OPMDK gathered people with special needs from throughout Kosovo in a competition that included chess, street ball, ping pong and wheelchair races, on Dec. 14 in Prizren.

OPMDK Holds Competition for People with Special Needs

07.01.2014

 The Organization of Persons with Muscular Dystrophy of Kosovo (OPMDK) gathered people with special needs from throughout Kosovo in a competition that included chess, street ball, ping pong and wheelchair races. The competition created a space for having fun and meeting new friends.
“I feel very good,” said Fatime Gerguraj, a participant. “I like the games a lot. Also, this is very good for us because we are meeting new friends.”
     Since participants came from diverse cities, the competition provided an opportunity for them to socialize, as well as to become involved in various sports.
    “I myself have special needs, and I think this enabled effective organizing,” said Resmije Rrahmani from OPMDK. “I don’t like it when people without disabilities organize these types of events because they don’t understand our needs in the same way that we understand each other. When we organize something, I plan everything because I have the same problems that others face with stairs, bathrooms and transportation.”
     In the end, OPMDK recognized the winners and persons who support OPMDK. 

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KWN representatives took part in an exchange visit in Austria on 9-12 Dec.

KWN Exchanges Experiences with Activists in Austria

07.01.2014

KWN and Sudwind organized a five-day study visit in Austria. During the visit, women activists from Kosovo learned more about the position of women in Austria.
The visit began in Sant Polten (Sankt Pölten), the capital city of the region of Lower Austria. Participants met successful women politicians, discussing participation in politics and decision making, domestic violence and women’s inheritance rights. The next day, participants drove to another city, Hibps, where they visited a women’s shelter, learned how they deal with domestic violence and discussed the legal mechanisms in place for punishing abusers and treating victims. On the third day they visited Danube University in the city of Krems. Participants discussed women’s position within institutions and criteria for selecting job applicants.
In Sant Polten, they visited NGO Sudwind, learning about their work related to fair trade: selling products for their real value so those who make products do not face discrimination. On the last day they visited the Ministry of Women’s Affairs in Vienna. Participants learned about the Ministry and its work.
“This exchange of experiences has been very useful for us,” said Shefkije Mehmet, Head of the Municipal Assembly in Novoberdo. “We had the chance to meet women leaders working in various high level government institutions; visit those institutions; and learn from the experiences of these women.”
Following this very informative exchange, participants from Kosovo concluded that women in Austria (a “developed” country) face very several similar issues as women in Kosovo: they continue to fight for women’s rights as human rights; several women still suffer domestic violence; women who possess the same qualifications as men receive lower salaries; and there are fewer women in decision-making positions than men. The only difference, they concluded, was that women in Austria have stronger legal mechanisms towards furthering women’s rights.
The exchange visit was made possible with support from the Austrian Development Agency.

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Nafije Latifi from Jeta-Vita recognizes President Jahjaga with a Certificate of Appreciation for her contribution in fighting breast cancer.

Jeta-Vita Recognizes President’s Fight against Breast Cancer

07.01.2014

On 17 Dec., the President of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga welcomed Nafije Latifi, Executive Director of the Kosovo Centre for Fighting Breast Cancer Jeta-Vita, Minire Zuna-Bunjaku, a member of the Centre’s Board and Igballe Rogova, KWNExecutive Director.
During the visit, Jeta-Vita expressed their gratitude for the President’s contribution and commitment to fighting breast cancer. On 12 Oct., President Jahjaga supported Jeta-Vita’s annual initiative that gathered citizens in marching with the motto: “Early Detection Equals Survival”.
During their visit, the delegation presented President Jahjaga with a Certificate of Appreciation.
“In this way we want to express our gratitude for Mrs. Jahjaga’s contribution and commitment in fighting breast cancer,” said Nafije Latifi.

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The innovative documentary “SEVEN” was screened on 30 Nov., at the Palace of Youth and Sports in Prishtina.

SEVEN Involves Women’s Rights Activists in Kosovo

07.01.2014

On 30 Sep., the innovative documentary “SEVEN” was screened at the Palace of Youth and Sports in Prishtina. SEVEN is a Swedish documentary that portrays the stories of seven women’s rights activists around the world, including women from Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia, Northern Ireland, Cambodia and Guatemala.
     The innovative concept of the show involves bringing on stage seven women’s rights activists, public figures and politicians to read the stories of the seven women portrayed in the film.
     SEVEN’s ensemble in Kosovo included: Suzana Novoberdaliu, Member of the Parliament of the Republic of Kosovo and Head of the Parliamentary Committee for Human Rights; Anamari Repic, Deputy Head of public television station RTK; Saranda Bogujevci, an artist and survivor of the Bogujevci family massacre that occurred in March 1999; Rajmonda Sylbije, a Human Rights Activist from NGO CEL; Linda Gusia, a sociologist and feminist; Vesa Qena, a playwright and performer in “Have It” performance group; and Shpresa Agushi, Director of the Network of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Women’s Organizations of Kosovo.
   SEVEN was initially created by Paula Cizmar, Catherine Filloux, Gail Kriegel, Carol K. Mack, Ruth Margraff, Anna Deveare-Smith and Susan Yankowitz, together with the Vital Voices Global Partnership. The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and Civil Rights Defenders (CRD) supported SEVEN’s screening in Kosovo.

 

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Activists Demand Women’s Participation in Kosovo Talks

07.01.2014

Women’s rights activists from Kosovo, Serbia and Sweden sent a letter to High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, EEAS, Baroness Catherine Ashton on 4 Dec. regarding failures to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security during the ongoing talks between Kosovo and Serbia. Activists noted that women from civil society had not been included in the talks. Activists urged Baroness Ashton to: ensure that the principles of right to information, participation, and non-discrimination are observed in the dialogue; facilitate regular consultations with women’s organisations and civil society and include their input in the dialogue; request that government representatives of Kosovo and Serbia participate in civil society consultations; ensure that UNSCR 1325 is mainstreamed into any future agreements; consider supporting women groups financially and politically, as appropriate; and ensure that the governments of Kosovo and Serbia adopt and implement their national action plans on 1325, updating plans with targets related to the dialogue, in consultation with women groups.
The signatories of the letter, sent via Kvinna till Kvinna, included: Igballe Rogova fromKWN; Vetone Veliu from the Mitrovica Women’s Association for Human Rights; Stanislavka Zajović from Women in Black Belgrade; and Lena Ag from the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation in Sweden. The letter also was sent to the ambassadors of all EU member states. The full letter is available here.

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Mayor of Prishtina, Shpend Ahmeti, visits KWN on 23 Dec.

New Prishtina Mayor Ahmeti Meets KWN Representatives

23.12.2013

The recently elected Mayor of Prishtina, Shpend Ahmeti, visited KWN on 23 Dec. He was the first mayor of Prishtina to ever visit KWN’s office.
KWN shared information about the organization’s Strategic Plan and programs. Mayor Ahmeti expressed his readiness to cooperate with KWN, particularly towards empowering women and girls.

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Women members of Ikebana in Shtrpce dry teas with support from the KWN Kosovo Women’s Fund.

Ikebana Functions Independently, Produces Teas

19.12.2013

An interethnic group of women in Shtrpce always dreamed of forming an organization through which they could collect and market herbal teas. They aimed to prepare products with quality ingredients in an environmentally friendly manner. Some of medicinal plants with which they wanted to work are well-known in the pharmaceutical industry.  With support from the Kosovo Women’s Fund (from ADA) and Caritas Switzerland, they were able to realize their dream, opening their organization, “Ikebana.”
However, establishing a new organization is no easy task. Ikebana members needed support in order to establish systems, policies and procedures for their organization to function independently. KWN staff members provided mentoring to support them in developing these. With KWN support, they also purchased machines for drying and producing teas. They began work, learning from each other. They also took part in trainings that equipped them with theoretical and practical information. They used their knowledge to begin collecting and producing teas in June. Although they began as a small group, with time their group has grown.
“We were constantly looking to find a way to start working, to show that we can work,” said Ankica Zivkovic, the Executive Director of Ikebana. “Now with funds from KWN, we are showing our potential. We are very thankful to the Kosovo Women’s Fund for this opportunity.”

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Participants celebrate the new Centre for Gender Studies and Research at the University of Prishtina.

University Establishes Centre for Gender Studies, Research

19.12.2013

The Institute for Social Studies and Humanities (ISSH) of the University of Prishtina and Gender Research Institute at Dartmouth (GRID) College launched together the Centre for Gender Studies and Research (CGSR) at ISSH on 24 Nov.
Earlier in the day, ISSH and GRID organized a workshop, which resulted from one year’s cooperation between ISSH and Dartmouth College. The workshop gathered representatives of civil society, Kosovo institutions, national and international agencies and academic staff in identifying the objectives of this initiative.
     The Centre’s goal is to provide a national body of scholarship and analysis that will help leaders in Kosovo and the Balkans as they implement policies that support gender equity. The Centre also will serve as a forum for events and programs designed to foster skills that prepare women for leadership roles. The need for such a Centre has been articulated by scholars in the region. The initiative to establish the Centre arose as a result of the President of Kosovo’s International Women’s Summit and its resulting “Prishtina Principles”.
     “This initiative reflects upon the responsibilities which we carry and which we must take upon ourselves in order to advance the position of women in our society, whether we are leaders of the public, political or academic institutions, members of the private sector or civil society, ordinary citizens,” said Atifete Jahjaga, President of the Republic of Kosovo, during her speech at the Centre’s official opening ceremony.
     This Centre will address the aforementioned problems by conducting research and analysis that can be used to inform policy and create a core of scholarship that will serve the nation and the region going forward. The centre will also provide a forum where scholars can exchange ideas and partner with government agencies to move those ideas directly into action. 

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Forum Theatre Empowers Women from the Region

19.12.2013

Women from the region gathered in the beautiful city of Prizren on 8-11 Nov. for a workshop on “Using Theatre as a Tool for Empowering Women.” Organized by KWN’s member organization Artpolis, this was the first regional workshop of its kind. The training involved Forum Theatre, an innovative and influential type of theatre created for teaching people how to change their world. It includes interactive sessions between players and audience. At the end of the play, the audience can discuss issues raised by actors and make suggestions. Using Forum Theatre, Artpolis aimed to empower women participants from Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia. During the three-day workshop participants learned Forum Theatre. Via small groups, they created Forum Theatre plays on different topics. Debates followed, during which other participants shared ideas and experiences.
     “I had a really good time,” said Nadja Duhacek from Women in Black in Serbia. “We had the chance to exchange experiences with one another. I met old friends and created new friendships. The activity was all very practical and empowering.”
     In the evenings, participants walked around the historic city of Prizren and celebrated during a party on the third evening of the training. The workshop received support from Kvinna till Kvinna.
     “It was a very good experience and we had a great time together,” said a participant. 

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Forum participants show their power, wearing T-shirts that state, “This is what a feminist looks like,” at the 2013 Regional Young Feminists Forum, held on 13-14 Nov. in Prishtina.

Young Feminists Strategize, Impress Officials

19.12.2013

 On 13-14 Nov., 40 young feminists from throughout Kosovo and neighbouring countries (e.g., Serbia, Macedonia, Croatia) gathered in Prishtina to spend two amazing working days. Organized by KWN and supported by Kvinna till Kvinna, the 2013 Regional Young Feminists Forum involved young women in deliberating over domestic and global issues. The main issue raised by young women was access to education.
Young women from Kosovo and the region presented advocacy activities in which they are involved. They exchanged information and learnt from each other’s experiences as well as struggles. Then they divided into groups to discuss issues raised during Young Women’s Empowerment Initiative (YWEI) meetings held throughout Kosovo, advocacy strategies, feminism and women’s participation in decision-making. They created advocacy strategies for the next day.
The second day, groups focusing on the need for psychologists in schools and access to education met with officials from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. Officials willingly responded to their questions and the ideas presented.
“I was amazed by the will of the MEST officials to answer our questions and give practical recommendations to us,” said one young feminist. “The meeting lasted an hour more than was foreseen.”
Another group visited Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga, President of the Republic of Kosovo. They presented orally the main issues raised by young women during the Forum. The President was very attentive, engaging and supportive. She said that young women are the future of Kosovo, and they should have support. After the official meeting, the President continued the discussion with young women, exchanging ideas.
“The President of Kosovo warmly welcomed us, expressed interest about what we had to say and even hosted us for 15 minutes extra,” said one young feminist. “Meeting the President is not something we can do every day, so it was special.”
The “Media” working group focused on how to write a simple article and speak on camera. They also discussed how media portray women and girls with unacceptable language and unethical reporting.
“A very important thing that we learnt was that in case we read, hear or watch inappropriate or incorrect news, we should report it to the Press Council of Kosovo or Independent Media Commission, depending on the type of media,” said a young feminist.
The next day, three young women put their new skills to use, appearing on RTV21’s morning program to present issues discussed at the Forum.
Finally, seven young women in the working group focusing on “Art & Organizing” prepared a Street Action, supported by Artpolis. It addressed “Discrimination at work – Promotion at work” for women. All Forum participants gathered in front of the National Theatre for the performance, which was later shown in most Kosovo media.
“The street action was a concrete example of what you can achieve by organizing and working in groups,” said a young feminist. “We really passed the message to people passing by, as well as through all TV stations present there.”
In the end, Forum participants reviewed the Forum Declaration, amended it and voted for its approval. The Declaration demands implementation of the 30% quota for women’s and men’s participation in decision-making processes; implementation of the pre-university education law; transportation and books for all students attending compulsory education; psychologists in schools; and implementation of the Code of Conduct for written and electronic media.
The Declaration was sent to Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga, President of the Republic of Kosovo; Mr. Hashim Thaçi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo; the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology; the Ministry of Finance; the Agency for Gender Equality; the Parliament of the Republic of Kosovo; the Independent Media Commission and the Press Council of Kosovo.

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