KWN Reacts Against Hate Speech and Discrimination

31.05.2013

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28.03.25

Reaction of the Kosovo Women’s Network to the Recent Killings in Kosovo due to illegal weapons 

08.11.24

Press Release – Recommendations for the Kosovo Parliament  

05.11.24

Response to Klan Kosova – Do Not Promote the Perpetrators

04.11.24

Violence Against the Minor is Intolerable – KWN Calls for Justice and Immediate Action

17.10.24

Letter to the Chairman of the Assembly of Kosovo, Glauk Konjufca

14.10.24

Reaction: KWN calls for an urgent solution to the strike of technical workers of the Assembly

KWN, New School Screen First Oral History Initiative Short Film: Safete Rogova, Actress, Activist

30.05.2013

28.03.25

Reaction of the Kosovo Women’s Network to the Recent Killings in Kosovo due to illegal weapons 

08.11.24

Press Release – Recommendations for the Kosovo Parliament  

05.11.24

Response to Klan Kosova – Do Not Promote the Perpetrators

04.11.24

Violence Against the Minor is Intolerable – KWN Calls for Justice and Immediate Action

17.10.24

Letter to the Chairman of the Assembly of Kosovo, Glauk Konjufca

14.10.24

Reaction: KWN calls for an urgent solution to the strike of technical workers of the Assembly

Kosova Women’s Fund Awards Eight Grants

08.05.2013

The Kosova Women’s Network (KWN) awarded grants to eight member organizations through the Kosova Women’s Fund in April. Altogether, 29 organizations applied for grants. Funding decisions were made by the Kosova Women’s Fund Grant Review Committee, elected by KWN members last year.

The organizations awarded grants include:

1. The Association of the Deaf in Prizren, which will organize systematic gynaecological visits and health training for deaf women.

2. Women’s Centre “Prehja” will organize trainings, meetings and public discussions for women suffering from breast cancer in   Skenderaj.

3. The Centre for Economic Development of Women in Shtrpce “Ikebana” will involve women in processing and producing medicinal herbs.

4. The Foundation for Education and Development will seek to economically empower women in Novo Brdo Municipality by building their
business skills and providing equipment for drying and processing fruits, pastries and sweets.

5. Gruaja Hyjnore (Divine Women) will empower women in Gjilan through workshops on gender equality, women’s rights to property
inheritance and advanced techniques in the art of handmade crafts.

6. Parajsa Jonë (Our Paradise) will train women in rural areas of Lipjan Municipality in horticulture and entrepreneurship.

7. The Association of Women Farmers “Krusha e Vogel” will economically empower women in rural areas in villages of Krusha e Vogel and Has through seminars in business management, marketing and milk hygiene, including sharing experiences with farmers from other
NGOs.

8. Lulebora will provide counselling and support gynaecological visits for women and girls living in the Roma neighbourhood of Mitrovica.

This second grant round received funding from the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and additional support from Kvinna till Kvinna (KtK).

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

Vjosa Dobruna, a Human Right Activist and member of KWN’s Advisory Board discusses strategies for increasing women’s participation in politics.

Women Strategize for Municipal Elections

08.05.2013

KWN organized a discussion on 29 Mar., during which 27 women from seven municipal assemblies and KWN member organizations strategized for women’s greater participation in the upcoming municipal elections. Vjosa Dobruna, a Human Rights Activist and member of KWN’s Advisory Board led the discussion.

Participants sought to generate ideas for increasing the number of women in municipal assemblies and in leadership positions at the municipal level.
“This meeting opened discussions about empowering women, an obligation and mandate for KWN,” said Vjosa Dobruna.

The meeting also served to encourage more women to run for mayor. Participants discussed which qualities women candidates should have: they should be feminists, have a different approach than men, be active in society and have the political will to promote gender equality.
“I appreciate this bold initiative, and I think we can all contribute continuously in this area,” said Violeta Dema, a representative from the Gjakova Municipal Assembly.
     
The discussion also encouraged cooperation among diverse women and emphasized the important role that civil society can play.
“This meeting provided us with the opportunity to talk about what we as civil society can do to help,” said Drita Vukshinaj from NGO    
Women for Women with Disabilities in Prizren.
     
Some conclusions that resulted from the meeting included:

       o Work with women candidates and political parties so that parties winning seats in municipal assemblies ensure that women r 
           receive decision-making positions.

       o Create an enabling environment for more women to enter politics by going door-to-door to advocate for citizens to vote for women 
          candidates.

       o Encourage political parties to nominate unanimously a woman candidate for the position of mayor in upcoming elections and 
          create a suitable environment for her campaign.

       o Organize media campaigns to present accurately women’s campaign platforms.

       o Create a new section on KWN’s website and/or a Facebook forum where women can share ideas and discuss strategies for        
          furthering women’s participation in municipal governance.
      
       o Encourage continued involvement of women in municipal assemblies even after retirement so that they can share their experience
          and knowledge.
     
“There was fear among women due to their previous experiences because women lacked support,” Vjosa Dobruna concluded. “But from their fear and prior obstacles we will learn and know better how to address these issues in the future.”
 

01.04.26

Activists Advocate that EU Accession Contributes to Furthering Gender Equality

31.03.26

Igballe Rogova Awarded Presidential Medal for Lifelong Commitment to Women’s Rights

31.03.26

People Call on EU to Invest in What Matters in New EU Budget

27.03.26

Women’s History Month: Rachel Wareham Reflects on the Legacy of Motrat Qiriazi

26.03.26

KWN Honoured by NRAEWOK for Contribution to Advancing Gender Equality

26.03.26

Access Denied No More: Women in Skenderaj Advocate for Quality Gynecological Care

Women Entrepreneurs Create Platform

08.05.2013

On 8 Apr., 40 entities signed the National Platform of Women Entrepreneurs in the Republic of Kosova. Signatories included NGOs, women’s associations, business associations, networks, education and training institutions and media.

The signing followed a prior workshop in which they developed the platform, held on 22 Mar. The main strategies for economic growth identified in the Platform include public-private partnership, gender equality and creating networks of entrepreneurs and business associations.

A voluntary, informal group working for the development and promotion of women entrepreneurs in Kosova, as well as the elimination of all kinds of gender discrimination leads the implementation of the Platform.
“This is the first time such a Platform has been created in Kosova,” said a representative from Women’s Business Association SHE-ERA. “It’s all based directly on the needs of women entrepreneurs and conforms with EU laws and regulations.”

The Platform was created based on the Small Business Act for Europe (derived from Women Entrepreneurs Indicators of Istanbul), the Pristina Principles (the Women’s Economic Empowerment section, from the Presidential Summit of the Republic of Kosova), the National Strategy for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises (2012-2020), the Law on Gender Equality, the Kosovo Program for Gender Equality, the Kosovo Action Plan for the Economic Empowerment of Women 2011-2013, as well as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

The Platform aims to promote women entrepreneurs in the Republic of Kosova through public and private partnerships. It seeks to help women overcome barriers to entrepreneurship and to eliminate all forms of gender discrimination.

This initiative is being undertaken in nine EU pre-accession countries in South East Europe. It is supported by the Kingdom of Sweden and implemented by the South Eastern European Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (SEECEL), Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and Gender Task Force (GTF) for South East Europe.

The partners implementing the project in Kosova are Women’s Business Association SHE-ERA and Network “Qeliza”.

01.04.26

Activists Advocate that EU Accession Contributes to Furthering Gender Equality

31.03.26

Igballe Rogova Awarded Presidential Medal for Lifelong Commitment to Women’s Rights

31.03.26

People Call on EU to Invest in What Matters in New EU Budget

27.03.26

Women’s History Month: Rachel Wareham Reflects on the Legacy of Motrat Qiriazi

26.03.26

KWN Honoured by NRAEWOK for Contribution to Advancing Gender Equality

26.03.26

Access Denied No More: Women in Skenderaj Advocate for Quality Gynecological Care

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development will offer approximately €27 million in financial assistance in 2013, prioritizing assistance for women farmers.

Rural Development Program Supports Women

08.05.2013

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD) plans to offer financial assistance for women entrepreneurs working in various agricultural sectors. Its Rural Development Program will offer financial assistance amounting to approximately €27 million in 2013.

Through this financial support, MAFRD aims to improve farms’ infrastructure, increase productivity, improve the quality of agricultural products, increase competitiveness among domestic producers, increase employment and income among farmers and rural populations and further the sustainable use of agricultural land. All Kosovar farmers in various agricultural sectors can benefit from this program, and women will be prioritized for support.

MAFRD has allocated €12 million in subsidies for wheat, corn, sunflowers, goats, cows and buffalo milk. The other €15 million has been allocated for investment grants for milk, meat, eggs, honey, vegetable, fruit, wine and herb production.

On 1 Mar., KWN’s member organization, Women’s Business Association “SHE-ERA” met with the Department of Agriculture in Gjakova to inform officials about the work of women entrepreneurs. SHE-ERA representatives presented business plans prepared by women from Gjakova and women’s requests for co-financing. Women’s initiatives have received support through the “Support for Women Entrepreneurs in Agriculture 2012-2015” project, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. The project is being implemented in four regions of Kosova: Gjakova, Gjilan, Mitrovica and Peja.

“Since rural women are always the last to receive information about government grant schemes, SHE-ERA requested that Directorate of Agriculture officials meet with women entrepreneurs, as project beneficiaries, to inform them about opportunities for grants and subsidies provided by the Ministry,” a SHE-ERA representative said.

During the aforementioned meeting, women received information about subsidies and financial assistance provided by MAFRD to Kosovar farmers and the criteria women must meet to apply.

Since MAFRD’s first grant round has closed, KWN members interested in applying should follow media and MAFRD’s website for future Calls for Applications. Women also can visit Departments of Agriculture within their municipalities for further information regarding application criteria. SHE-ERA staff can assist women entrepreneurs in agriculture in meeting the application criteria. For assistance, please contact wsheera@gmail.com.

MAFRD also plans to support farmers in agricultural mechanization. They have also announced support for investment in less developed rural areas, watering agricultural lands, agro-processing equipment, storage, marketing, and public-private projects identified by Local Action Groups.

01.04.26

Activists Advocate that EU Accession Contributes to Furthering Gender Equality

31.03.26

Igballe Rogova Awarded Presidential Medal for Lifelong Commitment to Women’s Rights

31.03.26

People Call on EU to Invest in What Matters in New EU Budget

27.03.26

Women’s History Month: Rachel Wareham Reflects on the Legacy of Motrat Qiriazi

26.03.26

KWN Honoured by NRAEWOK for Contribution to Advancing Gender Equality

26.03.26

Access Denied No More: Women in Skenderaj Advocate for Quality Gynecological Care

During KWN’s bimonthly meeting in Gjakova, Mirlinda Kusari-Purrini, Executive Director of SHE-ERA, informs KWN members about new opportunities from the Government of Kosova towards empowering women economically.

KWN Members Hold Meeting in Gjakova

08.05.2013

Approximately 60 people attended the KWN Bimonthly Meeting on 8 Apr. 2013 in Gjakova. Participants included KWN member organizations, board members and other interested persons.

Besa Shehu, Finance & Administrative Manager at KWN, opened the meeting, announcing the names of eight organizations awarded grants through the Kosova Women’s Fund (KWF). She also encouraged organizations that did not receive grants to apply again. The next grant round will open on 15 May 2013.
“NGOs will receive assistance and support from KWN staff in order to improve their applications,” she said. KWN continues organizing capacity building opportunities for its members, so that they can benefit not only from the Kosova Women’s Fund, but also from other funds.

Zana Rudi, Project Coordinator for KWN Members, presented the KWN Code of Conduct Monitoring Report and Capacity Development Plan for Members for 2013. The report resulted from interviews with 82 of KWN’s 100 member organizations. The report presents members’ strengths and areas where members could benefit from capacity development. Based on the findings, KWN plans to organize 12 trainings in 2013; two have been held so far. Since KWN’s budget is limited, KWN staff and supporters have volunteered their time to provide training for members. KWN also is preparing an individual report for each member, outlining their strengths and areas where they could further develop their capacities.

Then, Mirlinda Kusari-Purrini, Executive Director of KWN member organization SHE-ERA, informed participants about the National Platform for Women Entrepreneurs in the Republic of Kosovo.
“The draft platform is supported by Atifete Jahjaga, President of Kosova, who is willing to push it forward, and the group of women MPs in the Kosova parliament,” she said. “An informal organization will advocate for creating a suitable environment and supporting women entrepreneurs.”

She also informed participants about the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s plans to support small and medium sized enterprises and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development’s Rural Development Program. These are two ways that KWN members may be able to receive funds towards women’s economic empowerment.

Emine Berisha, a KWN and Alter Habitus researcher, provided information about the two organizations’ joint research “Where’s the Money for Women’s Rights: a Case Study for Kosova”, supported by the Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID). This research initiative will help identify funding trends related to supporting women’s organizations and women’s rights over the last decade in Kosova. Emine is interviewing KWN members, and all information provided by members will remain confidential.

KWN members then shared the following information:

o  Dardana Mehmeti from NGO Artpolis provided information about a festival being held on 27-30 May in Oda Theatre, where women
artists will present their work. The festival will focus on social aspects of life, particularly women’s and girls’ rights and the
challenges they face in Kosova and the region.

o  Veprore Shehu from NGO Medica Kosova said that 20 women and six staff members will visit Istanbul with support from the
Turkish Embassy.

Finally, Nertila Qarri, KWN Coordinator for Public Relations, emphasized that KWN members can send information about their activities to info@womensnetwork.org for inclusion in KWN’s monthly newsletter Kosovar Women’s Voice.

The next KWN members’ meeting will be held on 3 Jun. 2013.

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

Women’s Economic Empowerment

29.04.2013

28.03.25

Reaction of the Kosovo Women’s Network to the Recent Killings in Kosovo due to illegal weapons 

08.11.24

Press Release – Recommendations for the Kosovo Parliament  

05.11.24

Response to Klan Kosova – Do Not Promote the Perpetrators

04.11.24

Violence Against the Minor is Intolerable – KWN Calls for Justice and Immediate Action

17.10.24

Letter to the Chairman of the Assembly of Kosovo, Glauk Konjufca

14.10.24

Reaction: KWN calls for an urgent solution to the strike of technical workers of the Assembly

Shoqata e të Shurdhërve në Prizren (Association of the Deaf in Prizren)

22.04.2013

If gynaecological check-ups present problems for most Kosovar women, deaf women face additional challenges. They must overcome widespread negative stereotypes about women visiting gynaecologists, especially male doctors, as well as explain their health problems to gynaecologists using sign language. Even then, deaf women cannot understand gynaecologists’ diagnoses or instructions for treatment without assistance from an interpreter.

The Association of the Deaf in Prizren sought to address this challenge by involving sign language interpreters in accompanying deaf women to gynaecologists. Their initiative, supported by the Kosovo Women’s Fund (€1,312), assisted five women in leaving their homes independent of family members, some for the first time. Further, more than 25 young women learned techniques for overcoming the challenges they face in their everyday lives.

The gynaecological visits revealed that one deaf woman had health issues. Through this visit, she was able to identify the issue early on. Regular visits to the gynaecologist, with the Association’s assistance, enabled her to treat this issue and heal quickly.

Further, through this initiative, the Association advocated successfully for the Municipal Officer for Gender Equality and the Health Directorate to institutionalize sign language services. Soon after, the Municipality hired an interpreter who now provides interpretation services at the Municipal Assembly and within the Health Directorate twice per week.

However, reaching these achievements was not easy. During this initiative, women faced a series of challenges, including discrimination by male colleagues within their own Association. Therefore, an additional outcome of this initiative was that deaf women decided to found the Association of Deaf Women in Prizren in July 2013. The new Association aims to empower deaf women and attend to the unique challenges that they face because they are women.
“I wanted them to have more space, since this space wasn’t provided in the other NGO so far,” said Krenare Ajdini, an interpreter who supported women in founding the new Association.

Krenare found her beginnings as a women’s rights activist while working as a sign language interpreter during Kosovo Women’s Network meetings. She attended her first such meeting in 2012 as an interpreter for the Association of Deaf People. “During this meeting I learnt a lot of new information about NGOs and their work,” she said. “When I saw the possibilities that the network offers women, I decided to start a new NGO for deaf women.”

Krenare admits that creating a new organization is no easy task: compiling a statute, forming a board, and other administrative issues. However, “KWN staff were always there to help me with documents, procedures, and any other issue,” she said.
“So far, I am really satisfied with the interest and cooperation shown by our NGO members,” Krenare said. “Together we’re working on finding ways to fund our ideas. In this way we will be able to empower deaf women in our municipality.”

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”

Qendra për Zhvllim Ekonomik të Grave në Shtërpce “Ikebana"(Centre for Economic Development of Women in Shtrpce “Ikebana”)

22.04.2013

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 medicinal plants with which they wanted to work are well-known in the pharmaceutical industry. With support from the Kosovo Women’s Fund (€2,707) and Caritas Switzerland, they were able to realize their dream, opening their organization, “Ikebana”.

Establishing a new organization is no easy task. Ikebana members needed support in order to put in place systems, policies, and procedures for their organization to function independently. Kosovo Women’s Network staff members mentored them in developing these.

Then Ikebana purchased machines for drying and producing teas. They began work, learning from each other. Women 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.”

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”