Gender Perspective Analysis of the European Commission’s Report on Kosovo by KWN

15.11.2023

The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) has conducted a detailed analysis of this year’s European Commission (EC) Report on Kosovo, focusing on issues related to gender integration.

The commentary highlights both positive developments and areas that require further attention to enhance gender equality in Kosovo.

“Overall, the Report addressed approximately 70% of the recommendations made by KWN and its members. The Commentary states that four pledges that directly address gender equality have been included based on the data sent by KWN and other civil society organizations.”

Specifically, concerning the advancement of gender equality, the 2023 Report states that Kosovo should make improvements in the following areas:

  • Rule of law: Improving the capacities of judges and prosecutors to handle cases of gender-based violence in accordance with the laws, the 2022-2026 Strategy against domestic violence and violence against women, and the new State Protocol for handling cases of sexual violence.
  • Fundamental rights: Strengthening the protection of civil and fundamental rights of women by adopting the Civil Code, implementing the Law on prevention and protection from domestic violence, and strengthening the implementation of the Law on gender equality and the Strategy on gender-based violence.
  • Social policy and employment: Adoption of changes to the Labor Law to harmonize with the latest EU acquis, especially regarding non-discrimination in employment and parental leave; Continuation of deep reforms in the field of social assistance schemes to ensure better targeting and impact and to improve access to social services.

Highlighting areas requiring improvement, KWN emphasizes the ongoing absence of gender analysis within the security context, particularly in regions affected by increased violence.

The neglect of women’s roles in peace processes persists, impacting inclusiveness in the Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue. The full treatment of gender-based violence under the rule of law chapter remains incomplete, and there is a lack of sufficient gender-disaggregated data in various sectors, impeding a comprehensive understanding of societal needs.

KWN recommends several actions to enhance the comprehensiveness and representativeness of future reports. KWN urges the EU to maintain its commitment to advancing gender equality in Kosovo, underlining the importance of continuous efforts to address remaining gaps. The full commentary is available here.

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Liliana Çavolli – The Albanian Music Diva who Generously Shared her Song and Soul with the Public

14.11.2023

Liliana Çavolli has left a permanent mark in the history of Kosovar music, leaving behind more than 300 immortal songs. She is among the first singers in Kosovo to have completed music school, at a time when realizing such a dream was a challenge. Liliana not only became beloved for the music she offered but also paved the way for many young women who followed her path.

She graced the music scene for more than five decades. Known as Lili to her friends, she also contributed to the music editorial office at Radio Prishtina. Before the war, she served as the author and moderator of the show ‘Evergreen’ on Radio Kosova. Her 70th birthday and five decades of a career on stage were celebrated in a mega-concert organized by Grupi Koha at the National Theater of Kosovo in February 2013.

“For five decades in a row, she gave her song and soul to the public. She never asked for anything in return. But time brought her reward. The evening of Sunday, February 3, for many may have been ordinary. But not for the diva of Albanian music, Liliana Çavolli,” Koha Ditore wrote about the concert. “It is the most beautiful evening of my life,” was the description given by Çavolli for the gala concert entitled “Song and Soul, for Lili with Heart.”

Liliana Çavolli was born in Prizren, while her family came to Kosovo from Korça. She grew up in Skopje, North Macedonia. Liliana’s mother was a singer, and one morning she took her as a companion to a radio appearance, where her career in music began. Fate again brought her back to Prizren where Liliana took her first steps as a singer. At the same time, she attended solo singing lessons at a high school of music and joined the Artistic Cultural Society ‘Agimi.’ Talent, voice, and work in Prizren made Liliana quickly stand out as a promising name.”

The singer from Prizren was known as the lily of this city, and the song ‘Lily of Prizren’ best symbolizes the artist. Liliana Çavolli stood out as a rare artist who conquered the heights of pop music but also excelled in other genres. She radiated positivity and warmth with those who gravitated close to her. Liliana, with her personality and creativity, has enriched cultural life, remaining forever a precious cultural treasure. For Lili, her friend and famous singer Nexhmije Pagarusha said:

“Liliana Çavolli is an excellent singer, both in the past and today. She has sung with equal success in both pop and the folk song genres. Liliana is a wonderful soprano who can still perform live today. She would never agree to sing ‘playback.”

Sami Piraj, composer, and music journalist, described Liliana by saying, “she has a characteristic, clear timbre, warm vocation, shaped color, clear diction that are the basis of the value of the caliber of affirmed singers.”

“Liliana’s name remains in our song thanks to these characteristics. She does not want to remain ordinary in every interpretation of the songs. On the contrary, the experience of the notes with the text remains a preoccupation to sculpt to the maximum what they were and remain synonymous with our great singers such as Nexhmije Pagarusha, Vace Zela, Hafsa Zyberi, Naile Hoxha, Fitnete Rexha, Shpresa Gashi, Shahindere Bërlajolli, etc.”

Liliana’s childhood was not easy, as her father was constantly persecuted by the then regime.

“We had harmony when we were together—mother, father, and two brothers—but our comfort was ruined by the persecutions and imprisonment of my father,” Liliana confessed in interviews with Kosovo media.

“My career has made me happy, but when my daughter was born in 1972, it seemed to me that the whole world was mine,” Lili confessed about the time when she gave birth to Irena.

Irena, who lives in London, thinks that her mother Liliana has not fully developed her potential.

“I think he could have done more, and it hurts my heart that she hasn’t been singing for a long time. Now he has an even better voice, but he can’t make songs. Unfortunately, I did not become rich in exile so that I could help them achieve even more,” said Irena.

But, did a song or something else really remain hostage to Liliana?

“I really wanted to do classical music. I had all the predispositions to become an opera singer, but that’s not how it happened. I came to Kosovo, I started singing… I was drawn to entertainment, fun, pop music, I got a job… So I didn’t commit myself to fulfilling this desire, but I wish this to young talents. There are many of them who can really achieve. I would have told them not to go and sing in cafes but to save their voices, to get educated, that one day this segment will definitely work properly,” said Liliana Çavolli in an interview for Radio Kosovo.

Liliana Çavolli was born in 1942 and passed away in 2015.

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Having Internal Documents Helps NGOs in Winning Projects

09.11.2023

Among the challenges they constantly face in their efforts to support women, Non-Governmental Organizations need to be legally compliant, possess appropriate documentation, and demonstrate their commitment. Adherence to the law and possession of such documents facilitate NGOs in applying for and winning grants and various projects. Organizations dedicated to advancing gender equality in Kosovo must register with the relevant authorities to ensure compliance with the current legislation, making their work more efficient.

NGOs often find themselves in situations where they must provide data that attests to the credibility of their organization when applying for projects with various institutions. This may include documents such as the organization’s establishment act, the NGO’s statute, financial management regulations, and more. Those advocating for women’s rights consider it essential for each organization to have its own internal regulations.

Dhurata Prokshi, with experience in writing and coordinating NGO projects, concurs that organizations’ internal regulations enhance their perceived credibility. She notes that the search for the aforementioned data has also become a criterion for organization donors. “Organizations and donor agencies don’t always demand a standalone internal regulations document, but they evaluate the seriousness of an organization’s activities, and its profile, by requesting these documents,” she explains.

The Perspective of the Kosovo Women’s Network on NGO Management

There are over 12,000 active NGO’s in Kosovo   Out of this total, 141 organizations are members of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), operating across the entire country.

In accordance with the Regulation and Code of Conduct for KWN Membership, every NGO seeking to join the network must accept the KWN Statute and Mission, pledge to support KWN’s objectives, complete and submit the KWN membership application, and commit to adhering to the Regulations and Code of Conduct for Membership.

Over the past year, the KWN has released a report evaluating its members. This assessment encompasses the aspect of whether NGOs possess internal documents and regulations. In a separate statistical analysis, KWN also addressed work regulations. According to KWN, out of 141 organizations, 58 members, or 48 percent, have established written regulations for work and behavioral standards that govern their operations.

While Prokshi, who in her career also worked as a project coordinator, said that possessing regulations is, in any case, an indicator of the organization’s seriousness. It can help the organization stand out in the competition compared to others. However, she adds that if such a document was not requested in the call, it may not carry decisive weight.

“Although I have not conducted research in this direction, from what I have come across, I have noticed that large organizations with a wide geographic scope, especially those engaged in policy design, implementation, and monitoring supported by large donors, tend to develop such regulations, but not all,” she said.

Medium and small organizations do not appear to adopt this practice.    

According to the Department of NGOs in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, there are a total of 12,433 active organizations in their database. This number includes three possible categories of organizations as NGOs, which are associations, foundations, and institutes.

KWN, with a mission to support, protect, and promote the rights and interests of women and girls throughout Kosovo, maintains ongoing collaborations with NGOs across the region. This network demonstrates that its members represent diverse ethnic groups, various age groups, different abilities, and come from various geographic areas. They collectively address important issues affecting the people, particularly women and girls, within their respective communities.

To further support NGOs, KWN has established the Kosovo Women’s Fund. This fund offers small grants to women’s organizations that lack access to alternative sources of funding and are dedicated to advancing women’s rights, particularly among groups in rural areas and marginalized communities.

According to publicly available data, since the establishment of the Kosovo Women’s Fund, the Network has awarded a total of 289 grants, for 153 organizations. The total value of of these grants so far is 1,771,249.96 Euro.

While the organizations also have support from the Ministry of Justice, NGOs continuously complain that this institutional support is insufficient for their activities.

Afërdita Zeneli, from the NGO “Dita” operating in Pristina, informed KALLXO.com that they haven’t received any support from either the central or local government throughout this year. She mentioned that they have internal regulations and possess the necessary documents typically required, which have been beneficial in many cases. However, this year, the primary challenge they face is financial constraints.

“We have the documents, but there are still many financial challenges. We don’t receive support from the government,” she stated.

The Ministry of Justice, in its structure, includes the Department for Social Services Policy, which operated under the Ministry of Finance until December 2022.

In early 2023, the Ministry of Justice, in alignment with its responsibilities, initiated a call for subsidizing NGOs that offer social and family services to citizens in need of social support.

In 2023, as per the Ministry of Justice, the Government of Kosovo has provided support to legal entities, specifically NGOs, amounting to 500 thousand euros for the period of January to April 2023.

The Ministry of Justice has announced that they are currently in the process of allocating financial support totaling 1 million and 500 thousand euros for the period from May to December 2023, extending to February 2024.

The Ministry of Justice’s responses indicated that in 2022, the Ministry of Finance provided financial support to organizations, totaling 1 million euros. Out of this amount, 400,000 euros were designated for shelters, while 600,000 euros were allocated to other NGOs offering social and family services. In 2022, this financial support benefited a total of 44 legal entities, including 10 shelters and 34 other NGOs operating across the country.

Applying for Projects: Supporting Documents that help NGOs

The Kosovo Foundation for Civil Society (KCSF) is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the development of civil society and initiatives that promote a democratic culture while addressing the socio-economic needs of Kosovo. The organization places special emphasis on contributing to the process of Kosovo’s integration into the European Union, recognizing that compliance with human rights and gender equality is a fundamental requirement for EU membership. KCSF consistently provides various grants and support to NGOs in their endeavors. On their official website, they offer a detailed list of required documents for NGOs, underscoring the significance of each document.

You can find this list by clicking HERE.

Even Dhurata Prokshi, drawing from her experience, has compiled a list of documents that organizations commonly utilize to “impress donors” and demonstrate the commitment and seriousness of the applying NGO’s work.

“Auditor’s annual report, narrative work report, certificate from the Tax Administration of Kosovo, certification from the Commercial Court, CVs of the staff responsible for executing the proposed project, and a portfolio of projects, with a particular focus on those closely related to the grant application in question,” are among the documents she includes in her list.

She emphasizes that these documents serve as indicators of an organization’s development, stability, and commitment in adhering to the laws relevant to its field of operation. Furthermore, she points out that these data have become criteria used by donor organizations for the technical evaluation of applicants, often taking precedence over the evaluation of the content of project proposals.

Prokshi suggests that non-governmental organizations should view the formulation of internal regulations as an essential mechanism for assessing and monitoring the organization’s progress in alignment with its vision and objectives. Additionally, she proposes that the initiative to establish such regulations within NGOs should be driven by the community of institutional donors to better align with international donor requirements.

“One more aspect that needs clarification is that merely having regulations in place as a declaration does not guarantee their implementation within the organization. Therefore, these regulations should be incorporated into contracts to fortify the commitment and the quality of the employee-employer relationship, ultimately advancing the organization’s vision, work integrity, and other essential aspects,” she stated.

In her view, for such a document to carry significant weight, it should be developed following a standard applicable to a group of organizations, such as the NGO consortiums for children’s rights, environmental causes, or security, and it should be included as a distinct section in reporting. Moreover, legislative requirements mandate the formulation of internal regulations. The law governing freedom of association in non-governmental organizations also stipulates that NGOs must have internal documentation in place.

This law grants NGOs the right to solicit, accept, and utilize financial, material, and human resources, whether they are local, foreign, or international, to achieve their objectives and conduct their activities.

However, the law also outlines the necessary documents for NGOs, beginning with the founding act. This act should contain the organization’s full name and abbreviation, its organizational form (e.g., association, foundation, institute), address, purpose, field of activity, and other pertinent details. Each founder must sign the founding act, while for legal entities, the authorized representative of the legal entity signs it.

Additionally, NGOs are required to have their own statute, which serves as a detailed framework governing the organization’s structure, operations, and activities. You can access the complete law and additional information HERE.

This publication was made possible with the financial support of the European Union Office in Kosovo through the initiative of the Kosovo Women’s Network, “Enhancing the Capacities and Resilience of CSO’s: Furthering Gender Equality Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Its content is the responsibility of Internews Kosova and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union Office in Kosovo.

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Join the Red Shoe Movement

07.11.2023

Writer Mariela Dabbah initiated the Red Shoe Movement, nicknamed “Red Shoe Tuesday” in 2012 as a day when women wear red shoes and men sport red ties, signalling their support for women’s leadership and gender equality at work.

Since then, red shoes have been used in several exhibitions to recall women who have suffered gender-based violence, especially those who have lost their lives to violence.

At FemFest artistic feminist festival in Albania in March 2023, the public call was made for all women to wear red shoes every Tuesday, as a sign of solidarity.

First, red shoes symbolize violence against women, and the women who have lost their lives as a result of violence against women. We wear red to remember them, to never forget and to remind ourselves for whom we fight to end violence, the social norms that allow for violence against women and all impunity for such violence.

Second, red is a colour of power and is illustrative of women’s strength. It also serves as a sign of solidarity among women. When we wear red, we commit to support other women and not to speak negatively about them, towards strengthening solidarity among women, and strengthening the movement.

Red is a sign that we show, visibly, that we are together as part of a movement.

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KWN Held Final Membership Meeting for 2023

06.11.2023

On November 6, the regular meeting of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) was held, marking the last gathering for this year. During the meeting, members, along with the KWN staff, collectively reflected on the shared successes throughout the year.

Due to updates in the Statute of the KWN, in accordance with the revised Law on Freedom of Association in Non-Governmental Organizations, the Annual Assembly of members, typically scheduled for December, will be postponed to the first months of the next year. This adjustment is made for practical reasons, ensuring that the reporting set, encompassing financial and audit reports for the entire year, including December, is prepared and ready for approval by the members of the Assembly. This responsibility is crucial to the highest governing body overseeing and evaluating the work of KWN.

“This marks our final physical meeting for this year. Due to the recent update in the law, we are now required to incorporate December and the audit report into the reporting for the Annual Assembly. As a result, we need to present our reports at the beginning of the next year when the auditing report is finalized. Consequently, the Annual Assembly is scheduled to be organized next year,” said KWN’s Executive Director Igballe Rogova.

Furthermore, she expressed that it is encouraging news that the Kosovo Women’s Fund continues to allocate grants, thanks to the donors who facilitate this program.

This is particularly noteworthy considering that while the Fund initially started with the distribution of 500-euro grants, today it has successfully disbursed grants amounting to 10,000 euros for an organization.

In this context, she highlighted that the professionalism of member organizations in implementing larger grants is on the rise every day.

She encouraged organizations that are not selected in a round to continue and reapply, viewing this as a valuable opportunity to enhance overall capacities—an effort that the KWN staff consistently supports.

Rogova also told members that, on November 21, at 20:00, KWN, in collaboration with Artpolis, will host an artistic evening at the National Library to honor Eve Ensler, now known as V. Ensler is the founder of “One Billion Rising” and the author of “The Vagina Monologues.” This marks the second occasion that V visits Kosovo.

During the meeting, the KWN staff reported on the achievements in implementing the KWN Strategy for the years 2023-2026, each within their respective programs. Additionally, Premtime Preniqi, the official for Gender Equality in the Municipality of Pristina, presented two paintings created by students from the capital’s schools. These artworks were produced as part of the municipality’s one-month campaign against human trafficking, serving as a gesture of gratitude from the Office to KWN for their assistance in cases of gender-based violence.

“[KWN] is a network of many organizations, so I wanted to bring one of those children’s paintings here to raise awareness because the work in the network and your efforts have shown positive results,” said Premtime Preniqi.

Also, the members of the KWN, expressing gratitude for the KWN that continuously supports its members, discussed various topics. The primary focus this time was on the inheritance of property for girls and women, as well as the right to the legalization of property by women.

Correctional Service Officer Rrezarta Gashi Berisha has invited organizations to make any contributions to the organization of activities for imprisoned women.

This meeting was supported by the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation.

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The Inspiring Journey of Ajnishahe Halimi: Activist and Courageous Woman

31.10.2023

“Ajnishahe was an extraordinary woman, a courageous individual with strong integrity. She was among the early activists, having been involved in the Reconciliation Movement during the 1990s. Throughout the war, she remained actively engaged, and her dedication to the community continued even after the conflict had ended. Her unwavering commitment served as an inspiration for many young women seeking to become activists.”

This is how Ajnishahe Halimi, the well-known activist from Skënderaj, remembers her friend and colleague, Valdete Idrizi. Ajnishahe Halimi was already known for her courage before the war, as she had demonstrated it when, alongside other activists, she attempted to provide a dignified burial for the victims of the Prekazi massacre.

She was a firsthand witness to one of the initial attacks on the Jashari family, which occurred on January 22, 1998. After the war, Halimi briefly served as the tour guide of the “Jashari’s “Adem Jashari’s Memorial Complex in Prekaz. She referred to the Jashari family as “The Mythical Proportions of Sacrifice,” a superhuman example of survival.

“Having known the Jashari family members before their sacrifice at the altar of Freedom is not a merit; it’s fate. I was fortunate to know them, to recognize the beautiful children, the loving and intelligent individuals who were rare to come by. The women, hospitable, and noble, were hard to find. Men like them, generous, brave, wise, and kind to friends, were a rarity,” Halimi had said.

In an interview with KWN, Valdete Idrizi describes Mrs. Halimi as an inspiration on how to contribute to the community.
“I met her for the first time at the “Adem Jashari” Memorial Complex, where she worked as a tour guide. She was a Cicero woman who had a deep familiarity with Adem Jashari and the entire family. While I had heard of her, I had never met her until my initial visit to the memorial. I was impressed by her closeness to the subject, her extensive knowledge, her patience in addressing the numerous questions posed by visitors, and her detailed explanations about the Jashari family and their sacrifice,” she said.

Ajnishahe Halimi didn’t cease her pursuit of justice even after the war, steadfastly combating the negative trends in post-war Kosovar society. In Skenderaj, Ajnishahe was actively involved in education for girls across all the villages in Drenica. She provided unwavering support to women and girls, fearlessly raising her voice against a cleric who, at that time, encouraged young girls to cover up and attend the mosque in the village of Marine.

Following the mobilization of her and other activists and a petition to close the mosque in Marina of Skenderaj, suspected of being used for the activities of the “Rahma/Mercy” association by its imam Xhemajl (Kastriot) Duka, the mosque was eventually relocated from Skenderaj.

The “New York Times” also covered this issue, and Mrs. Halimi became part of the daily quotes of this prestigious American newspaper. She was quoted as saying, “Ajnishahe Halimi, a politician in tolerant Kosovo, where Saudi aid has often come with strings attached, such as requests to carry coins or participate in sermons in the mosque.”

Mrs. Idrizi describes Mrs. Halimi as “a down-to-earth woman who operated in a challenging environment, but with her knowledge, courage, and determination, she managed to inspire many women and girls to engage in public life.”

In her final years, Ajnishahe Halimi faced the challenge of breast cancer, which she turned into a mission to save lives. She organized awareness meetings about cancer with women in almost all the villages of Skenderaj. After meeting with them, many were diagnosed in the early stages, making treatment and recovery easier.

Ajnishahe Halimi was born on November 8, 1961, and she passed away in 2019.

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Kosovo Women’s Fund Allocates Eight Grants Amounting to About €80,000

31.10.2023

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Pristina, 31 October, 2023

The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) held an Orientation Session on which occasion it awarded eight grants within the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF), amounting to a total of € 79,427.96. The decision regarding the selection of beneficiary organizations was made during the meeting of the Grant Review Committee (GRC)  held on October 18.

More specifically, eight grants were allocated within this round with the support of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and co-funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) through the Embassy of Sweden in Pristina, as part of the initiative “Further Advancing Women’s Rights in Kosovo II.”

The grant beneficiaries include:

  • EkoKos Women EKW with the initiative “Promotion of health care: a necessary part of life” (€9, 915.98)
  • Gruaja Fermere with the initiative “Promotion of primary health care for Rahovec’s women”(€9,931.00)    
  • Ruka Ruci with the initiative “Together for our health” (€9, 926.35)
  • Center for Promotion of Women’s Rights (CPWR) with the initiative “Supporting Women Survivors of Sexual Violence Through Health Education (€9, 930.00)
  • Follow Up with the initiative “Analysis of the school curriculum and educational forms on sexual consent in secondary schools” (€ 9,930.75)
  • Humanus Vita – with the initiative “Incorporating sexual education and challenging stereotypes towards transforming gender norms through education” (€ 9,935.50)
  • Ura Sociale – Promotion of quality education in secondary schools in Vushtrri – (€9,926.38)
  • Center for Education and Community Development – Friends with the initiative “Breaking Taboos: Comprehensive Sex Education – A Must” (€9,932.50)

KWN’s KWF provides small grants to women’s organizations that do not have access to other sources of funding and who seek to work for women’s rights, especially for groups working in rural areas and/or marginalized persons. Since 2012, KWF has allocated 289 grants, thus supporting 153 organizations, by a total amount of €1,771,249.96 In 2023, the KWF is supported by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), Swedish International Development Agency (Sida), the Sigrid Rausing Trust and the European Union.

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Kosovo Women’s Economic Forum Met with Prime Minister Kurti and Representatives of the Ministry of Finance

31.10.2023

On October 30, the Kosovo Women’s Network, as a member of the Kosovo Women’s Economic Forum (KWEF), organized a meeting at the offices of the KWN with the Deputy Minister of Finance, Labor, and Transfers, Mr. Agon Dobruna, and the General Secretary of this Ministry, Mr. Enis Spahiu. Additionally, on October 31, KWN arranged a meeting with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti. During both meetings, they discussed the Draft Law on Labour, focusing on the provisions that regulate maternity leave, paternity leave, and parental leave, as well as the discussion on gender-responsive budgeting.

The KWEF in partnership with the Kosovo Initiative for Stability (IKS) and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), and with the support of approximately eighty civil society organizations, has introduced a collaborative model for maternity leave, paternity leave, and parental leave. This model is derived from the positioning document associated with Labor Law No. 03-212 and includes an analysis with recommendations for the institutionalization of a responsible gender budget for Kosovo in the year 2024.

Prime Minister Kurti explicitly agreed that without gender equality, we cannot achieve social equality. Both Prime Minister Kurti and the members of the KWEF emphasized the significance of collaboration between state institutions and civil society to bolster economic development and eradicate social inequalities that impede the economic independence of women and girls.

Following the extensive discussion, Prime Minister Kurti pledged a personal commitment to address the provisions of maternity leave, paternity leave, and parental leave. During this meeting, we also agreed to schedule another meeting in the upcoming month of November.

Deputy Minister Dobruna informed the members of KWEF that work is underway on the draft Labor Law, and it is anticipated that it will be publicly discussed and supported within this year. He endorsed KWEF’s initiative to establish more favorable conditions in the labor market and to strive for a society where the family is at the forefront. Mr. Spahiu also updated us on the progress of amending the relevant laws.

After a lengthy discussion on numerous topics pertaining to the economic empowerment of women, we reached an agreement to foster cooperation and address these issues through working groups involving both civil society and the government.

The Women’s Economic Forum comprises a coalition of civil society organizations with the following composition: Riinvest Institute; Kosovo Women’s Network; Democracy for Development (D4D); Kosovo Center for Gender Studies; Network of Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian Women’s Organizations of Kosovo; Kosovo – Women 4 Women; and the GAP Institute.

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Moving Forward Together: Making Transport Accessible for Everyone

Pink October – A Month of Hope

30.10.2023

“Stronger than fear! ‘Early detection – survival”. These were some of the slogans of Pink October, the breast cancer awareness month. This year’s campaign was launched by Race for the Cure as a breast cancer awareness campaign to support breast cancer survivors and those battling breast cancer. Throughout the month, the support of various institutions and organizations in the country continued.

The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, organized the traditional “Early Detection – Survival” walk on October 14 in front of the Kosovo Assembly building. This event, dedicated to “Early Detection – Survival,” was held under the patronage of the Presidency and with the initiative of the Kosovar Center for Breast Cancer Control, known as “Jeta-Vita.”

“It’s a color of hope, strength, and unity—a month that serves to raise everyone’s awareness of the dangers of breast cancer. A month that reminds us that when we come together, we can overcome anything. Today, the march brought us together, and we will stand by each other throughout the year. The best defense is early detection. Get tested today and encourage other women too. October is breast cancer awareness month. This is how change begins.”

These were the messages conveyed by the institution of the Presidency to women and girls.

Meanwhile, the member organization of the Kosovo Women’s Network, ‘Have Hope,’ with the motto “Stronger than fear,” gathered women and girls in “Mother Teresa” Square in Pristina to raise awareness in the battle against breast cancer.

Dressed in pink, all the participants released balloons in honor of the women who fought and survived the disease of breast cancer, and who taught us how to fight and not give up.

We also remember all the women who fought the battle against breast cancer but lost, as well as their family members who endured the pain and showed us how to turn it into motivation to live.

Within the breast cancer awareness month, and to spread the message about the risk of breast cancer, as well as to raise funds for women affected by breast cancer, the third edition of the “Shliroj Cicat” festival was organized by Creative Information, Care, and Activism for Tomorrow. This edition, featuring a three-day program from October 13-15, included various activities such as bra collection, screenings of documentaries, painting and mascots, discussion panels, and artistic performances.

Additionally, the National Institute of Public Health, as part of the breast cancer awareness month, provided information to citizens in written form about breast cancer to raise awareness in the battle against this disease.

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The SDK Organization Holds Training for Women’s Empowerment in Business

27.10.2023

The member organization of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), Sundimi i Demokracisë në Kosovë (SDK) within the framework of ongoing commitments to strengthen gender mechanisms in the municipality of Podujeva, has held a three-day training for the empowerment of women in business.The SDK Organization Holds Training for Women’s Empowerment in Business

The training was focused on women engaged in economic activities from various sectors such as agribusiness, handicrafts, traditional foods, and also included those who planned to engage in economic activities.

The purpose of the training was to professionally train women in business administration and support the promotion of their products/services. Specifically, the participating women gained knowledge in preparing a business plan, business management, and a portion of the training was dedicated to advocacy practices for affirmative policies at the local level for women entrepreneurs and building networks for businesswomen.

Besnik Muçaj, an expert in governance and local economic development, stated that these trainings help to better understand the context of women’s challenges in conducting business. They also address systemic issues in municipal policies and financing, as well as the friendliness of local affirmative policies towards women’s businesses.

“The problems of women in business in the municipality of Podujeva are not limited to the very fact of their work as businesses, but are closely related to other limitations such as the burden of caring for the family, property, access to funds, and access to the market and sales. Therefore, we are making efforts to address some issues starting from self-organization to address issues in municipal policies to build common management structures and connect women’s businesses and find markets for them,” he said.

The challenges faced by women in business in the municipality of Podujeva are not limited to the nature of their work as entrepreneurs but are closely related to other constraints, including family responsibilities, property ownership, access to funding, and entry into the market and sales. Therefore, we are making efforts to address these issues, starting from self-organization to tackling problems in municipal policies, establishing collaborative management structures, connecting women’s businesses, and identifying markets for their products,” he said.

Nazife Gashi, a participant in the training who works with traditional foods such as the preparation of baklava, said that despite all the difficulties, a job that, as she says, she loves with her soul, succeeds.

“The work you love, you have a passion for, although it is difficult, I think you can do it. Regarding help from the municipality, I have never received help or any financial push. I started with my own funds and it cost me thousands of euros, but I succeeded. I think that as a woman it is difficult to do business, but I succeeded, although I do everything myself.

She says that the lack of workers is making work even more difficult, as young people are fleeing the country.

“I used to have two drivers who distributed the food; they even went abroad. Now I prepare and distribute the food they order themselves, which is not easy,” she said.

The SDK’s activity was made possible through the grant received in the 18th round of the Kosovo Women’s Fund for core support, financed by the Sigrid Rausing Foundation.

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