Citizens Protest for Justice and Dignity before Negotiations

05.04.2013

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

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

Donate Contact

Since KWN’s 8 Mar. 2012 protest, citizens have advocated loudly for legal rights for women who suffered sexual violence during the war.

KWN Urges Support for Sexual Violence Survivors

05.04.2013

Human Rights Watch has estimated that up to 20,000 people were raped during the 1998-1999 war in Kosovo. 
Sexual violence committed in war constitutes a war crime, a crime against humanity and a basic act of genocide, according to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1820 on Sexual Violence against Civilians in Conflict.

Bosnia has recognized survivors of sexual violence as official “victims” of war, which has facilitated their receipt of benefits and recovery. However, survivors of sexual violence crimes in Kosovo have yet to receive sufficient attention. The issue of sexual violence has not
been considered in negotiations between Kosovo and Serbia. Serbian officials have never apologized for these crimes. Nor have there been any convictions or reparations. Further, society often has isolated and failed to support women who suffered such violence. Many women have tried to continue their lives without psychological treatment. Evidence collected by women’s organizations suggests that this has contributed to trauma, phobia, inhibited sexual desire and eating disorders, as well as untreated physical injuries.
     
Women who suffered sexual violence seek to be included among the categories of persons affected by war. This would offer recognition, an end to stigmatization and the return of dignity. Since sexual violence was used as a weapon of war, women should be treated as all victims of war.
     
On 8 Mar. 2012, KWN organized a protest with the slogan: “Forget flowers: We want justice for women raped during the war,” whereby KWN sought legal protection for women who suffered sexual violence in Kosovo.
     
Following more than a year of intensive advocacy work that brought together women in civil society and women in politics, on 14 Mar. 2013, the Assembly of the Republic of Kosova passed the first reading of the Draft Law on Amending the Law no. 04/L-054 for the status and rights of the martyrs, invalids, veterans, members of the Kosovo Liberation Army, people raped during the war, civilian victims of the war and their families. This historic action offered a glimpse of hope to women who suffered sexual violence.
     
However, the first reading passed by only a narrow margin (three votes). Some parliamentarians claimed that insufficient financial resources exist to support it. KWN finds such arguments unfounded. Bosnia’s experience suggests that very few women apply for financial benefits. Further state expenditures in other areas (e.g., roads) are less important, KWN would argue.
     
KWN has written several letters, together with sother civil society groups, urging parliamentarians to pass this important amendment, returning dignity to women who have suffered enough.

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

Activist Nazlie Bala participates in KWN’s protest demanding health insurance and better healthcare on 8 Mar. 2011.

KWN Condemns Attack on Activist Nazlie Bala

05.04.2013

On 27 Mar. 2013 at approximately 20:35, Human Rights Activist Nazlie Bala was physically attacked at the entrance to her apartment. She was then threatened: “Be aware that we will kill you.” This attack came after Bala received an anonymous letter threatening her life on Mar. 20. The letter, slipped under the door of her apartment, read: “Please do not protect the shame. Otherwise, we’ll kill you.”

The attack and threats referred to her appearance on the Radio Television Kosova (RTK) show “Në kërkim” (“In Search”) a few days prior, where she had advocated for including persons who suffered sexual violence during the war in the existing law for all categories of victims of war. 
     
Through letters and press releases, KWN has expressed its concern regarding the attack and threats made against Bala. KWN demanded an investigation by the Kosovo Police, as well as immediate protection for Bala. KWN informed the public that Bala has been a prominent human rights activist since the 1990s. She began her voluntary commitment to human rights, working with the Council for Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF). For 23 years since then, she has continually supported and empowered women.
     
KWN considers the attack against Bala, a renowned women’s rights activist, not only an attack against her, but against all women and men seeking to protect the dignity of women survivors of sexual violence. Such threats and violence will never deter our efforts to further justice in Kosova and to ensure dignity for women survivors of violence.

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

Behind the “examination” table, the word “Turp” (shame) is comprised of individual sexist statements made by parliamentarians about women who suffered sexual violence.

Citizens Protest Parliamentarians’ Sexist Remarks

05.04.2013

The Institute for Studies in Society and Culture “Alter Habitus,” a KWN member, organized a protest “Against the Sexist Approach and
Language of Deputies” on 28 Mar. in front of the parliament.

On 14 Mar., the Assembly of the Republic of Kosova passed the first reading of the proposed amendment for women who suffered sexual violence to be included in the law for persons affected by war (see above).

However, women’s rights activists were concerned by some deputies’ testimonies on 14 Mar. Their sexist remarks insulted the dignity of women who suffered sexual violence and re-victimized them. In response, Alter Habitus supported by KWN and actors’ group “Have It” organized a protest in front of the parliament.
“We believe that the some parliamentarians’ speeches were offensive and demeaning for all women,” said Hana Qena from “Have It.” “We are out in the streets to show them that it’s not a shame to be raped.”

“Have it” performed a sketch against the proposal that a committee examine women to “verify” that they suffered sexual violence. Actresses pounded apples on cutting boards, symbolizing the damage examinations would cause to women’s health.
     
Afterward, participants threw papers with parliamentarians’ sexist quotations back at the parliament.
“The sexist language used in the parliament is embarrassing,” said Avni Bytyqi. “Raped women in Kosovo are not our shame, but rather our pride. They need institutional and legal support, which these deputies that we elected unfortunately still have no desire to offer, for reasons unknown to us as citizens.”
     
Considering the attack against activist Nazlie Bala the night prior, participants also held signs: “We are all Nazlie Bala!”

This was “an attack against our efforts to pass this law,” said Eli Krasniqi, an Alter Habitus organizer. “Attacks and threats won’t stop us.”

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

Forget flowers: Men and women wait to donate blood, on International Women’s Day in Kosovo.

Give Life: Give Blood, KWN Marks 8 March

05.04.2013

KWN, supported by the National Center for Blood Transfusion (NCBT), marked International Women’s Day through a street action “Give Life: Give Blood.” Between 12:00 and 15:00 on 8 Mar., 37 men and women donated blood in Mother Teresa Square in Prishtina.
Marking 8 Mar. with a protest or action has become an annual tradition for KWN. KWN members decided that KWN’s advocacy this year would focus on women’s access to quality healthcare. Citizens were invited to donate blood (instead of giving flowers), assisting Kosovo’s weak healthcare system.
Music played loudly through the square and people passing by read the banner (above) with the event’s motto: “Give Life: Give Blood.” Citizens donated blood, giving the gift of life to people in need.
Women also brought their family members. “Since my medical condition and age won’t allow me to donate blood, I brought my two sons with me today,” said Fatima Zatriqi, from North Mitrovica.” They can donate blood and help Kosovar Women.”
“I donate blood regularly and since this is a symbolic day for women, I am here to mark this day and help save someone’s life,” added Nexhat, one of Fatima’s sons.
Other people diverged from their everyday route through Mother Teresa Square, pausing to donate blood.
“I am a student, and I pass this way on my way back from university. I found out that people are donating blood and stopped to do the same,” said Iliriana Leci. “It won’t cost me anything, and this human gesture can save someone’s life.”

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

KWN members discuss ideas and share experiences towards women’s economic empowerment.

KWN Convenes Economic Empowerment Group

05.04.2013

KWN organized a workshop with its Economic Empowerment Working Group on 6 Mar. The workshop had two sessions: Economic
Empowerment of Women through Income Generation and the Rights of Women on Inheritance and Property.
The first session was attended by 21 representatives of 17 KWN member organizations. KWN member NGOs presented their work
towards women’s economic empowerment. Then Besa Shehu, KWN Administrative and Finance Manager, opened a discussion on steps
towards economically empowering women in Kosovo via income generation.
KWN presented the idea of supporting its members to pool their members’ handmade products for sale. Among the proposed steps included: collecting women’s handmade products for presentation; photographing products; and gathering information on inputs and timeframes required for production. Members also discussed the need to standardize products for export. They decided that products must be based on traditions, but also innovative and adapted to current market demands. Members agreed to produce a short documentary about women’s handmade products, assisted by Albulena Shabani, a mtvU Fulbright Fellow in Filmmaking.
The second Working Group on “Women’s Inheritance and Property Rights” involved seven KWN member organizations. In Kosovo, the traditional, patriarchal mentality and insufficient citizen knowledge obstruct the implementation of the Law on Inheritance and Property. Participants discussed the financial freedom and stability that this law can give women. Women’s economic empowerment also contributes to minimizing the likeliness that women might suffer violence.
During the workshop, KWN members generated ideas for implementing and enforcing this law. They proposed that KWN involve law students in monitoring judges to identify whether they are implementing the law. Members also discussed organizing awareness campaigns to educate the population about women’s and men’s legal rights.
KWN is currently seeking funds to undertake the initiatives recommended by members.

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

KWN members take part in an interactive three-day workshop in project proposal writing.

Members Attend Proposal Writing Workshop

05.04.2013

In response to members’ demands, KWN organized a second workshop on Project Proposal Writing in Prishtina on 28 Feb. through
2 Mar.
“I am really grateful to KWN for organizing such workshops. They help us a lot,” said Gjejrone Lokaj, from Women’s Initiative
Association in Dragash. “Even though Dragash is far from Prishtina, I feel very close with KWN staff as I know they’re always there to support us.”
The three-day interactive workshop gathered 52 participants from various KWN member NGOs. It covered problem analysis, objective
analysis, logical frameworks, monitoring and evaluation.
“This was a very good workshop,” said Gjyle Laçaj, from NGO Teuta in Prizren. “It is especially good for those of us who are writing a project proposal for the first time; it’s quite attractive and clear, so I can easily follow it.”
The Project Proposal Writing Workshop enabled KWN members to understand the tools and techniques of effective proposal writing. It used interactive sessions with small group exercises, based on the experiences of participants and their organizational interests to create project ideas.
“I find the work in groups very helpful,” said Fikrije Ferizi, from CSO “ATO” in Vushtrri. “I think I will be able to pass the information on to my colleagues.”
The workshop also offered KWN member organizations the opportunity to network with each other and to identify potential areas for future collaboration.
“Even though I have experience writing project proposals, I still come to these kinds of workshops in order to share experience with other NGOs,” said a member of Legjenda organization from Viti. “Also, different donors have different demands for project proposals and different trainers have their own ways of explaining.”
The workshop was organized as part of KWN’s Capacity Building Program. It was funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), as a follow-up to the initial workshop organized in December 2012.
The workshop has contributed substantially to women’s organizations’ ability to write project proposals. This was particularly obvious when comparing the project proposals submitted to the Kosovo Women’s Fund’s second grant round to those submitted in 2012.
KWN plans to host monthly capacity development opportunities for its members throughout 2013, based on their identified needs.

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

KWN Condemns the Physical Attack against Human Rights Activist Nazlie Bala

28.03.2013

On Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at approximately 20:35, Human Rights Activist Nazlie Bala was physically attacked at the entrance to her apartment. She was then threatened: “Be aware that we will kill you.”
The Kosova Women’s Network (KWN) condemns this attack, and we demand urgently an investigation by the Kosovo Police, as well as immediate protection for Nazlie Bala.

This attack follows the threat made to Nazlie Bala’s life on March 20, 2013, which stated that if she protects “the shame,” a bullet “awaits” her. These threats and attacks have been a consequence of her appearance on RTK show “Në Kërkim” (“In Search”) last week, when Bala provided evidence related to rapes perpetrated against women during the war in Kosovo.

The attack against Nazlie Bala, a renowned women’s rights activist, is not only an attack against her, but an attack on all of our efforts to protect the dignity of women survivors of sexual violence during the war.

We inform the attackers that such threats and violence will never deter our efforts to further justice in our country and to restore the dignity of women survivors of violence.

We are all Nazlie Bala!
 

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

KWN Condemns the Physical Attack against Human Rights Activist Nazlie Bala

27.03.2013

On Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at approximately 20:35, Human Rights Activist Nazlie Bala was physically attacked at the entrance to her apartment. She was then threatened: “Be aware that we will kill you.” The Kosova Women’s Network (KWN) condemns this attack, and we demand urgently an investigation by the Kosovo Police, as well as immediate protection for Nazlie Bala. This attack follows the threat made to Nazlie Bala’s life on March 20, 2013, which stated that if she protects “the shame,” a bullet “awaits” her. These threats and attacks have been a consequence of her appearance on RTK show “Në Kërkim” (“In Search”) last week, when Bala provided evidence related to rapes perpetrated against women during the war in Kosovo. The attack against Nazlie Bala, a renowned women’s rights activist, is not only an attack against her, but an attack on all of our efforts to protect the dignity of women survivors of sexual violence during the war. We inform the attackers that such threats and violence will never deter our efforts to further justice in our country and to restore the dignity of women survivors of violence. We are all Nazlie Bala!

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 Condemns Threats Made against Human Rights Activist Nazlie Bala

21.03.2013

The Kosova Women’s Network expresses our deep concern regarding threats made against human rights activist Nazlie Bala. Yesterday, in the late afternoon, she received an anonymous letter, threatening her life. The letter was slipped under the door of her
apartment. It read: “Please do not protect the shame. Otherwise, we’ll kill you.”

The threat is directly related to her appearance on the Radio Television Kosova (RTK) show “Në kërkim” (“In Search”). On the program, she advocated for the proposed amendment to include persons who suffered sexual violence during the war in the existing law for all categories of victims of war.

The threat made against Nazlie Bala is a threat to all women and men who advocate for women’s rights as human rights; we have worked together and will continue to collaborate towards ensuring the protection of persons who suffered during the war.

On 8 March 2012, the Kosova Women’s Network entered the streets in protest with the slogan: “Forget flowers: We want justice for women and girls raped during the war.” Since then, many organizations, government officials and women’s rights activists have collaborated to encourage bringing this amendment to the Parliament of Kosovo. The proposed amendment to the law brings hope for women who have suffered for too long.

We wish to emphasize and inform the public that Nazlie Bala has been a prominent human rights activist since the 1990s. She began her voluntary commitment to human rights, working with the Council for Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF). For 23 years
since then, she has continually supported and empowered women.

Whatever the motive of those who seek to undermine the proposed amendment, we inform them that their efforts shall not succeed. All caring citizens will support the proposed amendments to this law: the amendments will ensure rehabilitative care for persons hit hard by the war while defending their dignity. 

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