Kosovo Women's Network

Elvana Shala, Goodwill Ambassador for Kosovo Breaks the Barriers

28.12.2022

The Ambassador of Goodwill for Kosovo at the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) Elvana Shala has managed to break many barriers and prejudices for marginalized categories, while her voice has been heard not only in Kosovo, but also in the world.

Shala, who has held this position since 2014 is among the only five female ambassadors in the world with a second term. She has represented Kosovo in the field of public diplomacy everywhere in the world, including the countries and organizations that do not recognize Kosovo’s statehood.

“In every international representation or meeting with different world leaders, my main focus has been the promotion of Kosovo, the strong contribution of women to the state-building of Kosovo and recognition of the rights of the people of Kosovo as equals in the international arena”, Shala said in an interview with Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN).

2022 has been announced by the Government of Kosovo as the Year of Persons with Disabilities.

Giving this, Ambassador Elvana Shala has organized in December the World Congress for Persons with Disabilities, to return the focus to this category.

Under the motto “Together for inclusiveness and prosperity”, the Congress has gathered 31 delegations from all over the world and about 200 guests from Kosovo institutions, persons with disabilities, civil society and others.

All this has been made possible thanks to the hard work of Ambassador Elvana Shala, who, as she herself said, “has left no stone unturned to bring the world to Kosovo today and organize this Congress, which aims to improve the lives of people with disabilities in Kosovo.”

“The idea of this congress was to bring together the local and international organizations and the exchange of various legal, infrastructural and social practices between most developed countries in the world with the state of Kosovo in order to improve the living conditions of this category,” Shala said.

She says that the current situation of the people with disabilities in Kosovo is not good despite the promises to improve it.

“There is a lack of inclusion of people with disabilities in education (school) and then in every other sphere of life. They also face social prejudices.”

However, Ambassador Shala says that she is happy that she has managed to break many barriers.

According to her Kosovo institutions and civil society should do more to increase the awareness.

“Kosovo still very much needs to be known in the world in different forms and this should be the daily obligation and priority of each of us who belong to public life.”

She said that having the right and deserved place in the international arena requires political, diplomatic and social unity so that the world respects you for your past, present and state vision for the future.

25.04.25

The Foundation House celebrates a decade of Girls in ICT

15.04.25

KWN Calls for Improved Attention to Gender Equality in European Commission’s 2025 Kosovo Report

12.04.25

A Tapestry of Resilience: KWN’s Annual Assembly Celebrates a Year of Unwavering Progress and Honors Courageous Voices

04.04.25

Activists to Assess Costs of Supporting Women, Children Survivors of Violence

28.03.25

Shaping Change: A Swedish Political Scientist Contributes at KWN

28.03.25

Reaction of the Kosovo Women’s Network to the Recent Killings in Kosovo due to illegal weapons

Volunteer Work – a Precondition for Increase of Solidarity and Social Equality

21.12.2022

On 20 December, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) staff welcomed the volunteers engaged in various KWN initiatives within the volunteering program.

During the meeting they exchanged their experience and discussed the possibilities of involving volunteers in future initiatives of KWN and its member organizations.

For the engagement of volunteers, KWN has developed a more specific program for volunteer engagement, which aims to establish a sustainable mechanism for volunteering in KWN, but also directly to some of its 193-member organizations across Kosovo.

KWN’s program aims to include more activists in furthering feminism in Kosovo. The program also provides volunteers with the opportunity to take a closer look at the work of women’s rights small organizations, their work in the community, and the needs of women at the local level.

Etleva Malushaj, Project Coordinator at KWN, informed the participants about the history of the volunteer program and its importance for strengthening solidarity and the feminist movement in Kosovo.

“The KWN constantly creates opportunities to include as many volunteers as possible in the organization. We highly value voluntary work and believe that only through joint work we can make the necessary changes in society,” Malushaj said.

KWN believes that voluntary work is a precondition to increase solidarity and social equality, therefore it has continuously involved volunteers, both within the organization and through various campaigns.

The European Union Office in Kosovo has funded the volunteer’s engagement in KWN and its member organizations through the four-year initiative “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics.”

25.04.25

The Foundation House celebrates a decade of Girls in ICT

15.04.25

KWN Calls for Improved Attention to Gender Equality in European Commission’s 2025 Kosovo Report

12.04.25

A Tapestry of Resilience: KWN’s Annual Assembly Celebrates a Year of Unwavering Progress and Honors Courageous Voices

04.04.25

Activists to Assess Costs of Supporting Women, Children Survivors of Violence

28.03.25

Shaping Change: A Swedish Political Scientist Contributes at KWN

28.03.25

Reaction of the Kosovo Women’s Network to the Recent Killings in Kosovo due to illegal weapons

KWN Held its 20th Annual Members Meeting

20.12.2022

On December 17, Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) held its 20th Annual Membership Meeting.

Over 120 attendees representing KWN member organizations, partners, friends, colleagues, and supporters of the work and activism for many years gathered to discuss the activism of gender equality and women empowerment in Kosova.

Nermin Mahmuti, KWN Chair of the Board opened the 20th Annual Membership Meeting recognizing KWN’s work over the years.

“The KWN has proven it is doing excellent work. Its work has been very transparent which is necessary for all those supported by KWN and those who support the KWN. In addition to the mission of advocacy on behalf of women and girls, the network has already managed to raise the capacities of its 194-member organizations,” she said while highly appreciating the contribution of the board members.

On this occasion, she mentioned the outstanding activist for the eradication of illiteracy, Naxhije Buçinca, who was also the chairperson of the first board of the KWN.

“When we educate a girl, we educate a family, a society. The Buçinca Foundation has managed to educate 1,000 women. I want to educate girls at the university level. We’ve started this work together with Igballe Rogova 20 years ago. Now, you should continue it, and don’t stop it!”

The KWN Board members over the years, Delina Fico, Besim Kajtazi, Flora Macula, Vjosa Dobruna, and Argjentina Grazhdani told their stories related to the work of the KWN. They praised the KWN for its contribution to the empowerment of women and girls in Kosovo.

For the fifth time, the annual “Sevdije Ahmeti” Prize was given in honor and memory of feminist activist and humanist Sevdije Ahmeti (1944-2016). 

This year, it was given to Resmije Rahmani (Biba) Mobilizer at Organization of Persons with Muscular Dystrophy of Kosovo (OPDMK).

The award was preceded by a poem dedicated to Biba, recited greatly by the actress and activist Safete Rogova.

The Executive Director of KWN, Igballe Rogova, appreciated the contribution of each member organization over the years in making KWN’s objectives for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in politics, economy and other programmatic areas of the KWN’ Strategy be achieved almost entirely.

“I thank each of you for all of your hard work. Thanks to the energy of our 194-member organizations, board, staff, partners, and supporters, together with the media that were our voice, and thanks to this power we managed to implement our four-year strategy.”

The KWN’s staff reported on the work done last 4 years and the results can be seen below:

The number of women MPs has increased from 32.5% to 35.8%.
2,058 women participated in decision-making processes.
24 public policies (laws, strategies, others) have been amended, integrating the comments of KWN.
50 steps were taken by representatives of the government of Kosovo and the EU in addressing the issues raised by women.
150 women who experienced gender-based violence received legal aid. Awareness raising about gender-based violence has been improved.
There are 19 policies addressing sexual harassment.
More than 30 initiatives have supported women who experienced sexual violence during the war.
20,000 women and men have been informed about their rights at work.
680 cases were legally assisted regarding gender-based discrimination in employment.
329 women claimed their right to inheritance or property rights.
Also, since 2012, KWN through the Kosovo Women’s Fund has given 252 grants to 149 organizations.
4,368 women have access to health care.

The KWN 20th Annual Meeting was financed by the European Union Office in Kosovo, Austrian Development Agency and co-financed by Sida – Styrelsen för Internationellt Utvecklingssamarbete, Kvinna till Kvinna, and Sigrid Rausing Trust.

Throughout the year, KWN’s efforts for gender equality have been supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and UN Women.

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

31.10.24

The Irresolute Resolution? After 24 Years, Resolution 1325 Remains Valid but Under-implemented

17.10.24

Letter to the Chairman of the Assembly of Kosovo, Glauk Konjufca

Igballe Rogova, KWN and Representatives of Civil Society Met with US Envoy, Gabriel Escobar

12.12.2022

On 12 December, KWN’s Executive Director Igballe Rogova attended a meeting with the US Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar and the US Ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier with some representatives of civil society.

“Deputy Assistant Secretary Escobar joined me for great discussions today with diverse civil society representatives from across Kosovo. Civil society has an indispensable role to play in holding institutions accountable and advocating and building a better future for all,” Ambassador Hovenier wrote on Twitter.

KWN thanks and appreciates the U.S. Department of State for continuing the conversation and consulting WCSOs and activists.

Last month, KWN Program Director & Lead Researcher Nicole Farnsworth made a presentation to the U.S. Department of State on KWN and its members’ history and work, including on the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. She shared ideas on how the U.S. can better support women’s rights activists and movements. The full article can be read here.

25.04.25

The Foundation House celebrates a decade of Girls in ICT

15.04.25

KWN Calls for Improved Attention to Gender Equality in European Commission’s 2025 Kosovo Report

12.04.25

A Tapestry of Resilience: KWN’s Annual Assembly Celebrates a Year of Unwavering Progress and Honors Courageous Voices

04.04.25

Activists to Assess Costs of Supporting Women, Children Survivors of Violence

28.03.25

Shaping Change: A Swedish Political Scientist Contributes at KWN

28.03.25

Reaction of the Kosovo Women’s Network to the Recent Killings in Kosovo due to illegal weapons

KWN and EWLA Organize Workshops on the EU Legal Framework for Gender Equality

07.12.2022

Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) and the European Women Lawyers Association (EWLA) organized workshops on the “EU Legal Framework for Gender Equality” for two consecutive days, the 5th and 6th of December.

Lawyers from EWLA, Katharine Miller and Sylvia Cleff Le Divellec, have explained to the members of the KWN and the Lobby for Gender Equality, the main legal instruments of the EU related to gender equality as well as the Gender Equality Strategy in the Agenda of the European Commission for the period 2020- 2024.

The representatives of KWN member organizations appreciated the workshop as an opportunity to exchange experiences. They discussed how to advocate for change and the EU accession process, especially from a gender perspective. Further, municipal officials raised the issue of implementing policies and reforms at the local level.

The purpose of such workshops is to increase women’s knowledge of the EU legal framework related to gender equality and also to improve the capacities and engagement of women and girls so that they can be actively involved in the integration process of Kosovo. in the EU.

KWN considers it extremely important to include women and girls in this process in order to include their rights and interests. It is necessary to inform women and girls as best as possible about this process, which can then contribute to the support and implementation of the necessary reforms. These workshops were held within the framework of the “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics” initiative, supported by the European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo.

25.04.25

The Foundation House celebrates a decade of Girls in ICT

15.04.25

KWN Calls for Improved Attention to Gender Equality in European Commission’s 2025 Kosovo Report

12.04.25

A Tapestry of Resilience: KWN’s Annual Assembly Celebrates a Year of Unwavering Progress and Honors Courageous Voices

04.04.25

Activists to Assess Costs of Supporting Women, Children Survivors of Violence

28.03.25

Shaping Change: A Swedish Political Scientist Contributes at KWN

28.03.25

Reaction of the Kosovo Women’s Network to the Recent Killings in Kosovo due to illegal weapons

KWN Welcomes Launching of State Protocol for Treatment of Sexual Violence Cases

06.12.2022

KWN thanks the Government and all relevant institutions for their action, leadership and cooperation in finalizing the State Protocol for Treatment of Sexual Violence cases, particularly the Forensic Medical Institute and Ministry of Justice.

This key piece of legislation, which Kosovo did not have before, is essential for protecting women and girls, as per the Istanbul Convention.

KWN was pleased to support this process by participating in the government’s working group, including by contracting the expert who drafted the Protocol, Monika Kocaqi, by providing extensive input on the draft based on our research and experience and by organizing consultations with 142 representatives of coordination mechanisms in 9 municipalities/regions throughout all of Kosovo, during which responsible institutions and shelters discussed the draft Protocol and provided their insight.

This inclusive process and the “triangle” of cooperation among responsible institutions, civil society, and international supporters is what has contributed to a very solid, well-informed, and tailored to Kosovo Protocol. The consultations also have made key actors aware of it and this will contribute to its implementation. This was made possible through support from UN Women as well as KWN staff time supported by ADA.

KWN has some requests for Kosovo institutions:

1. We call on the government and parliament to finalize the draft law on gender-based violence in line with the Istanbul Convention and based on our detailed comments;

2. ALL responsible institutions MUST be trained adequately in this Protocol and how to implement it;

3. They need to allocate sufficient resources in the 2023 budget for coordination mechanisms and especially for hiring enough social service officers who will be trained, certified and specialised in treating gender-based violence cases; and

4. To budget for the applicable legislation and particularly the SOS hotline, Sexual Violence Referral Centre and Rape Crisis Centres, as per the Istanbul Convention, so that cases may be treated professionally, timely, and adequately.

KWN looks forward to continuing our cooperation towards improving the response to all forms of gender-based violence and protecting as well as providing rehabilitation services for women and girls.

25.04.25

The Foundation House celebrates a decade of Girls in ICT

15.04.25

KWN Calls for Improved Attention to Gender Equality in European Commission’s 2025 Kosovo Report

12.04.25

A Tapestry of Resilience: KWN’s Annual Assembly Celebrates a Year of Unwavering Progress and Honors Courageous Voices

04.04.25

Activists to Assess Costs of Supporting Women, Children Survivors of Violence

28.03.25

Shaping Change: A Swedish Political Scientist Contributes at KWN

28.03.25

Reaction of the Kosovo Women’s Network to the Recent Killings in Kosovo due to illegal weapons

EU Ambassador and KWN, Member Organizations Discuss the Importance of Strengthening Women’s Participation in Decision-Making

30.11.2022

As part of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN)’s action “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics”, supported by the European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo, KWN together with the EU, organized a working lunch between Ambassador Tomas Szunyog, Head of the EU Office in Kosovo/EU Special Representative, EU officials and women representatives of civil society, on Tuesday, 29 November.

During a two hours meeting, women leaders had the opportunity to discuss and advocate for various important issues related to gender-based violence, women’s economic empowerment, gender-responsive budgeting, the importance of supporting Serb women in rural areas, the challenges of women with disabilities and the importance of finding a common language for dialogue from Serbia and Kosovo for the well-being of citizens in line with UN Resolution 1325, among others.

While talking about the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender- Based Violence”, Ambassador Szunyog said that the message against violence should be spread as much as possible. He pointed out that women in Kosovar society still face challenges regarding their involvement in politics, the economy, rule of law as well as in employment. Therefore, he was interested to know about the results of KWN’s initiative “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics” supported by the EU Office in Kosovo, as part of which this working lunch was organized.

In this regard, Nermin Mahmuti, chair of the KWN Board / Executive Director of the Community Development Fund (CDF), said that with the EU support over the last four years, coupled with KWN’s ongoing work to empower diverse women in prior years, advocacy and door to door campaigns to “Vote for more women in local/parliamentary elections” contributed to more women being elected in decision-making.

“We are thankful for the EU’s support to empower Women’s participation in politics and we hope that it will continue in the future beyond the project and that we can continue this dialogue, as our work is not project-based and we are committed to making long-term changes happen,“ Mahmuti said adding that KWN with its 190 member organizations, has in its strategy the program for empowering women in decision-making.

Valmira Rashiti, Project Coordinator and Legal Assistant, KWN, said that KWN is an example in the region for its focus on gender equality. Rashiti has stressed the support that the EU should give for the inclusion of women in the negotiations with Serbia, also highlighting the letter that KWN has sent to the EU envoy for dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak.

Ambassador Szunyog was interested to know whether the number of women’s participation in politics at the local level has been increased.

Luljeta Demolli from the Kosovar Center for Gender Studies (KCSG) said that two women have been elected as mayors and the number of women who have won both at the local and central level without having to benefit from the quota gender, has been increased.

However, she said that women continue to face numerous obstacles, such as the lack of access to presenting their programs during the election campaign and the patriarchal mentality.

On the other hand, Resmije Rrahmani from the Organization of Persons with Muscular Dystrophy of Kosovo (OPMDK), at the same time an implementing partner of this EU-supported initiative, said that women with disabilities are the most marginalized people regardless of which community they belong to.

“I am 42 years old and so far, I have voted only twice. I demand my right to free movement,” Rrahmani said encouraging the EU to extend its impact to the government of Kosovo and make them support the inclusion of women and girls with disabilities in decision-making and to advance the legal framework for the protection of persons with disabilities.

In the wake of the political situation created in the north after the withdrawal of Serb officials from Kosovo’s institutions, Valbona Sadiku, Executive Director of CECD and Friends, said that there is a fear among both Albanian and Serb women and girls because of political influences in the northern part of Mitrovica. Therefore, she asked the EU to continue supporting organizations that aim to improve inter-ethnic relations in this area, stressing that “if women do not have funds, then communication also stops.”

Nevenka Rikalo from the organization Ruka Ruci, also an implementing partner of this EU-supported initiative, has stressed that thanks to the dedication of KWN, her organization has managed to point out the problems of Serb women in the rural areas as well as to work in strengthening the capacities of women’s organizations in the region of Fushë Kosova, Lipjan and Obiliq.

“We ask the EU office in Kosovo to continue supporting women’s organizations, in particular women in rural areas, through different ways of financing, as they have done with the Action led by KWN to strengthen women’s advocacy capacities.”

Xhulieta Devolli, Project Manager of the Network of Organizations of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Women of Kosovo (NRAEWOK), said that more has to be done against early marriages of this community. She said that women of this community are still not aware of gender-based violence.

“Due to the circumstances and the impossibility to report they normalize violence. They don’t know where to report the cases, there is institutional discrimination as they do not act in line with the laws,” she said, adding that there is a lack of funds for the increase of awareness since their projects are short-term.

The gender-responsive budgeting and the importance to have a permanent budget for shelters have been discussed too.

After a very fruitful discussion, Ambassador Szunyog expressed the EU’s commitment to taking into consideration all these important issues. KWN considers meetings as this essential for implementing the Women’s Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda, and to ensuring the EU is aware of issues that women in Kosovo consider priorities, therefore KWN is thankful for this cooperation and will continue to advocate for this in the future.

This meeting has been supported by the European Union Office in Kosovo, through the initiative “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics.”

Through this initiative, we worked closely with women politicians at all levels, as well as with women interested in entering politics, by raising their capacities. Given the lack of proper representation, this initiative aimed to engage women with disabilities and women from minorities in existing networks, as well as in politics and decision-making. Inclusion and solidarity are the fundamental values of this initiative to expand the women’s movement in Kosovo.

Therefore, KWN together with the Organization of Muscular Dystrophy of Kosovo (OPDMK), Ruka Ruci (RR), and the European Association of Women Lawyers (EWLA), have managed to make many changes. From January 2019 to December 2022, among the many results achieved through this four-year support, towards the empowerment of various women even during the previous years, the continuous advocacy of the KWN, working in partnership and door campaigns “Vote for more women in local elections” directly contributed to more women being elected to decision-making positions. Below you can find some of the main achievements of this initiative:

In snap parliamentary elections in 2021, a woman candidate received the most votes of any political candidate in the history of Kosovo. 43 women were elected MPs, four more than in 2019, an increase from 32.5% to 35.8% in the last elections. Only nine women were elected due to the quota, whereas 34 won a seat with the popular vote. The Government of Kosovo has appointed two women as deputy prime ministers, and out of 15 ministries, five are led by women (an increase from 18.8% in the last elections to 33.3% in 2021). In the 2021 local elections, two Serbian women were elected as mayors and 364 women were elected to municipal assemblies. Two Ashkali and Egyptian women and a woman with different abilities were elected in municipal assemblies, showing improvement in their representation compared to prior years. 
KWN has also empowered women to engage in decision-making at various levels. 1,533 diverse women participated in politics and decision-making processes in this period with EU support.
1,577 citizens and politicians met and discussed sector-specific issues and obstacles they face in their regions.
1,406 diverse women activists attended trainings that increased their capacities and understanding of EU directives and the EU accession process.
KWN has enhanced the capacities of 921 women politicians and future women politicians through trainings.
And 210 volunteers engaged in supporting the “Vote for more Women” door-to-door campaign.

25.04.25

The Foundation House celebrates a decade of Girls in ICT

15.04.25

KWN Calls for Improved Attention to Gender Equality in European Commission’s 2025 Kosovo Report

12.04.25

A Tapestry of Resilience: KWN’s Annual Assembly Celebrates a Year of Unwavering Progress and Honors Courageous Voices

04.04.25

Activists to Assess Costs of Supporting Women, Children Survivors of Violence

28.03.25

Shaping Change: A Swedish Political Scientist Contributes at KWN

28.03.25

Reaction of the Kosovo Women’s Network to the Recent Killings in Kosovo due to illegal weapons

KWN Expresses Deep Concern Over the Murder of a 63-Year-Old Woman by her Husband

25.11.2022

Pristina, 25 November

Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) expresses its deep concern regarding the murder of a 63-year-old woman by her 70-year-old husband on Friday (25 November) in Pristina. This murder reflects and highlights the ingrained consequences of patriarchal and cultural norms where women are murdered only for being women. The murder took place on the day when the world campaign “16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women” begin and at the time when media in Kosovo reported an increase in sexual harassment, gender-based violence, and the rape of girls cases.

Women in Kosovo are living in a dangerous environment. There are no rehabilitative measures for abusers and victims of gender-based violence are left with no way to avoid the repeated violence. At the same time, women’s employment and property inheritance remain among the lowest in the Balkans, and this keeps women bound in abusive environments.

Dangerous environment assessments conducted by police officers are poor and result in recidivist cases. The Kosovo courts continue to impose low convictions for the offenders and absurd decisions of retrials for the accusers of the brutal killing of women. For these cases, they also apply mitigating circumstances during the criminal procedure.

This chain of circumstances shows us that the killing of women is a consequence of the institutional, social and collective failure in dealing with gender-based violence as a primary issue within the framework of the rule of law and access to justice.

Article 173 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kosovo clearly defines the punishment for Aggravated Murder, by stating that long-life imprisonment shall be imposed on a person who kills a family member or a child. Therefore, the KWN demands a maximum sentence for the perpetrator and asks the institutions not to apply mitigation because of the voluntary surrender or the age of the perpetrator.

KWN, as a network of 190 different organizations for women’s rights throughout Kosovo, will closely monitor the institutional response to this case and tall other cases of gender-based violence.

KWN remains open to cooperation and assistance to victims of gender-based violence through free legal advice and referral to relevant institutions. If you need free legal aid for cases of gender-based violence or know someone who needs it, contact us at: 038 245 850.

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

31.10.24

The Irresolute Resolution? After 24 Years, Resolution 1325 Remains Valid but Under-implemented

17.10.24

Letter to the Chairman of the Assembly of Kosovo, Glauk Konjufca

Nicole Farnsworth Presents KWN, Members’ Work to U.S. Department of State

17.11.2022

Today KWN Program Director & Lead Researcher Nicole Farnsworth made a presentation to the U.S. Department of State on KWN and its members’ history and work, including on the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. She shared ideas on how the U.S. can better support women’s rights activists and movements, including by

1) regularly consulting WCSOs;

2) speaking about WCSOs, their priorities, and expertise in political dialogues with officials and in high-level events;

3) investing in WCSOs and movements as long-term partners because social change takes time and WCSOs remain dedicated and engaged in bringing about social change; reviewing funding modalities to compensate WCSOs for their expertise and engage them as experts; and

4) support WCSOs’ advocacy, at local, national, and international levels.

The U.S. Department of State organized this presentation as a follow-up to President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani Sadriu’s Women, Peace and Security Forum on Oct. 22-23.

Special thanks to the U.S. Department of State for continuing the conversation and consulting WCSOs and activists. We appreciate the opportunity to share our experiences and look forward to continuing this dialogue!

25.04.25

The Foundation House celebrates a decade of Girls in ICT

15.04.25

KWN Calls for Improved Attention to Gender Equality in European Commission’s 2025 Kosovo Report

12.04.25

A Tapestry of Resilience: KWN’s Annual Assembly Celebrates a Year of Unwavering Progress and Honors Courageous Voices

04.04.25

Activists to Assess Costs of Supporting Women, Children Survivors of Violence

28.03.25

Shaping Change: A Swedish Political Scientist Contributes at KWN

28.03.25

Reaction of the Kosovo Women’s Network to the Recent Killings in Kosovo due to illegal weapons

Lobby for Gender Equality Meets, Discusses its Empowerment

16.11.2022

Today on November 16, The Lobby for Gender Equality (Lobby) gathered to discuss “Women, Peace, and Security- Decision Making in the local level.”

Representatives of institutions, women’s rights organizations, as well as members of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) and women engaged in politics discussed and shared their experiences regarding women’s participation in politics at the local level.

KWN Executive Director Igballe Rogova, stressed the important role of the Lobby for Gender Equality since its establishment, towards supporting women in institutions, politics, and decision-making processes.

She said that the KWN will continue to work to strengthen the Lobby. Therefore, during this meeting, the members of the Lobby have been given the opportunity to give their concrete suggestions on how the KWN in the next four years, through its new Strategy, can contribute to the empowerment of women and girls at the local level and in the decision-making processes.

The members of the Lobby for Gender Equality, divided into three groups, have discussed the challenges and problems and have given their suggestions that should be included in KWN’s new strategy for 2023-2026.

Rogova also emphasized that women’s rights organizations should continue to support each other, as well as women in politics, especially at the local level.

Valbona Sadiku, from CECD Friends, during today’s meeting, spoke about the importance of local organizations cooperating with local institutions in peacebuilding.

In this context, she mentioned that as a result of the cooperation between women’s rights organizations and Mitrovica’s Municipal Assembly they manage through advocacy to plan the building of a new shelter house for victims of domestic violence in this city.

This meeting has been supported by the Office of the European Union in Kosovo.

25.04.25