1100 global leaders from around 70 countries discuss “Creating New Economies” at the Global Summit of Women 2013, on Jun. 6-8 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

1100 Leaders Discuss Women’s Economic Empowerment

05.08.2013

A delegation led by President of the Republic of Kosova Atifete Jahjaga represented Kosovo at the Global Summit of Women 2013. The delegation also included KWN representative Mirlinda Kusari-Purrini, Executive Director of SHE-ERA, and Afërdita Saraqini Kelemndi, President of the Women’sEconomicChamberofKosovo. The summit, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Jun. 6-8, gathered approximately 1100 global leaders from around 70 countries to discuss the theme: Creating New Economies. The event served to create linkages between public, privateand non-profit sectors.

“We had the opportunity to meet and share experiences with women leaders from governments and businesses,” said Mrs. Kusari-Purrini. “We also learned about the statusof women globally.”
The Summit aimed to promote and inform women entrepreneurs through anannual forum, research, roundtables and other programs.

19.03.26

Applying a Gender Lens: Erkenda Begins Her Internship at KWN

03.03.26

Motrat Qiriazi: Women’s Activism in Kosovo Since the 1990s Told in Book

27.02.26

Empowering Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Communities to Address GBV and TFGBV

25.02.26

Breaking the Silence: Gender Justice in Northern Kosovo

13.02.26

Under threat, and resilient

13.02.26

The Double Life of Growing Up Online and Being Safe

© Copyright, 2026 . Kosovo Women's Network. All rights reserved.

Donate Contact

CSO representatives deliver a petition requesting amendment of the Law on Amnesty to President of Kosova Atifete Jahjaga on Jul. 19.

12,764 Citizens, CSOs Petition against Kosovo Amnesty Law

05.08.2013

The Draft Law on Amnesty in Kosovo derived from the agreement for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. It was intended to support the integration of Serbs in Kosovo’s north by providing protection from legal action following Serb resistance to Kosovo’s Constitution since the declaration of independence in 2008. However, the initial draft law, according to some parliamentarians, “exceeds the amnesty deal and tries to provide amnesty for ordinary crimes that have been committed throughout the territory of Kosovo.”

Despite concerns, the parliament used an accelerated procedure without any public discussion, holding the first reading of the Draft Law on Jul. 4.
 
KWN reacted against the Draft Law on Amnesty and urged parliamentarians not to vote for it because it would provide amnesty for numerous criminal offenses, including violence against women. Diverse citizens also protested outside the parliament, dispersing only after the Draft Law did not pass. On its first reading, the Draft Law received only 70 votes in favour, falling short of the necessary 80 votes.
    
Concerns over the controversial Article 3 led the Government to add a clause stating that offenses resulting from murder or bodily harm would not be subject to amnesty.
 
When the second reading of the Draft Law was announced for Jul. 11, Kosovo citizens organized another protest in front of the parliament. It lasted six days and five nights. Protestors made clear that they did not represent any institution or political party. Further, in addition to several individual reactions, 34 civil society organizations (CSOs) wrote a joint letter to the EU Office in Kosovo, EULEX and Quint Embassies demanding that the Amnesty Draft Law be reconsidered. They also initiated a citizens’ petition, requesting amendment of the law. Citizens protested again outside as the parliament held its second reading of the law.
    
Despite citizens’ protests, on Jul. 11 the Law on Amnesty passed with 91 votes in favour and 17 against.
Citizens continued protesting through Jul. 19 by signing the aforementioned petition. In total, CSOs gathered 12,764 signatures. The Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development, Group for Legal and Political Studies, KWN, Community Building Mitrovica, Syri i Vizionit, EC Ma Ndryshe and INPO submitted the petition to the Presidency, requesting that the Draft Law be returned to the Assembly (see their letter).
 
President Jahjaga praised civil society’s commitment and role in Kosovo’s democratization. “Communication between institutions and civil society is needed and contributes to the overall improvement of processes,” she said.
    
As the Law has been held up by the Constitutional Court prior to the President’s signature, KWN and other CSOs continue advocating for its revision.

 

19.03.26

Applying a Gender Lens: Erkenda Begins Her Internship at KWN

03.03.26

Motrat Qiriazi: Women’s Activism in Kosovo Since the 1990s Told in Book

27.02.26

Empowering Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Communities to Address GBV and TFGBV

25.02.26

Breaking the Silence: Gender Justice in Northern Kosovo

13.02.26

Under threat, and resilient

13.02.26

The Double Life of Growing Up Online and Being Safe

Qendra për Promovimin e të Drejtave të Grave (The Centre for Promotion of Women’s Rights)

05.08.2013

Survivors of sexual violence perpetrated during the 1999 war in Kosovo have not received sufficient attention from Kosovo’s political leaders. The issue of sexual violence has not been raised in negotiations between Kosovo and Serbia. There has never been an official apology for the crimes committed against women, let alone a single court conviction or reparations.

By and large, society has ostracized and failed to support women who suffered this terrible crime. As a result, many women have attempted to continue their lives without ever learning how to psychologically deal with their pain. This often has in various health repercussions, including trauma, phobia, and untreated physical injuries. Identifying women who have suffered such crimes is crucial for providing them with much-needed assistance in developing coping mechanisms that will enable them to live their lives.

The Centre for Promotion of Women’s Rights began efforts to reach out to women who had suffered sexual violence during the war in 2012. With support from the Kosovo Women’s Fund, they referred the 37 women that they found in 13 villages of Drenas region to organizations specializing in offering psychological and medical rehabilitation.

Further, the Centre gathered women together to identify and deliver eight demands on behalf of women survivors to the President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga.
Their effort was so successful that they received additional support from the Kosovo Women’s Fund in 2013 (€2,707), which enabled them to build on last year’s accomplishments by reaching out to women in 15 additional villages. In total, since 2012, they have reached 69 women.
“The silence has been broken,” said Kadire Tahiraj from the Centre. “We have worked with great willpower, and we appreciate the help and support that we have received from the Kosovo Women’s Network.”

Beyond providing women with psychological support and medical assistance, the Centre has encouraged and supported women in expressing their needs to public institutions. This has included the unique opportunity for women to meet with the President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, in order to verbalize their concerns and request institutional support. Following the receipt of their eight demands last year,

President Jahjaga visited the women in 2013 and discussed how the government could better support them.
“The key to our lives has been opened,” a woman receiving support from the Centre said. “The hope to continue living life has been born. I feel stronger, and I won’t stop until justice has been served.”

21.06.24

Public Call for Applications for Capacity Building and Sub-Granting in Gender and Climate Change Financing

21.08.23

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE KOSOVO WOMEN’S FUND

02.02.23

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE KOSOVO WOMEN’S FUND

25.01.23

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE KOSOVO WOMEN’S FUND

19.12.18

Organization of Persons with Muscular Dystrophy of Kosovo (OPDMK)

19.12.18

Women’s Association “Aureola”

Rona

05.08.2013

Several women from Dragash possess unique skills in manufacturing traditional handmade clothes. However, since they live high in the mountains, few women can access markets in order to sell their products. With support from the Kosovo Women’s Fund (€2,800) and the Municipal Assembly of Prishtina, NGO Rona helped women from Dragash access a new market in Prishtina.

Women’s colourful handmade products decorated Mother Teresa Boulevard for eight days in October. Nineteen women’s organizations from throughout Kosovo, including Dragash, averaged more than €500 in sales per organization (totalling approximately €9,500).
“This project was very helpful, especially for women from Opoja in Dragash,” said Serbeze Sylejmani, Director of Rona. “They didn’t have the chance to sell their products before.”

The initiative had the added benefit of enabling women from other organizations throughout Kosovo to sell their products, as well, she said.
“Fairs are always good,” said Xhejrane Lokaj, a women’s rights activist also working in Dragash. “I am very thankful also to the Kosovo Women’s Network for supporting Rona in organizing this fair. In addition to securing some financial profit for women, we are preserving the culture of handmade work.”

21.06.24

Public Call for Applications for Capacity Building and Sub-Granting in Gender and Climate Change Financing

21.08.23

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE KOSOVO WOMEN’S FUND

02.02.23

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE KOSOVO WOMEN’S FUND

25.01.23

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE KOSOVO WOMEN’S FUND

19.12.18

Organization of Persons with Muscular Dystrophy of Kosovo (OPDMK)

19.12.18

Women’s Association “Aureola”

Foleja (The nest)

05.08.2013

In Prizren, many Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian girls drop out of school before completing compulsory education, often due to early marriage. NGO Foleja decided to organize discussions in order to inform mothers, families, and young women about the importance of education, as well as to provide healthcare information, which they may not have had access to previously.

Foleja invited a doctor to visit Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian women in their neighbourhoods. During a series of intimate discussions, she provided information about sexually transmitted diseases and how to avoid unwanted pregnancies. Mothers also received brochures with tips for caring for their infants.
“This project is very important for educating young women about how to create a family and basic things that they need to know in order to raise their infants,” said Gjyzel Shaljani, Foleja’s Director.

During the interactive lectures, participants could ask her and the doctor questions and receive guidance in addressing the challenges they face.
“I am very happy with the work that Gjyzel and the doctor are doing,” said Lindita Qylangji, a participant. “We are learning a lot.”

More than 400 women have received information through Foleja’s Kosovo Women’s Fund-supported initiative (€2,740).

21.06.24

Public Call for Applications for Capacity Building and Sub-Granting in Gender and Climate Change Financing

21.08.23

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE KOSOVO WOMEN’S FUND

02.02.23

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE KOSOVO WOMEN’S FUND

25.01.23

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE KOSOVO WOMEN’S FUND

19.12.18

Organization of Persons with Muscular Dystrophy of Kosovo (OPDMK)

19.12.18

Women’s Association “Aureola”

Rikotta

05.08.2013

The new “Women’s Piazza” on Mother Teresa Boulevard in Prishtina innovatively sells women’s products and simultaneously organizes street events to raise awareness about women’s rights.

Starting in summer 2013, the Women’s Piazza, managed by NGO Rikotta, began selling women’s baked goods every day on this busy pedestrian square, located next to the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports. This summer, six women took home profits from sales. One hardworking woman earned up to €780 per month during the three summer months thanks to this initiative.

In addition to helping their women members earn some extra income, Rikotta used this public space to organize three street campaigns on topics including: women who suffered domestic violence and trafficking; children with Down syndrome; and children with Autism.
Rikotta opened the Piazza because they were concerned by the lack of citizen initiatives for furthering women’s rights and participation in public life.
“Citizens’ initiatives are very good tools for promoting solidarity among women’s organizations, as well as gender equality,” said Pranvera Bullaku, Rikotta’s Executive Director.

The Women’s Piazza is a collaborative initiative undertaken with the Municipality of Prishtina, which provided the venue free of charge. Agim Gashi, the Head of the Public Services Department at the Municipality of Prishtina, officially opened the “Women’s Piazza” on 12 August.
“We intend to support all positive initiatives of Prishtina citizens, particularly those focusing on supporting women’s rights and women’s hard work,” said Agim Gashi.

This initiative also received support from the KWN Kosovo Women’s Fund, from which Rikotta received a grant for €2,990 in July 2013.
Building on their positive collaboration with the Mayor, the Women’s Piazza will be able to apply again in June 2014 for a free space on Mother Teresa Square for the summer months.

The publicity and media coverage received by the Women’s Piazza has attracted the attention of other women who are interested in joining this initiative. In 2014 four additional women will become part of the Women’s Piazza’s team.

Even though the Women’s Piazza will not be situated on the square during the winter months, women are committed to continuing their work. To learn more about their initiative and/or to purchase products made by women, you can call +377 (0)44 429 432.

21.06.24

Public Call for Applications for Capacity Building and Sub-Granting in Gender and Climate Change Financing

21.08.23

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE KOSOVO WOMEN’S FUND

02.02.23

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE KOSOVO WOMEN’S FUND

25.01.23

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE KOSOVO WOMEN’S FUND

19.12.18

Organization of Persons with Muscular Dystrophy of Kosovo (OPDMK)

19.12.18

Women’s Association “Aureola”

Komiteti i Grave të Verbëra të Kosovës (The Committee of Blind Women of Kosova)

05.08.2013

Although blind children have the right to attend public schools, sometimes schools lack sufficient conditions for accepting them or they are not accepted socially due to false impressions regarding their capacities to learn.

The Committee of Blind Women has involved youth in raising awareness among school directors, teachers, and pupils about the challenges that blind students face, their needs, and the importance of using the Braille alphabet in schools.
“I need you to get good grades at school and set an example of excellence for other students in order to convince people to help us achieve our aim,” the Committee’s Director, Bajramshahe Jetullahu, told blind youth who had gathered in September to learn about and join the initiative.

The Committee of Blind Women sought to encourage and empower youth to advocate for their right to education, supported by the Kosovo Women’s Fund (€2,878).
“Our greatest need is to have the understanding of citizens,” said a young woman participant. “They need to understand that you can never know what life will bring you. Maybe one day they will become [blind] like us, and they will need somebody to help them.”

In close cooperation with two school directors, the Committee has introduced Braille tables in two primary schools in Prishtina. The nearly life size tables are used to explain the Braille alphabet to pupils within public schools. Thus, introducing the tables also has involved organizing lectures for approximately 140 pupils and teachers about Braille, as well as sharing information about the particular needs that blind pupils have.

Pupils actively took part in these discussions, curiously asking questions. Some students scribbled down information about the Braille tables in their notebooks with fascination.
“Can I be excused for two minutes,” a student said. “I just need to go get my notebook because I want to write down these explanations and share them with my family and friends.”

Beyond introducing Braille in school, the initiative educated students and their families about the challenges faced by blind people and the support that society can provide. The Committee of Blind Women believes that such awareness-raising initiatives can contribute to implementing the Law on Pre-university Education, which gives every child the right to attend public schools and receive basic education.

In the future, the Committee plans to advocate for the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology to use this as an example for installing similar Braille tables in other primary schools throughout Kosovo.

21.06.24

Public Call for Applications for Capacity Building and Sub-Granting in Gender and Climate Change Financing

21.08.23

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE KOSOVO WOMEN’S FUND

02.02.23

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE KOSOVO WOMEN’S FUND

25.01.23

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE KOSOVO WOMEN’S FUND

19.12.18

Organization of Persons with Muscular Dystrophy of Kosovo (OPDMK)

19.12.18

Women’s Association “Aureola”

Bliri

05.08.2013

Premarital sex is a taboo topic in many rural areas throughout Kosovo. Few parents discuss sex with their children, especially their daughters. Nor does the public school system provide sufficient sexual education.

Therefore, between August and November, NGO Bliri took the initiative to invite doctors who could explain to girls how to protect themselves from early pregnancy, among other reproductive health issues. Altogether 740 mothers and daughters participated actively in these discussions. Few had had the opportunity to discuss these topics together previously.
“We raised the awareness of women who never went to school and who never attended these trainings before,” said Mahije Ismajli, Bliri’s Director. She thus considered the initiative a success.

During these meetings, women also learned how to conduct their own self-exams towards identifying breast cancer early on.
“Life is a gamble,” one participant said. “One can never know whether or not one might get breast cancer. Therefore, it’s very good that I now know how to examine my own breasts to see whether I might have breast cancer.”

Bliri plans to research women’s and girls’ health situation and needs in their region. They will use the research to inform recommendations for institutions and other actors.

Bliri’s initiative has received support from the Kosovo Women’s Fund (€2,500).
 

21.06.24

Public Call for Applications for Capacity Building and Sub-Granting in Gender and Climate Change Financing

21.08.23

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE KOSOVO WOMEN’S FUND

02.02.23

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE KOSOVO WOMEN’S FUND

25.01.23

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE KOSOVO WOMEN’S FUND

19.12.18

Organization of Persons with Muscular Dystrophy of Kosovo (OPDMK)

19.12.18

Women’s Association “Aureola”

Venera

05.08.2013

Few Kosovars can afford to hire a lawyer when they need legal advice or assistance. Thus, NGO Venera in Peja has regularly received requests from citizens for assistance with various legal matters. At the same time, young women lawyers had approached Venera with their concerns: as young women, they struggled to secure jobs in Peja or work experience that would enable them to apply for jobs. Seeing the challenges faced by young women and local citizens, NGO Venera representatives had an innovative idea.

Venera decided to pilot a small initiative through which young women lawyers would provide free legal aid for people who could not afford it otherwise. In this way, young women could hone their skills as lawyers, furthering their work experience. At the same time, they would meet important needs within their community.

With support from the Kosovo Women’s Fund (€2,666), Venera hired two young women lawyers who began offering free legal services to citizens in August 2013.
“I used to work as a lawyer at the Municipal Assembly,” said Shqipe Sheremeti, a lawyer at Venera. “But this job is very fulfilling for me. Here, I am closer to people, and I can help them.”

Under the careful direction of seasoned lawyer Miradije Gashi Sheremeti, Executive Director, by November the organization already had helped 17 people who would not have had access to such services otherwise. This included assisting with official authorizations, legal advice, and paying and/or contesting fines, among other services. In total, they provided the equivalent of more than €2,570 in legal services, free of charge to their clients.
“I had written so many requests to the Municipal Assembly about my problem,” one of Venera’s clients said. “But here with Miradije, Shqipe, and Syzana it’s different. They are very kind and easy to talk to. I was very happy when they offered to help me for free.”

Although Venera’s support from the Kosovo Women’s Fund ended on 30 November, they can see from their work to date that the needs are great. They are continuing to work on a voluntary basis, including assisting their clients in completing the processes that they began in prior months. They plan to apply to the Kosovo Women’s Fund, as well as other donors in the future towards reaching additional beneficiaries in years to come.

21.06.24

Public Call for Applications for Capacity Building and Sub-Granting in Gender and Climate Change Financing

21.08.23

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE KOSOVO WOMEN’S FUND

02.02.23

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE KOSOVO WOMEN’S FUND

25.01.23

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE KOSOVO WOMEN’S FUND

19.12.18

Organization of Persons with Muscular Dystrophy of Kosovo (OPDMK)

19.12.18

Women’s Association “Aureola”

The Petition Signed by 12,764 persons on Changing the Draft law on Amnesty is Submitted to the President

19.07.2013

Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development, Group for Legal and Political Studies, Kosovo Women s Network, Community Building Mitrovica, Syri i Vizionit, EC Ma Ndryshe and INPO has submitted today the petition to the Presidency with 12.764 signatures of citizens who asks to change the draft law on amnesty, along with the request to return the draft law to the Assembly.

The complete letter directed to the President is:

Dear Madame President,

We address you with the petition signed by 12.764 citizens of the Republic of Kosovo within 4 days, in which they expressed their concern regarding the current version of the Law on Amnesty, approved by the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo on 11 July 2013.

We ask that in line with your constitutional responsibilities, you take forward in addressing of concerns expressed by signatories of this petition – as well as of the general public – that such a law is in accordance with standards of the state based on the justice and rule of law, an obligation that Kosovo must strictly enforce.v We agree in principle on the importance of the existence of this law, which aims to integrate the northern part of the Republic of Kosovo, however, with its current content the law goes beyond this objective. As such, the law creates consequences in the functioning of a justice system for all the territory of Kosovo.

We kindly ask you that, as you review this law, in line with your constitutional powers, you send the law back to the Assembly of Kosovo, to take into account the following remarks:

1. This law has emerged as a requirement of the First Agreement for the Normalization of Relations between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia, and should address the persons/entities that have been a subject of this agreement. The current version of the law is far from making such a distinction, and provides room for the amnesty of even persons/entities that were not subject of the agreement.

2. Some of the offenses that are granted amnesty under the law, outside of section 1.1.15, such as economic crime, smuggling, property usurpation, illegal possession of weapons, arson, unauthorized border crossing, or engaging in medical and pharmaceutical activities, should not be given amnesty if they are not linked to the condition that the political offense is committed by Serbian structures in the north of Kosovo.

3. Criminal offenses that receive amnesty under Article 1.1.15 allow plenty of room for interpretation and abuse. If the real intention of the perpetrators of those acts was political, it should be explicitly linked to the condition that the perpetrator of the crime committed the act while at the same time committed the crime of "Assault on the constitutional order of the Republic of Kosovo" (Article 121 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kosovo). In the current version of Article 1.1.15, it refers to ‘calls for resistance’ offence representing a criminal offense which may be alleged to have been committed not only by persons/entities who operated under the authority of Serbia, but also by any other persons in the territory of Kosovo.

4. Amnesty is a political and legal action therefore we insist that it should only apply from the moment of entering into force of the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo, and therefore should have a limitation on the period of its start, namely from 15 June 2008 to 20 June 2013.

5. We request the involvement of civil society and external actors in the review process of this law, which is necessary in order for this law to enable the strengthening of the rule of law in the country based on the justice principles and democratic values and not to its detriment.

Being convinced that this requirement expressed by petition of 12.764 citizens of the Republic of Kosovo will encounter positive response from your side, please accept our highest considerations.

Sincerely,
On behalf of the organizers and supporters of the petition

19.03.26

Applying a Gender Lens: Erkenda Begins Her Internship at KWN

03.03.26

Motrat Qiriazi: Women’s Activism in Kosovo Since the 1990s Told in Book

27.02.26

Empowering Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Communities to Address GBV and TFGBV

25.02.26

Breaking the Silence: Gender Justice in Northern Kosovo

13.02.26

Under threat, and resilient

13.02.26

The Double Life of Growing Up Online and Being Safe