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.

 

 

06.05.26

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

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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

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

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.” 

06.05.26

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

05.05.26

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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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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. 

06.05.26

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

05.05.26

Investing in Gender Equality in the EU Budget through Research Funding

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

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.

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

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.

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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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.

 

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

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29.04.26

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

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.

06.05.26

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

05.05.26

Investing in Gender Equality in the EU Budget through Research Funding

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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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.

06.05.26

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

05.05.26

Investing in Gender Equality in the EU Budget through Research Funding

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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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.”

06.05.26

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

05.05.26

Investing in Gender Equality in the EU Budget through Research Funding

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

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. 

06.05.26

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

05.05.26

Investing in Gender Equality in the EU Budget through Research Funding

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