Kosovo Women's Network

From Closed Doors to Open Conversations: Reaching Serbian Communities on GBV and TFGBV

30.01.2026

For many women and families within Serbian communities across Kosovo, discussing violence remains a significant challenge. Fear, social pressure and long-standing silence often prevent individuals from seeking information, asking questions or accessing support. These barriers are particularly pronounced in rural areas, where limited access to information on rights, safety and digital risks has contributed to isolation and vulnerability.

This reality began to shift when dialogue was initiated through direct, face-to-face engagement within people’s own homes.

Through intensive door-to-door outreach, Ženski Inkluzivni Centar (ŽEC) engaged women, men and families who had rarely, if ever, been included in discussions on gender-based violence (GBV) and technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV). These visits created safe, respectful and culturally sensitive spaces that enabled community members to speak openly about experiences, concerns and risks related to violence.

For many women, gaining information about protection mechanisms brought both reassurance and a renewed sense of confidence. As one single mother from Shterpce explained:

“Now I know who I can turn to and how to protect myself and my child.”

Another participant highlighted how access to information influenced her readiness to respond to violence:

“The information I received gave me the courage to respond if the violence happens again.”

Participants from rural areas emphasised that the outreach approach itself was essential, as it addressed structural and social barriers to women’s access to information. One woman noted:

“This is a very good way to educate women in rural areas about digital violence and violence in general. Because of geographic barriers, women are often deprived of education in this field, especially since patriarchal attitudes still dominate.”

Men also reported significant shifts in perspective as a result of the discussions. A 30-year-old participant from Brezovica reflected:

“As a man, I had never thought about how exposed women are to violence on social media. Every photo they post can become a reason for offensive comments, from men and even from other women.”

For some participants, the experience of being approached and included in such conversations was meaningful in itself. One woman shared:

“This is the first time someone has come to talk to me about this topic, so I am not even sure how to react.”

Through respectful dialogue, cultural sensitivity and sustained presence within the community, the outreach helped break silence, build trust and equip individuals with knowledge that supports safer decision-making and more informed responses to violence.

ŽEC has successfully completed the initiative “Addressing Gender-based Violence in Serbian Neighbourhoods”, contributing to the empowerment and support of ethnic Serbian women, girls, men and boys across Kosovo, with a particular focus on northern and rural areas, in preventing and responding to GBV and TFGBV.

Through intensive door-to-door engagement, a total of 3,054 individuals were reached, including 2,087 people in rural areas and 38 persons with disabilities, across the municipalities of Novoberda, Gracanica, North Mitrovica, Zvecan, Partesh/Pasjane, Gjilan, Ranilug, Shterpce, Zubin Potok and Leposavic. These interactions created safe spaces for dialogue, awareness-raising and trust-building. Educational leaflets and materials were distributed in Albanian, Serbian, Bosnian and Romani, ensuring that information on GBV and TFGBV was understandable and accessible, particularly for the most marginalised.

In addition to field-based activities, the initiative achieved notable impact in the digital space. Online content related to the initiative reached 202,000 views, contributing to increased awareness of digital violence and greater willingness to seek information and support.

The initiative was implemented by ŽEC within the framework of a project implemented by the East-West Management Institute (EWMI) and the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), illustrating how strategic collaboration can foster meaningful and sustainable change within minority communities in Kosovo.

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From Awareness to Action: KWN Supports Formal Complaints on Social Protection Rights

28.01.2026

As the Kosovo Women’s Network’s (KWN) initiative “Improving the Capacities of Civil Society to Increase Access to Quality Social Protection for Diverse Women and Men” moves closer to the conclusion of its information session series, the focus is increasingly shifting from awareness-raising to concrete follow-up actions. Discussions held across municipalities are now translating into practical steps aimed at addressing violations of civil rights related to social protection services.

Most recently, information sessions were held in Prizren and Gjakova, bringing together community members to discuss persistent barriers in accessing social services and the options available when rights are not respected. Beyond sharing information, these sessions encouraged participants to reflect on their own experiences with institutions and to consider formal complaint mechanisms as a tool for accountability.

An important component of the initiative has been the ongoing engagement of lawyer Fitim Gashi, who provides legal expertise and support in cases involving violations of civil rights related to social protection. As a direct outcome of the information sessions held so far, this support has now translated into practice, with two cases currently undergoing formal complaint procedures, addressing instances of denial of services and violations of beneficiaries’ rights.

“Legal aid is essential for turning awareness into real protection”, said Drita Sylejmani, Project Officer at KWN. “When individuals are supported to challenge violations through formal procedures, social protection rights move beyond policy and into practice”.

These developments highlight the importance of linking information with legal support. While many citizens are aware of the existence of social protection schemes, navigating procedures and challenging unlawful decisions remain significant obstacles. By combining community-based information sessions with legal expertise, the initiative helps ensure that awareness leads to effective action.

With three additional information sessions planned for February, KWN will continue engaging communities across Kosovo, further strengthening understanding of social protection rights and complaint mechanisms. As the series progresses toward its final phase, the emphasis remains on empowering individuals not only to know their rights, but also to actively claim them.

The initiative “Improving the Capacities of Civil Society to Increase Access to Quality Social Protection for Diverse Women and Men” is carried out by KWN and supported by the European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo.

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“For many women with disabilities, being seen and heard can feel impossible — until someone comes knocking at your door”

28.01.2026

Through door-to-door outreach, the Organisation of Persons with Muscular Dystrophy of Kosovo (OPDMK) has reached women with disabilities who have long been isolated, particularly in rural areas. These visits have created new connections, brought women into collective spaces for the first time, and strengthened trust within the community.

One woman described how being visited changed her sense of belonging:

“I am extremely happy that you visited me and that I am now part of a group of women who live with similar challenges. I am glad to be included in your activities, where I am learning about my rights and about opportunities for a better and more active life”.

Many beneficiaries highlighted how meaningful it was that the outreach was carried out by persons with disabilities themselves, which increased trust and openness.

“I was positively surprised. I never expected a person with a disability to come to visit us in the field and support us directly. This initiative made me feel valued and gave me the courage to speak about my experiences. I truly hope these visits continue, because they have a real impact on our lives”.

Another woman emphasised how empowering it was to receive information from someone facing similar challenges:

“At first, I could not believe that someone like me, a person using a wheelchair, would come personally to my home to inform me and listen to me. It was the first time I truly felt understood and equal. Receiving information about digital violence and protection from someone who faces similar challenges gave me confidence, trust, and strength”.

OPDMK has successfully completed the initiative “Addressing Gender-based Violence in Kosovo among People with Disabilities”, making a significant contribution to empowering and supporting persons with disabilities in the prevention and response to gender-based violence (GBV) and technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV).

This initiative was implemented through a creative and inclusive public education approach, aimed at strengthening the knowledge and capacities of persons with disabilities to identify, report and respond to cases of GBV and TFGBV. Considering the multiple structural and institutional barriers faced by persons with disabilities, including lack of accessibility, institutional neglect and social exclusion, OPDMK engaged communities through an intensive door-to-door outreach campaign.

Through direct field visits, a total of 1,352 individuals were reached, including 407 persons with disabilities, across the municipalities of Prizren, Suhareka, Mitrovica, Prishtina, Gjakova, Ferizaj, and Gjilan. Educational leaflets and materials were distributed in Albanian, Serbian, Bosnian and Romani, ensuring that information on GBV and TFGBV was understandable and accessible to all, particularly to the most marginalised groups. The direct approach enabled open and accessible communication, creating safe spaces for information sharing, awareness-raising, and trust-building within the community.

In addition to on-the-ground activities, the initiative achieved substantial impact in the digital space. Through sponsored social media posts, the campaign got over 900,000 views, significantly expanding the reach of its messages and increasing public awareness of the specific challenges faced by persons with disabilities.

The initiative was implemented by OPDMK within the framework of a project implemented by the East-West Management Institute (EWMI) and the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), illustrating how strategic cooperation can lead to meaningful and sustainable change in the lives of persons with disabilities in Kosovo.

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From Silence to Awareness: Empowering Women and Youth in Deçan to Prevent Gender-based Violence

28.01.2026

In the municipality of Deçan, gender-based violence has long been shaped by silence, stigma and deeply rooted stereotypes. Despite existing legal frameworks, domestic violence continues to affect women severely, while many young people grow up without adequate knowledge about their rights, reporting mechanisms or the responsibilities of institutions.

To respond to this reality, the NGO Jeta launched a series of coordinated activities aimed at raising awareness, strengthening prevention and encouraging reporting of gender-based violence through public mobilisation, education and institutional engagement. The initiative began with a public march in the centre of Deçan, organised as a visible protest against domestic violence and the killing of women. More than 50 women and girls joined the march, alongside the Mayor of Deçan, municipal assembly members and representatives of local institutions. Participants wore white ribbons and scarves and marched from the Municipal Assembly through the city centre, delivering strong messages calling for zero tolerance toward violence against women.

The event was promoted through social media and covered by local media outlets, reaching over 500 citizens. For Deçan, a small municipality, this marked the first public event of its kind, sending a clear message that violence against women is a societal issue that demands collective responsibility.

Educating Youth Where Attitudes Are Formed

A central component of the initiative was education in schools. Over the course of the project, 12 lectures were held in primary and secondary schools across Deçan and surrounding villages. In total, 301 students participated directly.

The sessions addressed different forms of domestic violence, sexual violence, sexual harassment, bullying, reporting procedures and institutional responsibilities. For many students, it was the first time they learned that domestic violence is a criminal offence and that legal protection mechanisms exist. Discussions also revealed persistent gender stereotypes, particularly among male students, while many girls initially felt hesitant to express their opinions, highlighting the inequalities that continue to shape young people’s experiences.

Creating Safe Spaces for Women

Parallel to school-based activities, women of different ages gathered at the premises of Jeta to learn how to identify psychological, physical, sexual and economic violence. Through facilitated discussions, participants explored abusive behaviours, social barriers to equality, coping strategies and the long-term consequences of violence on women, families and society.

With the support of professional experts, women also discussed sexual harassment and the laws that criminalise it. For many participants, these sessions represented the first opportunity to openly reflect on their experiences and understand that violence is neither normal nor acceptable.

Strengthening Institutional Engagement

To ensure broader impact, a one-day workshop brought together 40 representatives from institutions, including school directors, municipal officials, civil society organisations and media. The workshop concluded the initiative and resulted in concrete recommendations, such as the establishment of a municipal coordination mechanism against domestic violence and the need to increase the number of psychologists in secondary schools.

Education officials acknowledged the growing levels of violence among students and expressed readiness to cooperate with civil society organisations to continue awareness activities in schools, beyond the project’s timeframe.

Extending Awareness Beyond Direct Participants

Jeta actively used its social media platforms to share educational content and campaign messages related to gender-based violence, prevention and reporting. Materials published online reflected the same themes addressed during lectures and workshops, including forms of domestic violence, sexual harassment, institutional responsibilities and the importance of early reporting. Through this online outreach, the initiative reached approximately 2,000 indirect beneficiaries, allowing information to circulate beyond classrooms and meeting rooms and into the wider community.

Public awareness was further strengthened through symbolic actions. On International Women’s Day, Jeta organised the “Red Shoes” installation in the centre of Deçan. Red shoes and flowers were displayed, and participants wrote messages in remembrance of women who lost their lives because of domestic violence in Kosovo. The installation created a powerful visual reminder of the human cost of violence and encouraged reflection among passersby, reinforcing the urgency of prevention and collective responsibility.

From Awareness to Lasting Impact

Despite its six-month duration and the limitations caused by COVID-19 restrictions, the initiative contributed to increased awareness among women, young people and local institutions. Participants reported a clearer understanding of gender-based violence, the mechanisms available for reporting, and the roles of institutions in prevention and protection. For many students, the activities highlighted how limited their prior knowledge had been, while also emphasising the importance of early intervention, education and open discussion. By addressing attitudes, stereotypes and lack of information, the initiative helped lay the groundwork for a stronger culture of prevention in the Municipality of Deçan.

The NGO Jeta’s initiative “Empowering women and young people to prevent gender-based violence in line with the Istanbul Convention” was carried out with the support from the Kosovo Women’s Network’s (KWN) Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF), financed by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and co-financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), in the amount of 4,856€, from October 2021 to March 2022. The initiative contributed directly to KWN’s Programme “Gender Transformative Education”.

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“Follow Up” Brings Sexual Consent into Focus in Pristina’s High Schools

27.01.2026

Across high schools in Pristina, students sit through civic education lessons that teach them about democracy, responsibility and their role in society. But one topic that directly affects their daily lives, consent, is nowhere to be found in textbooks or classrooms. While young people face growing risks of harassment, violence and misinformation, sexual education remains absent from Kosovo’s curriculum. This means many teenagers leave school without the basic knowledge they need to understand bodily autonomy, set safe boundaries, or seek help when something feels wrong.

The NGO “Follow Up” witnessed the consequences of this gap. During previous activities with youth, the organisation found that around 90% of students did not know what sexual consent meant, often misunderstanding the term as attraction because of how the word consent is used in everyday language. Students also said they had never encountered the concept in any subject, either at school or at home.

Evaluating How Consent is Reflected in Classes

To address this issue, “Follow Up” launched an initiative with the goal of understanding how consent is currently reflected in school materials and classroom practices, and what changes are needed to ensure students receive accurate, age-appropriate knowledge.

The first step was a detailed analysis of textbooks used in grades 10, 11 and 12. The findings revealed a consistent pattern that none of the books contained any dedicated lessons on sexual education or consent. Rather than engaging with real-life topics relevant to adolescents, the textbooks’ content remained highly theoretical.

“Follow Up” also interviewed civic education teachers from several high schools in Pristina. None of them were familiar with the term consent before the interview. Once the concept was explained, they recognised its importance but acknowledged that they had never addressed it in their classes because it does not appear in the curriculum. While teachers expressed willingness to teach about consent in the future, they emphasised that they would need proper training to do so safely and effectively. Female teachers also reported observing or hearing from students about instances of sexual harassment, while male teachers said they had not encountered such reports, revealing differences in what students feel comfortable disclosing. Several teachers noted that they expected resistance from parents if sensitive topics were introduced, reflecting broader social discomfort around sexual education.

Observing How Gender Norms Appear in Daily Teaching

“Follow Up” also observed classes to understand how content is delivered in practice. The observations showed that girls and boys generally participated equally, and classrooms offered a comfortable atmosphere for discussion. However, gendered communication patterns appeared frequently. Teachers encouraged participation using gender-specific language, and disciplinary phrases differed depending on whether they addressed girls or boys. In every observed case, monitoring tasks such as keeping track of assignments were assigned only to girls. Additionally, leadership roles were consistently referred to using male-gendered titles, reinforcing subtle norms about who is seen as a decision-maker.

Turning Evidence into Meaningful Change

Through this process, “Follow Up” gathered the first evidence-based picture of how sexual consent is currently, and often not at all, integrated into the learning experience of high school students in Pristina. The findings were compiled into a policy brief designed to support institutional dialogue and future advocacy.

During the second phase of the project, “Follow Up” together with the Kosovo Women’s Network conducted an interactive training session with teachers, covering points and gaps identified during the classroom observations and interviews. They also organised a roundtable with participants from the Municipal Directorate of Education, the Centre for Social Work and the Municipal Coordination Mechanism against Domestic Violence, sharing key findings and recommendations from the policy brief and advocating for greater public discussion on the need for sexual education in the school curriculum.

By documenting what is missing and highlighting where teachers need support, “Follow Up” has opened the door for schools to begin addressing sexual consent in an informed, evidence-based way. In a society where silence around sexual violence continues to harm young people, this project marks an important movement toward classrooms where knowledge, respect and autonomy are part of every student’s learning experience.

Follow Up’s initiative “Analysis of the School Curriculum and Educational Approaches to Sexual Consent in High Schools” was carried out with support from the Kosovo Women’s Network’s (KWN) Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF), financed by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and co-financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), in the amount of €14,900 from June to November 2023 and from January to December 2024. The initiative contributed directly to KWN’s Programme “Gender Transformative Education”.

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Justice for a Victim of Gender-based Violence

23.01.2026

The Kosovo Women’s Network has achieved an important victory in protecting the rights of victims of gender-based violence. The victim, L.E., reported in May 2022 that her former brother-in-law had violated a protective order. After a lengthy judicial process and legal representation by the Network, in November 2025, the Basic Court in Pristina, Drenas branch, found the accused guilty of disobeying the court order.

The victim expressed her gratitude to the Network for the continuous support:

“Thanks to you, I was able to persevere and seek justice.”

Since 2021, when the Network began providing legal counseling and representation through lawyer Fitim Gashi, 148 women and girls who experienced gender-based violence have been assisted, and 392 cases of domestic violence have been monitored.

The Kosovo Women’s Network remains ready to support all victims of gender-based violence with free counseling and legal assistance at +383 48 105 800.

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KWN Joins New Global Coalition to Advance Accountability for Abuse by Humanitarian Responders

19.01.2026

Imagine seeking safety in the midst of a crisis, only to be harmed by the very people tasked with helping and protecting you. For survivors of responder-perpetrated sexual exploitation and abuse (RP-SEA) by humanitarian and peacekeeping personnel, betrayal compounds trauma, turning places of supposed safety into sites of further violence.

Allegations of RP-SEA across humanitarian and peacekeeping contexts have persisted for decades, including cases involving children. While it remains widespread, the lack of reliable data has obscured the true scale of the problem, limiting accountability and reinforcing the misconception that these abuses are isolated incidents rather than structural failures.

In 2025, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) joined the informal Responder-Perpetrated Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Humanitarian Crises (RESPONDER) Partnership, a cross-disciplinary and international research collaboration aimed at countering RP-SEA by generating robust, survivor-informed evidence that can support advocacy, policy reform and more effective responses.

The now formalised Partnership is conducting research across six countries with a history of humanitarian and UN intervention: the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Lebanon, South Sudan, Haiti and Kosovo. Its objectives include estimating the size of populations affected by RP-SEA; examining how communities understand the risks and benefits of reporting; and exploring alternative approaches to accountability and reparative justice. A central focus is understanding how experiences differ for women and girls, men and boys, LGBTQI+ individuals, and persons with disabilities, whose perspectives are often excluded from conventional research and reporting systems.

To achieve this, the Partnership employs innovative research methodologies, including respondent-driven sampling and population size estimation, alongside in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. These approaches enable the collection of data that is more representative and generalisable, while also centring ethical, participatory engagement with communities. Partner organisations, including KWN, play a key role in ensuring meaningful local engagement and contributing contextual expertise essential to the research process.

By producing reliable evidence on the scale and dynamics of RP-SEA, the RESPONDER Partnership aims to support policy change, strengthen survivor-centred responses, and inform prevention strategies within humanitarian and peacekeeping sectors. The Partnership also prioritises building a global research and practice network and supporting civil society organisations to apply findings toward social reform, including in relation to responder-fathered children. In addition, the Partnership invests in the next generation of scholars by engaging students in collaborative and participatory research, strengthening interdisciplinary skills and professional networks.

KWN is proud to contribute its feminist, survivor-centred expertise toward humanitarian and peacekeeping missions free from abuse, that uphold the rights and dignity of all communities affected by crisis.

The RESPONDER Partnership is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) of Canada with substantial in-kind contributions by local partners including KWN.

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Kosovo Women’s Network Publishes Report “Zero Tolerance? Monitoring the Institutional Response to Gender-based Violence in Kosovo”

19.12.2025

The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) has published a new research report “Zero Tolerance? Monitoring the Institutional Response to Gender-based Violence in Kosovo”, which provides an in-depth analysis of the institutional response to gender-based violence based on the standards of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (known as the “Istanbul Convention”).

The report covers the period of 2021–2024 and is based on a comprehensive methodology that includes analysis of the legal framework, monitoring of the handling of violence cases by responsible institutions, interviews with institutional representatives, and review of official data.

The findings show that Kosovo has made significant progress in improving the legal framework with the adoption of the Law on Prevention and Protection from Domestic Violence, Violence against Women and Gender-based Violence, among other laws and policies. Nevertheless, their implementation remains insufficient and often uncoordinated. KWN’s monitoring suggest that by the end of 2024, only 54% of the activities of the National Strategy for Protection from Domestic Violence and Violence against Women had been fully implemented, 42% partially implemented and 5.5% not implemented.

The report highlights that digital and sexual violence remain under-treated. Harmful attitudes, such as victim blaming and attempts to “save the family” through reconciliation, continue to influence institutions’ handling of cases. Lack of human resources, specialised training and effective inter-institutional coordination remain key challenges undermining the safety and well-being of victims of violence.

The report provides concrete recommendations for responsible institutions, aiming to improve law enforcement, increase budgets for support services, strengthen a victim-centred approach and build a coordinated, effective institutional response. KWN calls on all relevant institutions to take immediate and sustained action towards a real “zero-tolerance” approach to addressing all forms of gender-based violence.

At the launching event today, Nermin Mahmuti, Chair of the KWN Board acknowledged that Kosovo has made progress in strengthening the legal framework to address gender-based violence. However, the main challenge remains implementation, she said. Moreover, she emphasised the key role of civil society as a frontline defender and supporter of survivors of violence. This, she said, continues despite recent funding cuts.

“Financial challenges faced by civil society organisations risk undermining the monitoring of the implementation of the legal framework, particularly for the most marginalised groups, including women with disabilities,” she said, further emphasizing the need for long-term and sustainable support for women’s organizations.

In her remarks, Sara Lindblom, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Sweden in Kosovo also emphasised the importance of civil society. “Civil society plays a role when it comes to legal aid and pushing for legal changes as well as advocacy and monitoring institutions’ performance and improving accountability.”

She continued, “Sweden strongly encourages the Government of Kosovo to strengthen interinstitutional cooperation and ensure there is enough budget and human resources.”

Key institutions joined KWN in discussing the findings, including Vlora Limani Hajnuni, Political Advisor at Ministry of Justice; Arjeta Sadiku, Deputy Chair, Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC), Blerim Shabani, Ministry of Justice and Arton Ahmeti, Secretary, Ministry of Finance. Participants agreed on the importance of continued collaboration among civil society and the government.

“Full effectiveness [in implementing the legal framework] will only be in a close inter-institutional cooperation in bringing justice to victims and supporting mechanisms in local and the central levels”, said Arjeta Sadiku, Deputy Chair, KJC.

“Our joint work with the Kosovo Women’s Network in developing modules for social workers, as well as the trainings we continue to deliver together, is helping us improve social services for victims of domestic violence, trafficking, and sexual violence,” said Mr. Shabani.

The report was produced with financial support from the Austrian Development Agency and co-financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.

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Inclusive Sexual Education: A Needed Change

18.12.2025

For many students in Kosovo, conversations about sexual health, consent and respect remain taboo. The country’s education system does not yet include sexual education as a dedicated subject within the curricula. Instead, topics related to sexual and reproductive health are scattered across several subjects, such as biology, psychology and civic education, and are usually addressed only superficially. Studies have shown that textbooks contain gender stereotypes and discriminatory language, and that discussions about consent, sexual harassment and violence are mostly absent.

At the same, research by the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) has revealed that close to 50 percent of Kosovars have experienced some form of sexual harassment during their lifetime, with women being disproportionately affected. These findings underscore the urgent need for inclusive sexual education that challenges stereotypes, eliminates stigma and promotes equality.

To address this, the Centre for Education and Community Development – Friends (CECD Friends) implemented an initiative with the goal of promoting comprehensive, gender-sensitive and stigma-free sexual education in Mitrovica’s primary schools.

Laying Groundwork Through Research

Researcher Rita Berisha analysed textbooks in biology, civic education and Albanian language to assess how sexuality-related topics were addressed. The study found that current materials treat such themes only partially and without clarity, confirming the need to update and supplement them with inclusive, gender-sensitive content.

This activity produced the first comprehensive report on sexual education in Kosovo’s primary-school textbooks, identifying major gaps and offering concrete recommendations for improving content and introducing new topics.

Observing Teaching Practices

CECD then conducted 12 classroom observations in two primary schools, to understand how sexual education is currently taught. The team also collected qualitative data through interviews with teachers. The findings helped CECD and KWN design a one-day training for teachers and school directors, focused on inclusive and gender-sensitive teaching methods. The training increased teachers’ awareness of how to discuss sexual education openly and with sensitivity to gender issues. Afterward, several teachers began incorporating the new approaches in practice. One of the participating teachers said: “I will definitely try to apply what we learned in my classes during this school year.”

Working with Students from Diverse Communities

Another component of the initiative involved direct engagement with students. CECD organised three educational sessions, attended by 79 students from Roma, Ashkali, Bosniak and Egyptian communities. The sessions introduced participants to key themes of comprehensive sexual education, including body awareness, consent, sexual and reproductive health, and the prevention of unwanted pregnancies. Students expressed that they were satisfied with the lesson content and had learned about new topics that are usually not addressed in school.

Advocacy and Institutional Outreach

Based on the research findings, CECD also prepared and sent an advocacy letter and the final report to the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI). They gave recommendations for improving textbooks and integrating comprehensive sexual education into the official curriculum. The advocacy letter received support from other local organisations in Mitrovica, showing strong civil society commitment to improving young people’s access to accurate and inclusive information on sexual and reproductive health.

Raising Public Awareness

To expand outreach beyond schools, CECD collaborated with Katror Media to design and launch a social media awareness campaign. The campaign included educational posts, research highlights and an animated video on sexual consent, sexual and reproductive health, and relevant national legislation, such as the Law on Health and the Law on Reproductive Health. The video and materials were shared on Facebook and YouTube, aiming to reach as many young people as possible and to challenge patriarchal attitudes surrounding sexual education. The campaign succeeded in reaching at least 60,000 people online, helping to increase awareness about sexual consent and gender equality while encouraging open public dialogue on issues often stigmatised in Kosovo.

All these activities collectively strengthened public dialogue around comprehensive sexual education and contributed to advocacy for policy improvements in Kosovo’s school system, while simultaneously providing students with age-appropriate information to care for their wellbeing and health. The initiative marks a meaningful step toward a more informed and inclusive education system, one where every student grows up equipped with the knowledge they need to make safe, healthy and respectful choices.

CECD’s initiative “Inclusive sexual education as a priority” was carried out with support from the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF), Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), financed by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and co-financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), in the amount of €9,933, from January to October 2024. The initiative contributed directly to KWN’s Programme “Gender Transformative Education”.

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Building Stronger Responses to Gender-based Violence Across Kosovo

18.12.2025

The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) recently organised a two-day workshop in Gjilan for professionals from the Centres for Social Work from the Gjilan and Ferizaj regions, focusing on domestic violence, sexual violence and trafficking. The workshop aimed to strengthen frontline responses by enhancing knowledge on case management, referral mechanisms and inter-institutional coordination at the local level.

Facilitated by Besarta Breznica, Programme Officer for Addressing Gender-based Violence at KWN, the sessions provided practical guidance on the prevention, identification, treatment and referral of gender-based violence cases. Participants engaged in interactive discussions based on real-life challenges faced in their daily work, with a strong emphasis on survivor-centred and gender-sensitive approaches.

The workshop was organised within the framework of the project “Improving Civil Society Capacities to Enhance Access to Quality Social Protection for Diverse Women and Men”, supported by the European Union Office in Kosovo. Through this project, KWN seeks to strengthen the capacities of social protection institutions to deliver more accessible, coordinated and effective services.

Building on this effort, KWN will continue organising similar workshops in the Pristina and Dukagjini regions, as well as a dedicated workshop for Serbian social workers, ensuring inclusive capacity-building across communities. These activities contribute to a more cohesive and responsive social protection system, aimed at improving institutional responses and ensuring timely and dignified support for survivors of gender-based violence throughout Kosovo.

27.02.26