KWN Supports Shelters, Efforts against Gender-based Violence

Kosova lacks the necessary infrastructure to support women and children suffering from gender-based violence. The existing shelters that protect victims of violence lack sufficient financial support for providing adequate healthcare to victims, adequately protecting them and assisting with their reintegration into society. In addition, there is a lack of consistent coordination among all actors dealing with gender-based violence.

Thus, in 2007 KWN engaged in a project entitled “Providing Security, Promoting Health: Combating Gender-Based Violence in Kosovo,” supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). KWN became involved to help increase financial support for shelters as well as to support the establishment of specific systems of cooperation among shelters, so as to better protect and assist persons suffering from violence. Through this six-month project, KWN provided direct support to four shelters in Kosova. KWN partners for this project held regular coordination meetings, during which they worked to establish specific procedures and standards of operation for shelters, as well as to troubleshoot and discuss key issues affecting shelters.

KWN in cooperation with its partners also conducted exploratory research on the extent of gender-based violence in Kosova and its potential relation to women’s reproductive health. The research, the first of its kind in Kosova, aimed to provide the most up-to-date information available on this issue, as well as to pose policy recommendations for KWN’s media/advocacy campaign. KWN used the research recommendations to advocate to the relevant institutions for regular support for shelters, as well as other policy recommendations identified through the research. The report is available online.

KWN also organized a media campaign to raise awareness about the problem of violence against women in Kosova. KWN and its member organizations worked to reach women and men in rural and urban areas with information about gender-based violence and its impact on reproductive health. KWN member organizations played an important role in making this project successful by participating in the coordination meetings, establishing standards for shelters, participating in the research, and/or organizing aspects of the public information campaign.

Anisa Ismaili and Ilire Vinca-Çelaj perform debut of “Every Monday” at KWN Annual Meeting 2006.

Play “Every Monday” Brings Attention to Violence against Women

On 8 March, at ODA Theatre the campaign against violence against women was launched with a play by Italian playwright Sara Bogatti entitled “Every Monday at 1:30 pm” sponsored by MAMACASH. KWN helped raise funds for this bestselling play, also among the most produced shows in Italy on women’s issues and their attitudes toward their role in society.

The one-act play portrays three intellectual women who met each week to discuss what it is like to be a woman in modern society. All successful career women, they still faced various professional and personal problems while working with male colleagues.

A light comedy, the play communicated its message easily and universally, beyond cultural or national boundaries. In Kosova, the play was completely produced by women: Director Burbuqe Berisha, Assistant Director Shota Bukoshi, Stage Designer Rozafa Basha, Costume Designer Iliriana Loxha-Basha, Make up Labinote Geci, and cast members: Ilire Vinca-Çelaj, Anisa Ismaili and Arberesha Grabovci-Nixha.

KWN members meet with the Minister of Labor and Social Services, Minister Selmanaj, to discuss safe houses and gender-based violence.

Shelters Meet Minister of Labor and Social Services

On 15 July, KWN members met with the Minister of Labor and Social Services, Minister Selmanaj, to bring his attention to the absence of appropriate legislation addressing gender-based violence.

KWN members noted that the Law on Social Services was not being fully implemented, and shelters were not included in the Kosova consolidated budget. They also informed the Minister that the United Nations Mission in Kosovo’s (UNMIK) Department of Justice is obliged by law to help and support persons who have suffered violence in reaching shelters. This means that the Provisional Institutions of Self Governance (PISG) and UNMIK use the services of the shelters without supporting them financially.

Minister Selmanaj said that the institutions are willing to support and help them, but the issue requires a commitment from both sides. He proposed and agreed to arrange a meeting with the parliamentarian group on Health and Social Welfare to address this problem in the highest lawmaking body.

Kosova Coalition against Family and Sexual Violence Solidifies Strategy

The Kosova Coalition against Family and Sexual Violence convened in Durres, Albania from 11–14 Nov. to discuss the Coalition’s strategy for 2009 and future structure. Seven organizations participated including the Center for Protection of Women and Children (Prishtina and Mitrovica), Medica Kosova (Gjakova), Liria (Gjilan), Women’s Wellness Center (Peja), Hope and Homes for Children (Prishtina) and Safe House Gjakova. The meeting was moderated by Delina Fico with assistance from Eli Krasniqi. Members cooperated to formulate the Coalition’s vision, mission, principles, strategy for 2009, structure, decision-making process and representation and communication both within the Coalition and with the general public. Coalition members agreed that the mission of the Coalition is to prevent family and sexual violence, as well as support, help and empower survivors of violence.

The strategic goals for 2009 are:

  • Reducing the causes of family and sexual violence by supporting programs for gender equality and gender mainstreaming;
  • Increasing awareness;
  • Completing the legal framework;
  • Increasing capacities; and
  • Empowering the Coalition.

Planned activities include an initiative for decreasing poverty in Kosova; a campaign during the 16 days of activities against violence against women; advocacy in regards to the law against domestic violence and National Action Plan against Domestic Violence; monitoring; cooperation on the regulation for licensing shelters; and securing budgets for shelters.

The Coalition’s organizational structure involves the Leading Committee comprised of executive directors from the shelters as the highest decision-making organ; the Coalition Representative, which will represent the Coalition; and the Coalition Coordinator, an outside person working part-time to organize meetings, take meeting minutes, prepare project proposals and develop public relations materials. Coalition members decided that the group will remain informal, functioning within KWN. The Coalition will meet at least every two months.

On Nov. 20, the group met again to discuss a Memorandum of Understanding between the Coalition and KWN, election of the Coalition Representative and who will fundraise for the Coalition’s 2009 activities. The Coalition received financial support from UNFPA and technical assistance from KWN.

Jeta Vita Marches against Breast Cancer 2

In October, the Kosovar Center for Fighting Breast Cancer (KCFBC) Jeta Vita in partnership with the Balkan Breast Cancer Initiative (BBCI) and U.S. Embassy organized a campaign to raise awareness about breast cancer during the International Month of Fighting Breast Cancer. KWN supported its efforts by distributing information about the march.

“Jeta Vita” Marches against Breast Cancer

In October, the Kosovar Center for Fighting Breast Cancer Jeta Vita, in partnership with other organizations in Kosova, organized a campaign to raise awareness about breast cancer during International Breast Cancer Awareness Month. KWN supported this member organization by distributing information about the march against breast cancer held on 24 October and a play with seven monologues about women who suffered from breast cancer.

Citizens sign a petition calling for the government to establish a strategy for combating breast cancer and to finish the oncological institute.

Kosova Center for Fighting Breast Cancer Jeta/Vita, KWN Fight Breast Cancer

The Kosova Center for Fighting Breast Cancer Jeta / Vita (KCFBC), support by KWN, organized a campaign in March to raise awareness among women and society regarding a significant health issue: breast cancer.

Unfortunately, Kosova lacks data regarding the extent of this disease, but evidence from other countries in the region suggests that one in nine or ten women suffer from breast cancer. Cancer represents the most common random cause of mortality among women.

While the number of reports of breast cancer has increased in Kosova, the conditions for prevention, early detection, and treatment are extremely limited. Kosova lacks elementary conditions for fighting breast cancer: an Oncology Institute with qualified medical personnel and necessary equipment; the institutional and social organization for offering treatment; and support for these institutions and programs.

KCFBC and KWN wrote a letter and requested a meeting with the Prime Minister and Minister of Health to call for the establishment of a National Strategy for Combating Breast Cancer; finalization of the construction of the Oncology Institute and making it operational; and more serious engagement of policymakers and the government, especially considering the threat breast cancer poses to so many women.

On 8 March, KWN and KCFBC organized a petition signing, encouraging citizens to call for the implementation of these requests. In addition, KWN and KCFBC representatives appeared in televised debates and roundtables on this topic. KWN also advocated for public service announcements to be shown on national television stations. KOHA Printing House, the Kosova Red Cross, and all media supported this campaign.

Kosovo’s New Constitution Protects Women’s Reproductive Rights

The Constitution of the Republic of Kosova was adopted by the Assembly of Kosova on 11 June. Despite efforts from some religious groups, particularly American “pro-life” groups visiting Kosova in the weeks prior to its adoption, the Constitution protects women’s reproductive rights.

KWN sent a statement to the Constitutional Commission, countering the American delegation’s lobbying efforts. In the letter, KWN stated that Kosova’s Constitution guarantees women’s “right to personal integrity,” which includes “the right to make decisions related to reproduction,” and Article 25 states, “each individual since birth has the right to life.” Critiquing “pro-life” arguments that life begins at conception, KWN remarked, “in cases of miscarriages that occur during the first two or three months of pregnancy, no [religious institution] organizes a funeral.”

Following KWN’s and other letters from Kosovar human rights groups, the Commission did not revise the draft Constitution related to this point. Thus, the Constitution still protects Kosovars’ human rights to reproductive choice, family formation and sexual orientation.

KWN Establishes Task Force on Health

The Kosova Women’s Network (KWN) task force will focus on the health of women with disabilities, women affected by war and elderly women. The group will create a network of organizations with similar interests; provide trainings and advice related to health; advocate for institutional support for all health services; and push for local institutions to support member organizations’ work. The working group’s main goals are to organize campaigns to raise awareness about women’s health and advocate for the implementation of legal mechanisms that protect women’s health. The group will focus especially on fighting breast cancer, which has become a major health concern for women in Kosova. Task force members include Ajshe Nuhiu, Drita Vukshinaj, Feride Rushiti, and Zamira Hyseni.

Kosovo Center for Fighting Breast Cancer JETA-VITA Raises Awareness

On 30 October 2011, the Kosovo Center for Fighting Breast Cancer JETA/VITA organized an informative-cultural program and march with the motto “Early Detection = Survival”. Hundreds of Kosovo women and men participated in the demonstration on ‘Mother Theresa’ Boulevard in Prishtina, morally supporting women affected by breast cancer. In solidarity, the President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga and the head of the municipality of Prishtina, Isa Mustafa, also participated in the activity. KWN supported JETA-VITA’s annual campaign against breast and uterus cancer by distributing information about them.