina Bunjaku-Rexhepi in Gjilan is the first women Head of an Assembly.

KWN Visits the Head of the Assembly of Gjilan

05.02.2014

Valentina Bunjaku-Rexhepi has been elected to head the Assembly of Gjilan. This is the first time that this post has been held by a woman within this Municipality.
KWN representatives visited Mrs. Bunjaku-Rexhepi on 27 Jan., to congratulate her.
“Mostly, I have been elected by women, and I will commit to furthering gender equality in our Municipality,” she said.
    A loud advocate for women’s rights not just in the Assembly, but also outside, she received the most votes as a candidate in Gjilan, particularly from women.
    Born in 1978 in Gjilan, Valentina Bunjaku-Rexhep, professor of Mathematics, is also involved in activities outside politics.  She is President of the women’s football club “Drita”. She feels honoured to serve as the head of the Assembly. She feels even prouder that she gained the trust of the majority of councillors from other political parties.

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Bent Plays in Prishtina Theatre, “Breaks Taboos”

05.02.2014

Following its worldwide travels, people from Kosovo had the opportunity to see the play Bent by Marin Sherman in Prishtina on 21-22 Jan. The play, directed by Andrej Nosov, addresses the topic of homosexuality in Nazi camps. Its cast involves actors and human rights activists: Alban Ukaj, Branko Cvejic, Radovan Vujovic, Boris Ler and Drasko Adzic.
The play enticed a lot of emotions and captured the attention of Kosovo media. It has “broken taboos,” according to Koha.net.
    Spectators filled Prishtina’s Oda theatre, offering an elongated standing ovation following each performance.
“This play had a very good topic and performance,” commented Prishtina Mayor Shpend Ahmeti, who was among the audience members. “It deals with the persecution of people because of their beliefs and their sexual orientation. Therefore it talks about human rights, topics that usually are considered taboo. In this context, art can educate people,” he said.
    The play was produced in cooperation with the Hartefakt Fund based in Belgrade and the LGBT advocacy group Centre for Equality and Liberty (CEL) in Prishtina.
 After the play, CEL organized a discussion with journalists and audience members.

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KWN Contributes to EPLO Report on UNSCR 1325

05.02.2014

KWN has contributed to a broader research initiative monitoring the implementation of United Nation Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, published by the European Peace building Liaison Office (EPLO) in 2013.
Following its prior monitoring exercises, such as 1325 Facts and Fables, KWN’s most recent case study suggested that Kosovo has made “significant progress” towards implementing this Resolution since 2010.
“While Kosovo has yet to adopt a National Action Plan (NAP) on UNSCR 1325, the process of drafting a NAP has involved an inter-sector               Working Group with representatives of key institutions and civil society,” KWN’s case study concluded. “The NAP’s future implementation will depend on whether the Working Group is able to define more clearly institutional responsibilities for activities, budget allocation and monitoring.”

 

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During the Annual Meeting, KWN members evaluate KWN’s performance in 2013.

Members, Stakeholders Evaluate Positively KWN’s Work

04.02.2014

 Another year was concluded with the traditional KWN Annual Membership Meeting, held on 7 Dec., where our members, among other activities, evaluated KWN’s work. Each year members, partners and other stakeholders complete an anonymous questionnaire about the network’s programs and services.
Respondents evaluated KWN’s work during 2013 very positively. They found KWN’s meetings and services “very useful”. Respondents felt that KWN’s biggest successes included implementing its strategy, awareness raising activities and theKosovo Women’s Fund. They also mentioned that with KWN support they submitted 121 project proposals to various donors last year.
“We are small organizations and lack experience in many fields,” one member wrote. “KWN trainings helped us a lot.”
“While applying for grants from the Kosovo Women’s Fund, we learned how to write a project proposal. This is a very big thing for us,” another member said.
Members think that KWF should be supported by local businesses and it also could be presented in other countries in order to find other possible funding.
Respondents also found KWN’s electronic newsletter Kosovar Women’s Voice, website and Facebook page “very useful”.
While they said that KWN staff help them a lot, they would like staff to visit them more often. For this reason, KWN staff plan to organize more visits to members in 2014.

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Baroness Catherine Ashton Replies to Activists

04.02.2014

Women’s rights organizations from Kosovo, Serbia and Sweden, including KWN, Mitrovica Women’s Association for Human Rights, Women in Black and Kvinna till Kvinna sent a letter to High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, European External Action Service (EEAS), Baroness Catherine Ashton on 4 Dec. 2013.
In the letter, they said that United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security had not been implemented during recent talks between Kosovo and Serbia.
Baroness Catherine Ashton responded on 21 Jan. 2014. She thanked activists for their interest in contributing to the process of normalising relations between Belgrade and Prishtina.
“I look forward to meeting you in the course of my next visit to Pristina and Belgrade,” she wrote.
Click here to view her letter.

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OPDMK Advocates for Accessibility Ramps for Institutions in Prizren

30.01.2014

Persons with disabilities do not enjoy opportunities equal to the rest of the population in Kosovo. In many cases, they remain isolated from society. In order to address this, the Organization for Persons with Muscular Dystrophy in Kosovo (OPDMK) held roundtable discussions with representatives from responsible institutions, other non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and media. During meetings,

OPDMK advocated for persons with disabilities to have access to public institutions. They also raised awareness among responsible institutions about the importance of actively engaging all stakeholders to respect the rights of persons with disabilities. Representatives of the local assembly promised greater engagement and proposed that a regulation would be initiated, which would better regulate issues faced by persons with special needs. “We achieved for 27 out of 50 points of access to public buildings to be accessible for persons with muscular dystrophy,” stated Antigona Shestan from OPDMK. “This was to address the isolation that many people with disabilities face, OPDMK also gathered people with special needs from throughout Kosovo so they could socialize and discuss issues of mutual interest. They held electronic and regular wheelchair races at a local private high school, “Loyola”. realized through close cooperation with the Public Services Department of our Municipality. In total, the initiative directly benefitted 139 people.

However, indirectly many more people with limited mobility and parents with strollers also have benefitted from improved access to public buildings in Prizren. Another achievement is that a representative of OPDMK was proposed to become a member of the Municipal Council for Community Security. Within the council, she will be able to continue advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities.

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During the “Know Your Rights” campaign, famous performers interact with women in various municipalities.

“Know Your Rights” Campaign Uses Culture to Education Citizens about Rights

21.01.2014

The National Action Plan, Gender Equality Law, Anti-discrimination Law and Family Law, all promulgated in 2003 and 2004, are huge accomplishments for gender equality. They facilitate the promotion and protection of human rights in Kosova. However, social problems such as violence against women, trafficking for prostitution, low enrollment of girls in schools and at the University, a high female poverty rate, gender discrimination in the business world, and lack of female representation in politics still plague Kosova.

While gender mechanisms exist at the political level, many men and women remain unaware of their rights, how to access the protection provided by the new laws, or how to utilize the services of the Ombudsperson. Thus, implementing the laws and fully realizing the potential for social change remain difficult.

The KWN “Know Your Rights” campaign aimed to inform citizens about their rights and existing gender mechanisms through artistic plays. Five famous Kosovar performers gathered to tell stories that explained the aforementioned gender mechanisms. Performers utilized popular media including plays and songs as education tools in hopes of better reaching Kosovar citizens. The actors used monologues and dialogues to interact directly with the audience and to draw the audience into their act. Dialogues between actors dramatized women’s experiences, portraying situations in which gender mechanisms could be used. The plays were based on women’s real life experiences.

The campaign was launched on November 29 in Prishtina, marking the International Day against Violence against Women. The performance was repeated in Prizren on December 2nd and in Mitrovica on December 3rd. The campaign continued in 2005, reaching municipalities throughout Kosova. It was financially supported by UNIFEM, and RTV 21 was the media sponsor.

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KWN visits the new Mayor of the Municipality of Gjakova, Mrs. Mimoza Kusari-Lila on 20 Jan.

Activists Congratulate Kosovo’s First Woman Mayor: Kusari-Lila

21.01.2014

 For the first time since Kosovo’s Independence citizens have elected a woman to serve them as Mayor. A Kosova Women’s Network (KWN) delegation visited Mrs. Mimoza Kusari-Lila, the new Mayor of the Municipality of Gjakova on 20 January.
“Mrs. Kusari-Lila is legendary,” activists said. “She broke the ice by becoming the first woman mayor of a municipality in Kosova.”
During the meeting they discussed strategies for economically empowering women in the Municipality of Gjakova; reviving the professional theatre Corps of Gjakova; preserving the cultural heritage of Gjakova; encouraging women to participate in annual craft fairs; ensuring gender responsive budgeting; and supporting women’s organizations in the Municipality of Gjakova.
The Mayor expressed her appreciation for KWN’s work and her readiness for future cooperation.
“I will ensure women in the Municipality of Gjakova play a greater role in decision-making and are included in various spheres of life, especially business,” said Kusari-Lila.
KWN also asked when the “Museum House” of the Qerkezi family would be officially recognized (see below). Kusari-Lila already had a plan in place.
“In addition to declaring it a museum, this house also will have a person who will maintain it and will serve as a tourist guide,” said Kusari-Lila.
After meeting Kusari-Lila, the KWN delegation met representatives of the Association Mothers’ Call (Thirrjet e Nënave) at the museum house of the Qerkezi family in Gjakova. They recognized the loss suffered by this family during the war, when 11 men were taken by Serbian forces and remain missing today. KWN and Mothers’ Call discussed organizing another joint action with regard to missing persons. Together, the two organizations will undertake a street action on 8 March 2014 to call once again for progress with regard to missing persons in Kosovo.
Despite dozens of protests and hunger strikes, more than 17,000 people remain missing since the war. Mothers’ call is an organization of women with missing family members, still tirelessly advocating for their loved ones be found.

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Hilmijeta Apuk from Mitrovica received the Human Rights Award from UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon on 10 Dec.

Hilmijeta Apuk Receives UN Human Rights Award

07.01.2014

Marking the International Day of Human Rights at UN headquarters in New York, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recognized on 10 Dec. six people who have fought for human rights. Among them was Hilmijeta Apuk from Mitrovica, Kosovo.
Apuk has advocated in Kosovo and abroad for the rights of persons with disabilities for more than 30 years.  She served as a member of the Ad Hoc Committee of the UN General Assembly, which drafted the Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. She cofounded and directs the Little People of Kosova, a non-profit organization.  She also serves as the national coordinator for an awareness campaign towards employing persons with disabilities. In her spare time, Apuk is an artist, working to promote the rights of persons with disabilities through her art. 
     “This award is very important for me in my work and for Kosovo, my country,” Apuk said. “It strengthens the voice of people with disabilities, including myself, and encourages us to continue our work towards human rights.”
     The UN Secretary-General gives this award every five years to persons and organizations that have contributed to protecting human rights. Prior recipients have included Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King and Benazir Butto.

 

 

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KWN gathers 120 participants at its 11th Annual Membership Meeting, held on 7 Dec. 2013, at Sheshi 21 in Prishtina.

KWN Recognizes Artists Contributing to Women’s Rights

07.01.2014

Approximately 120 representatives of KWN member organizations, donors, partners, supporters and media attended the Kosova Women’s Network’s 11th Annual Membership Meeting on 7 Dec. at Sheshi 21 in Prishtina. During the meeting, KWN recognized 17 artists and organizations that have contributed to furthering women’s and girls’ rights.    
     “This event was very good and necessary,” said Kadire Tahiraj from the Centre for the Promotion of Women’s Rights. “The work that KWN did this year was very successful. KWN is the only place where women’s organizations can find support.” 
     Following a performance by “Lira” Women’s Choir, a KWN member organization, Ariana Qosaj-Mustafa, KWN Chair of the Board, opened the meeting. On behalf of KWN, she recognized the following women artists for their contributions to women’s and girls’ rights: NGO Artpolis, Arta Dobroshi, Antoneta Kastrati, Blerta Zeqiri, Burbuqe Berisha, Doruntina Basha, Eliza Hoxha, Flaka Haliti, HAVE IT, Iliriana Loxha-Basha, Kaltrina Krasniqi, “Lira” Women’s Choir, Rona Nishliu, Rita Ora, Sevdie Kastrati, Venera Mustafa and Zake Prelvukaj.
     Then KWN Executive Director Igballe Rogova reported to members regarding KWN’s work and achievements in 2013, showing short films to tell our story. Nermin Mahmuti, a KWN Board member and member of the Kosovo Women’s Fund’s Grant Review Committee, spoke about the challenges faced and results of the Fund this year. Representatives of the following member organizations that received grants from the Fund also shared their experiences, challenges and successes: the Organization of Persons with Muscular Dystrophy of Kosovo from Prizren; Rikotta from Prishtina; the Committee of Blind Women of Kosova from Prishtina; and the Centre for the Promotion of Women’s Rights from Drenas.
     “KWN has empowered all of us member organizations that work for women’s rights,” a member said. “Creating the Kosovo Women’s Fund was of great importance because it gave organizations that lack funds the opportunity to work.”
     During the meeting, members completed anonymous evaluation forms regarding KWN’s performance in 2013, and evaluation results will be distributed in 2014. The evaluation process provides members with the opportunity to express their thoughts, as well as their needs and requests for future KWN services.
     KWN members also elected three new Board members, as part of the regular board rotation process.  The new members of KWN’s seven-member board are: Sevdije Ahmeti (48 votes), Zana Hoxha-Krasniqi (36 votes) and Belgjyzare Muharremi (29 votes). Members also agreed that Sevdije Ahmeti should remain a permanent member of the KWN Board. All members present at the meeting unanimously approved this proposal. Other candidates who did not receive sufficient votes for joining KWN’s Board included Valdete Idrizi (24 votes), Sarah Maliqi (16 votes) and Nita Luci (13 votes).
     “It is my pleasure to be part of 11th Annual Membership Meeting of KWN,” said Drita Vukshinaj from the Association of Women with Disabilities “Women for Women”. “KWN gathers us all and reports on the work they have done. They are very transparent. They empowered not just me, but all of the organizations that are part of this network.” 

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