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.

06.05.26

Loud Enough: Film Screening Sparks Dialogue on Justice and Sexual Violence Survivors’ Rights

05.05.26

Investing in Gender Equality in the EU Budget through Research Funding

30.04.26

Kosovo Hosts RESPONDER Partnership’s First Meeting, Co-Planning Research on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Aid Workers and Peacekeepers

30.04.26

From Struggle to Confidence: Supporting Girls in Their Teenage Years

30.04.26

New Paper Monitors Gender Equality in Kosovo’s Public Spending

29.04.26

Justice for survivors of gender-based violence: A success story from the Kosovo Women’s Network

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.

06.05.26

Loud Enough: Film Screening Sparks Dialogue on Justice and Sexual Violence Survivors’ Rights

05.05.26

Investing in Gender Equality in the EU Budget through Research Funding

30.04.26

Kosovo Hosts RESPONDER Partnership’s First Meeting, Co-Planning Research on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Aid Workers and Peacekeepers

30.04.26

From Struggle to Confidence: Supporting Girls in Their Teenage Years

30.04.26

New Paper Monitors Gender Equality in Kosovo’s Public Spending

29.04.26

Justice for survivors of gender-based violence: A success story from the Kosovo Women’s Network

Lina Andeer from KtK and Elmaze Gashi, KWN Board Chair listen as Christian Geosits from ADA announces support for KWN, members.

KWN Members Convene, Celebrate 10th Annual Membership Meeting

19.01.2013

Approximately 160 people took part in the Kosovo Women’s Network’s (KWN) 10th Annual Membership Meeting on December 15 in Prishtina, making it the best attended membership meeting ever held by KWN. Participants included representatives of KWN member organizations, partners, donors and media.

The meeting began with beautiful music by Lira Women’s Choir, a KWN member, and a poem written and performed by actress and activist Safete Rogova. Then Elmaze Gashi, KWN Chair of the Board opened the meeting. She read her letter, published in KWN’s Annual Report, which reflected on KWN’s progress in 2012. She emphasized that since the personal is political, the struggle for achieving women’s rights is and has always been political; therefore KWN’s work is and must be political, as well.

“The reason why we are here is to help organizations become more stable and stronger in the communities in which they operate,” said
Lina Andeer, a representative of KWN’s partner and supporter Kvinna till Kvinna (KtK). KtK supported the establishment of the KWN Kosovo Women’s Fund for this purpose. It enables organizations to access small grants, supporting their hard work to strengthen the position of women in society.

In addition to KtK’s continued support of the Kosovo Women’s Fund, KWN was pleased to welcome Christian Geosits, a representative of Austrian Development Agency (ADA), who announced the official start of their two-year support to KWN.
“I am very pleased to be working to raise funds for women in Kosovo,” he said. ADA will fund €80,000 in grants to KWN members in 2013-2014, as well as KWN-supported Gender Equality Advocacy Groups in 13 municipalities.

Executive Director Igballe Rogova then reported on KWN’s work in 2012 and priorities for 2013. KWN members had the opportunity to speak about KWN’s work and to exchange information about their activities in 2012.

“I would like to thank KWN staff for the support they have provided in different areas for us,” said Bajramshahe Jetullahu from the Blind Women’s Committee, “including the recent workshop for writing project proposals and other assistance that KWN and Igballe Rogova as its leader have given to us in order to improve the situation and position of blind women in Kosovo.” She then awarded Igballe Rogova with a certificate of recognition.

After lunch, famous Kosovar singer Rona Nishliu performed her new song, “Only the heart speaks accurately.” She composed the song for the ”Be cool, do not slap” campaign against violence, organized by the Kosovar Gender Studies Centre, Multimedia and Youth Initiative for Human Rights.

After her performance, Rona was the first to select a number for the KWN lottery, during which KWN awarded prizes to its members.

The following members won prizes:

  • Sadije Dulahu from NGO Lulishtja: a desktop computer
  • Gjylfidane Morina from We are Part of the World: a laptop
  • Advije Gashi from Norma: a smart phone
  • Valire Buza from Lira: two CDs
  • Hasime Tahiri from Opportunity: a PC mouse
  • Ola Syla from Light of Krusha: a USB won
  • Mimoza Paçuku from the Network of Women’s Organizations of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians in Kosovo: a USB
  • Atifete Aziri from Legjenda: other items

KWN then recognized three outstanding activists from the region: Delina Fico from Albania as an inspiration to and continuous supporter of the network; Lepa Mladenovic from Serbia as a feminist sister across borders; and Dr. Zylfie Gjoni Duraku, Head of Anima from Ulqin, Montenegro for her work as an activist for women’s and girls’ rights.

Finally, KWN members elected four new Board members: Elmaze Gashi, Ariana Qosaj-Mustafa, Nermin Mahmutaj and Ola Syla. At the end of the day, KWN members also submitted their evaluations of KWN and its work in 2012, along with two surveys about their organizations and next steps after the Millennium Development Goals, respectively.

The meeting concluded with a large cake decorated with fireworks, celebrating KWN’s 10th Annual Membership Meeting. Members had the opportunity to network, share energies and discuss 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

Kosovar Women Peace and Security Delegation Visits Brussels

19.01.2013

Women Peace and Security Delegation experts from Kosovo visited Brussels in the end of November 2012. The delegation involved Suzana Novoberdaliu, Member of the Parliament of Republic of Kosovo and Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights, Gender Equality, Missing Persons and Petitions; Edona Hajrullahu, Chief Executive Officer of the Agency for Gender Equality in the Office of the Prime Minister; Elmina Mahmuti, Regional Commander of the Kosovo Police in Gjilan; and Igballe Rogova, KWN Executive Director.

The advocacy visit was organized by UN Women, United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The visit involved meetings with various European institutions.

During a meeting with a delegation from the Directorate-General for Enlargement at the European Commission, Kosovar women raised the following issues: including a separate section focused on gender equality within Kosovo’s annual progress report; including women’s concerns related to transitional justice in the Prishtina – Belgrade political dialogue; visa liberalization; more accessible funding for women’s groups, such as through a micro-grants scheme; and capacity building for civil society and government officials, so that they can apply for IPA funds.

In a meeting with Member of European Parliament Marije Cornelissen, Kosovar experts discussed her report, including the Role of EOU related to gender equality; the role of civil society and its cooperation with the government; and challenges to implementing Kosovo’s existing laws. They also presented key challenges facing women, such as: property ownership; low participation in decision-making; and the unresolved status of survivors of conflict, including of sexual violence.

Kosovar experts also met with the European External Action Service (EEAS), where they emphasized the need include women and women’s concerns in the political dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade and to tackle the issue of missing persons during the dialogue.

The Kosovo delegation also called for the establishment of an instrument that obliges the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) to Kosovo to regularly consult with gender advocates. Suggestions for the European Union Rule of Law Mission to Kosovo (EULEX) were also made during this meeting, including that EULEX have a more comprehensible and transparent approach and deal more with criminal cases related to survivors of sexual violence.

Kosovar experts then met with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) representatives, including Mari Skåre, the Secretary General’s Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security. In addition to hearing experiences with mainstreaming gender within NATO, Kosovar experts addressed their concerns regarding security in North Mitrovica, where KFOR still has a relatively wide mandate. They requested continued support in fighting human trafficking, since KFOR has a mandate across borders.

Finally, during a meeting with the European Peace-building Liaison Office (EPLO), Kosovar experts discussed the Action Plan for United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 that is being drafted in Kosovo; the possibility of EPLO’s enlargement and the involvement of more Kosovo organizations; exchanging experiences with EPLO member organizations; and potentially organizing a brown bag lunch event at EPLO related to the political dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade and/or women’s leadership in Kosovo.

06.05.26

Loud Enough: Film Screening Sparks Dialogue on Justice and Sexual Violence Survivors’ Rights

05.05.26

Investing in Gender Equality in the EU Budget through Research Funding

30.04.26

Kosovo Hosts RESPONDER Partnership’s First Meeting, Co-Planning Research on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Aid Workers and Peacekeepers

30.04.26

From Struggle to Confidence: Supporting Girls in Their Teenage Years

30.04.26

New Paper Monitors Gender Equality in Kosovo’s Public Spending

29.04.26

Justice for survivors of gender-based violence: A success story from the Kosovo Women’s Network

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

KWN Members Hone Skills in Proposal Writing

19.01.2013

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

Catalogue Honors Women on Albania’s 100th Anniversary of Independence

19.01.2013

On Albania’s 100th Anniversary of Independence, authors Gjylshen Berisha, Hanëmshahe Ilazi and Sanie Zeqiraj published a catalogue titled Nderim Gruas (Honour for Women).

“To the brave women of the nation who were not mentioned by a chronicler’s pencil or rhapsody strings, nor the caress of fairy tales,” wrote Hanëmshahe Ilazi in the introduction. “Many Albanian women who acted for national issues over the centuries along with men have remained anonymous,” Ilazi added.
     
Their book aims to bring women into Albanian history by cataloguing women from different periods of time, starting from the beginning of the 20th century. Women in the book come from various spheres of life, including Albanian speaking schools, humanitarians, politics, civil society, art, theatre, music and film.
     
“Let this catalogue be Benefactor’s offering on this special anniversary to all those women who worked and contributed directly or indirectly to freedom, independence, democracy and state-building,” said Gjylshen Berisha, one of the authors.

Benefactor, a nongovernmental organization established in 2007, published the catalogue. Benefactor aims to improve the lives of all people through art and culture, particularly older generations.
 

06.05.26

Loud Enough: Film Screening Sparks Dialogue on Justice and Sexual Violence Survivors’ Rights

05.05.26

Investing in Gender Equality in the EU Budget through Research Funding

30.04.26

Kosovo Hosts RESPONDER Partnership’s First Meeting, Co-Planning Research on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Aid Workers and Peacekeepers

30.04.26

From Struggle to Confidence: Supporting Girls in Their Teenage Years

30.04.26

New Paper Monitors Gender Equality in Kosovo’s Public Spending

29.04.26

Justice for survivors of gender-based violence: A success story from the Kosovo Women’s Network

KWN Condemns Threats Made against Human Rights Activist Nazlie Bala

31.10.2012

Download File

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

638 persons sign the petition requesting Justice for Diana – May 31, 2011

31.10.2012

Download File

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

Citizens Demand Health Insurance, Better Health Care on International Women’s Health Day – May 27, 2011

30.10.2012

Download File

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 Launches Kosovo Women’s Fund – Oct. 25, 2012

29.10.2012

Download File

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