KWN representatives Violeta Selimi and Igballe Rogova describe the “Women Propose” Campaign at a press conference with OSCE representative Sven Lindholm and Barbara Burri from the Swiss Cooperation and Development Office.

Women Propose Campaign Encourages Women’s Participation in Elections

21.01.2013

A continuation of KWN’s earlier Political Parties Work for Women Campaign, the Women Propose Campaign continued to promote greater and more effective participation of women in the fall 2004 elections, both as voters and as candidates from all political parties. The campaign consisted of a series of public meetings that brought together women candidates and citizens in each municipality. Violeta Selimi was the Campaign Coordinator. The campaign was supported by OSCE and the Swiss Cooperation and Development Office (SCDO), with technical assistance from STAR Network of World Learning and UNIFEM.

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 Launches New Ethical and Accountability Code

20.01.2013

In 2006 KWN became the first network of non-governmental organizations in Kosova to adopt a code of conduct. Our members acknowledge that transparency and accountability are qualities non-profit, nongovernmental organizations must possess in order to demonstrate to citizens, partners, and donors that organizations work in service to the public.

Therefore, all 80 of our member organizations consulted in the drafting process and then signed the new Kosova Women’s Network Ethics and Accountability Code, agreeing to meet the high standards of transparency and accountability within the code. The code includes six basic principles: Mission and Program, Good Governance, Human Resources, Financial Transparency and Accountability, Civic Responsibility, and Partnerships and Networking.

KWN provides individualized and group support to members toward implementing the code. Thus, the code helps members build their capacity as organizations toward a more sustainable future. Fulfilling the principles within the code will make them stronger organizations, so
they can secure public trust and better support for their future work. By empowering our members, we gain strength as a network. In addition, by establishing clear standards for our members, we set an example for other non-governmental organizations and can continue to demand accountability and transparency from Kosova’s governing authorities as well.

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 Meets Women Activists from Liberia, Afghanistan and Congo

20.01.2013

Through its “Building Peace” project, founding organization Medica mondiale, based in Germany, cooperated with its Kosovar partner, Medica Kosova, to organize a one week meeting of sister projects from Liberia, Afghanistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

During a weeklong visit to Kosova, representatives of these countries, their German colleagues, and the ISIS European (International Security Information Service) representative met with KWN in Prishtina. The meeting aimed to introduce women’s rights activists from these countries. KWN also shared its experience of establishing the Network after the war, as well as efforts toward including all ethnic groups in KWN activities. KWN Executive Director Igballe Rogova welcomed the representatives from Liberia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Afghanistan. She emphasized the need for women’s will and strength in building powerful networks that prevent political influence from donors and extend beyond ethnic and religious boundaries.

Rogova offered examples from the Network’s work in carrying out advocacy campaigns and other activities. The participants were inspired and encouraged by KWN’s experiences.

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 Members Hone Skills in Proposal Writing

20.01.2013

Since KWN began, members have requested a workshop on Project Proposal Writing. In response to members’ demands, KWN organized two such workshops in Prishtina on 6-7 and 10-11 December, respectively.
“We really need workshops like the one on Project Proposal Writing,” said Bahrie Deva from the Association for the Education and Care of the Family in Gjakova, a KWN member organization.
The two-day interactive workshops covered project proposal writing basics, including project proposal content, results-based management, stakeholder analysis, problem analysis and problem trees and the hierarchy of objectives within a logical framework. The more than 50 participants took home concrete skills in project proposal writing.
“Even though I have quite a lot of experience in the NGO sector, when writing project proposals I used to mix goals with objectives. After this workshop, I can differentiate them and tell which is which,” said Ola Syla from Women’s Association Light of Krusha, another KWN member.
The workshop was led by KWN staff members who possess experience and expertise in proposal writing: Nicole Farnsworth, Albertina Binaku and Zana Rudi.

“This workshop has helped me and my colleagues a lot and has been the first of its kind for us,”

said Kadrije Tahiraj from the Centre for Protection of Women and Children in Drenas. “We appreciate it and the fact that KWN organized it for free for us. We know that in other places in the world, you must pay to participate in such workshops.”
In addition to offering free of charge follow-up mentoring to members when they write future project proposals, KWN staff plan to offer follow-up workshops in risk analysis, monitoring and evaluation in 2013.
Based on members’ requests, KWN also organized a one-day workshop on Budgeting and Financial Management on 20 December. KWN Finance Manager Besa Shehu led the workshop, which included budget planning for projects, financial management, controls, reporting, Excel formulas, and calculating salaries, including tax and pension contributions.
KWN will offer additional capacity-building opportunities for its members in 2013, based on members’ requests. These services are provided to KWN members as part of the KWN Capacity Building Program, funded by Kvinna till Kvinna.

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 Welcomes 100th Member Organization: “Prehja”

20.01.2013

KWN welcomed its 100th member organization, “Prehja” from Skenderaj, in October 2012. Since its establishment in 2000, KWN has grown from its initial 36 members. KWN marked this momentous event by donating a computer to its newest member.

Prehja actively works to raise awareness and empower women. Founded in 2003, the organization focuses especially on providing support to women who suffer from breast cancer. They plan to use their new computer to facilitate this important work.

KWN is a leader among civil society organizations in Kosovo and the region, representing the interests of women’s organizations of all ethnic groups from throughout Kosovo. Since its inception, KWN has held regular members’ meetings, workshops and activities involving its members. They are informed about KWN activities, opportunities to develop their capacities and funding possibilities. Our 100 member organizations have the opportunity to meet many times during the year, share ideas, learn new strategies and initiate cooperative efforts.

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

Members Start Implementing KWN Ethical and Accountability Code

20.01.2013

In 2006, KWN members adopted the KWN Ethical and Accountability Code. The document sets standards of accountability and transparency for KWN members. The code includes six basic principles: Mission and Program, Good Governance, Human Resources, Financial Transparency and Accountability, Civic Responsibility and Partnerships, and Networking. Most importantly, the code is meant to assist members with building their capacity as organizations towards a sustainable future. KWN members signed an agreement to implement the code and began work toward incorporating the principles within the code into their work.

In November 2007, KWN representatives began visiting KWN member organizations with an application to help members evaluate progress made toward implementing the code this year. Many members have filled out applications and prepared the accompanying documentation, as stipulated within the code. In early 2008 an evaluation committee comprised of five stakeholders elected by KWN member organizations at the annual meeting will evaluate if members have met at least 30 percent of the code in 2007, a pre-requisite to remaining a KWN member in 2008. KWN prepared the Ethical and Accountability Code in Albanian, Serbian, and English, in order to further explain the code to members, future potential members, partners, and potential donors (supported by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation).

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 Activists from Israel and Palestine Visit Kosova

20.01.2013

From October 11 to 16, with support from the Swedish organization Kvinna till Kvinna, KWN hosted a delegation of women’s organizations from Israel and Palestine. After spending some time in Serbia, they came to Kosova together with representatives of the Women in Black Network. The purpose of the visit was to share experiences with women’s organizations in South East Europe. The delegation visited women’s organizations in Prishtina, such as: Dera e Hapur (Open Door) and the Kosova Gender Studies Center. In Gjilan they visited Liria, and in Gjakova Medica Kosova hosted the delegation. They also visited Community Building Mitrovica (CBM) and took part in some activities. In Ugljare they heard about activities organized by the Serbian Women’s Network of Kosova.

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 in Black Network Serbia, KWN Form Women’s Peace Coalition

20.01.2013

The Kosova Women’s Network cooperated with Women in Black Network Serbia to form the Women’s Peace Coalition on 7 May. The coalition, comprised of activists from Kosova and Serbia, seeks to make women’s perspectives more visible in the political affairs of Serbia and Kosova. Striving toward just and sustainable peace, the Women’s Peace Coalition works for the inclusion of women in peace-building processes as equal partners. Founded on women’s solidarity, it is an independent citizens’ initiative that crosses national, ethnic, and religious borders, barriers, and divisions. The coalition received support from the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM).

In its first major action, the Coalition issued a statement to inform Kosova’s final status negotiations on the preservation and protection of cultural heritage sites in Serbia and Kosova. In a letter to the negotiation teams, the coalition stressed the need to identify and preserve cultural sites like churches, mosques, and cathedrals from physical degradation and political exploitation. “Cultural sites are linked to the cultural heritage, history and communities of all ethnic groups, and thus all ethnic groups have the right to share, preserve and protect these heritage sites,” the statement said. Throughout 2006, the Women’s Peace Coalition wrote letters to and met with key decision-makers, namely UN Secretary General Envoy in Charge of the Negotiations on the Future Status of Kosova President Martti Ahtisaari. The Coalition contributed to the implementation of UNSCR 1325 by making women’s voices heard in peace processes.

September marked a historical moment for sustainable peace in Kosova, Serbia, and the region. The Women’s Peace Coalition held a three day conference on “Women, Peace and Security” in Struga, Macedonia to bring visibility to the work of women peace activists in creating stable and just peace in the region. The conference occurred parallel to the official negotiations on the final status of Kosova. In a joint statement, sixty Kosovar and Serbian women’s peace activists concluded that peace in the region is not possible without the active participation of women. Further, they supported the independence and territorial integrity of Kosova as a civil state with a functional legal system. They also demanded that the needs of all citizens, women and men, form the basis for peace and security in Kosova; that the relevant institutions adopt a concept of human security, especially from a gender perspective, according to UNSCR 1325; and that women be included in all decision-making processes at all levels.

During the conference, the coalition created a one-year action plan. The plan called for increased dialogue between women of all ethnic groups from Serbia and Kosova through encounters and discussions about security for vulnerable groups, Kosova’s final political status, and women’s involvement in decision-making. Women-led organizations with similar missions in Serbia and Kosova made plans to hold more networking and joint activities. Organizations also planned to further support women’s human rights, especially reproductive rights.

The numerous agreements reached among the Serb and Kosovar participants during the conference demonstrated how negotiation processes surrounding Kosova’s final status missed opportunities for peace by failing to involve women.

In a historic moment, Women in Black Network Serbia representatives apologized for the crimes and terror committed in their name by the Serbian regime against Kosovar Albanians. Their apology was broadcast on Radio Television Kosova, marking the first public apology made for crimes committed against Albanians during the war. Activists noted the importance of official apologies in the healing process as a necessary prerequisite for sustainable peace.
 

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

A committee counts KWN member organizations’ votes for the first KWN Board of Directors.

Women’s Organizations Build a Network

20.01.2013

On 9 December 2003, KWN held its First Annual Membership Meeting in Prishtina. More than 50 network members and supporters discussed ways to build the network and its membership. Network members also elected the first seven-member KWN Board of Directors. During their first meeting, the Board elected Naxhije Buçinca to serve as the Chair of the Board.

In January 2004, KWN opened its first office in Prishtina with support from STAR Network of World Leaning, the Kosova Foundation for Open Society and the Canadian Kosova Local Initiative Program. The network later changed offices in September 2004.

In 2004, KWN engaged members and partners in a strategic planning process that resulted in the KWN Strategic Plan for 2005 – 2008.

KWN held its Second Annual Membership Meeting on 4 December 2004 in Prishtina. KWN presented its draft annual report and the KWN Strategic Plan. The 90 KWN members and supporters who attended the meeting provided feedback on KWN’s work so far and discussed projects for 2005. Two new Board others were reelected

By the end of 2004, KWN had increased its membership from 42 to 70 organizations.

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

New Groups Encourage Breastfeeding among Mothers

19.01.2013

The “Women to Women Support Group for breastfeeding mothers” project started in October 2004 and ended in March 2005. The project was conducted in cooperation with UNICEF, the Kosova Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) Working Group, and local NGOs. The UNICEF-funded project aimed to increase the exclusive breastfeeding rate by establishing functional and sustainable “women to women” support groups in six locations. The support groups primarily supported, protected, and promoted breastfeeding at the community level. The groups emphasized the importance of breastfeeding during the first six months.

KWN created and maintained close communication with maternity wards in order to collect information on new mothers, and, if necessary, pay them a home visit. The support groups consulted with mothers, women, and family members about the importance of breastfeeding and lactation management.

Discussions took place in NGO centers and offices, as well as through telephone consultations or home visits. KWN offered information and consultancy on breastfeeding without discrimination and with special attention to women from the Roma, Ashkalia and Egyptian communities, as well as women living in rural areas.

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