KWN Supports Journalists in the Protest “Democracy Dies in Darkness”

31.07.2023

The Women’s Network of Kosovo has shown its support for the protest called by the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK). The protest is in response to the suspension of Klan Kosova’s business certificate by the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship, and Trade.

Dozens of journalists and activists from civil society in Kosovo gathered on Monday, July 31, in Pristina’s main squares to express their opposition to a decision made by the Kosovo authorities. This decision could potentially lead to the closure of the private national television station, Klan Kosova. Their rallying motto is “Democracy dies in darkness.”

The protest held significant symbolism for its organizers. As the clock struck 12, the march commenced with the accompaniment of whistles, heading towards the Government building.

Upon reaching the Government building, media workers joined the guardians of free speech by leaving their equipment behind, offering their support to their colleagues from Klan Kosova.

The Constitution of Kosovo and the current legislation in force guarantee the freedom of the media in the country. Journalists and civil society have criticized the Government of Kosovo’s decision, stating that it violates the fundamental values enshrined in the Constitution and amounts to an institutional attack on democracy and free speech. Such an approach is considered unacceptable and contrary to the principles of democratic societies.

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KWN and EcoKosWomen Signed a Contract to Strengthen Women’s role in Addressing Energy, Food, and Environmental Crises

31.07.2023

Today, we signed a contract with our member organization, EcoKosWomen, which will work towards strengthening the role of women in solving energy, food, and environmental crises.

EcoKosWomen’s initiative, “Putting Women at the Center of Climate Change Solutions”, will focus on promoting awareness of energy usage, with an emphasis on helping women adopt a gender-oriented approach to saving energy in their homes. With the grant amounting to €7,998, EkoKosWomen aims to employ a gender-focused strategy to address the energy, food, and environmental crises within a one-year timeframe.

On this occasion, the Executive Director of KRG, Igballe Rogova, praised the commitment of member organizations to advance the right causes, particularly in strengthening the role of women in society.

Magbule Hyseni, the Director of EcoKosWomen, highly appreciates the opportunities provided by KWN, not only today but also in the past. She stated that with the latest grant, they will do their best to raise women’s awareness as much as possible in the fields in which they work daily.

“They play a major role in the production of food on farms, as well as in its use and preparation for the family. The project will follow a gender approach, wherein women will be made aware of the use of local products in home kitchens, which will also address the food crisis. Moreover, concerning the environmental crisis, women are pivotal in environmental care, as they encourage a deeper connection between people and the environment.”

Further, EcoKosWomen plans to conduct a “Gender assessment of budget beneficiaries analysing the policies and expenditures of the Ministry of Environmental, Spatial Planning, and Infrastructure, towards proposing recommendations for improving the implementation of gender-responsive budgeting by this Ministry, in accordance with the requirements of the Law on Gender Equality in Kosovo. This initiative is part of the Gender Budget Watchdog Network’s action, supported by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

In December of last year, EcoKosWomen received a special recognition from the National Consultative Commission for Human Rights in France. This recognition was given to Ms. Magbule Hyseni to encourage the quality and importance of the EcoKosWomen project, aimed at facilitating access to hygienic protection for women and girls, and promoting and protecting human rights and gender equality in general. KWN is proud to be continuing our cooperation with EcoKosWomen.

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Norma Association Raises Awareness for Free Legal Aid

28.07.2023

The Norma Lawyers Association, a member organization of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), held a round table in collaboration with representatives from various organizations offering free legal aid. The primary objective of this table was to enhance access to justice for women and girls and to assist groups and cases in need of free legal aid.

The central goal of Norma is to ensure the utmost respect for human rights, as guaranteed by the laws of Kosovo, along with adherence to international norms and standards.

“During the round table, Norma and the participating NGOs reaffirmed their commitment to upholding human rights within the framework of Kosovo’s laws and international standards. Additionally, the representative from the Agency for Legal Aid provided insights into their cooperation with NGOs that provide legal aid and the Agency’s inclusion within the Ministry of Justice,” said Valbona Salihu, the Executive Director of Norma.

The members of Norma expressed appreciation for the support received from KWN, describing it as a valuable opportunity for organizational rejuvenation and the continuous provision of free legal aid. Furthermore, this support allows Norma to benefit from over twenty years of experience and expertise in the field.

This activity was made possible through the core support provided within the framework of the 18th round of the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) and financially supported by the Sigrid Rausing Trust.

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Women and Girls with Disabilities in Politics – A Low Level of Participation

27.07.2023

The Organization of Persons with Muscular Dystrophy of Kosovo (OPDMK), a member of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), held a working meeting on the topic “Motivation of Women with Disabilities to Participate in Politics.” During the meeting, they highlighted the problems and challenges faced by girls and women with disabilities.

Currently, there is only one woman representing women and girls with disabilities in the Municipal Assembly of Prizren, out of all of Kosovo. Egzona Hoxhaj is the sole representative, and she pointed out that women with disabilities are not employed in decision-making positions at either the central or local levels in any other city.

“As the only disabled woman involved in politics, I won votes without the need for gender quotas in the last municipal elections. It is regrettable and somewhat unbelievable that no other girl or woman with disabilities has been able to join Municipal Assemblies or hold positions at the central level throughout Kosovo,” said Egzona Hoxhaj.

Resmije Rahmani (Biba), a mobilizer within the “Motivation of Women with Disabilities to Participate in Politics” project at OPDMK, emphasized the importance of such meetings as women and girls with disabilities often feel excluded. She stated that these meetings play a crucial role in raising awareness within this marginalized section of society.

“We face rejection from society, even from women in decision-making positions. Therefore, these meetings help raise awareness among girls and women with disabilities, although it is unfortunate that such gatherings are rare. However, we hope that they will eventually penetrate into political and decision-making positions. As an organization, we serve as a bridge to activate and engage them in meetings where their rights are advocated,” said Biba.

Biba mentioned that women and girls with disabilities have limited representation in employment, but luckily, Prizren has a representative in the Municipal Assembly who addresses their issues.

“The only assembly member, Egzona Hoxhaj, acts as a bridge and serves as the primary contact for all our problems, which she then addresses. Since assuming her position, she has made significant improvements in the lives of people with disabilities. After 13 years, the municipality has allocated an office space for our organization, which is a positive step along with the presence of the representative,” she added.

In the 2021 elections, 11 candidates with disabilities, including five women, competed in all municipalities of Kosovo. Although there is still a gap, Egzona Hoxhaj stated that the level of participation in the political race was more satisfactory in 2021 compared to previous years.

During this meeting, assembly members and politicians from the municipality of Prizren shared their experiences in politics with women and girls with disabilities.

The activity of OPDMK was made possible thanks to the grant received in the 18th round of the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KRW) for core support, which was financed by the Sigrid Rausing Foundation.

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Two Swiss Activists Cycle 3,000 Kilometers for Women’s Rights

27.07.2023

Lena Heritier and Celia Follonier, two women from Switzerland, have already cycled more than 2,000 kilometers to advance the cause of women’s rights. Their challenging route from Switzerland to Istanbul is neither easy nor simple.

They are documenting this entire journey, and in each of the countries they pass through, they are learning about the situation of women. The accounts they gather are expected to be aired later in a documentary.

On Tuesday (25 July), they visited the Kosovo Women’s Network, and during an interview, Celia shared that regardless of the country they live in, the issues faced by girls and women remain the same.

“I think that domestic violence is the most common problem, and it exists everywhere, in every country. This is because it occurs within the confines of the home, making it more difficult to address due to its secluded nature,” says Celia.

She adds that even though Switzerland has affirmative laws for women, it doesn’t necessarily mean that their rights are fully respected in practice. Lena, the other activist, supports her views.

“For instance, in Switzerland, we may be considered equal under the law, but in reality, the situation is different. I believe this is the case in many places. There’s still a long way to go,” says Lena.

Before arriving in Kosovo, they embarked on a journey of thousands of kilometers by bicycle, traveling through Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Albania.

They firmly believe that women should never cease to demand their rights, despite the challenges they may encounter. “Don’t ever stop; if you want to achieve something, go for it! Utilize all available means; sometimes it might seem impossible, but still, give it a try!” says Lena.

The two Swiss women were deeply impressed by the warm hospitality extended to them by the member organizations of the KWN, namely Medica Gjakova and Hareja. They expressed their gratitude for the insightful conversations they had with these organizations and within the KWN.

Through these interactions, they learned about the tremendous efforts made by these organizations to protect the rights of women and girls in Kosovo. Celia adds, “Their stories are incredibly fascinating, and we are thankful for the opportunity to meet them and hear about their important work for women, children, and society as a whole.”

Celia and Lena departed from Kosovo on Wednesday (26 July), and their departure was accompanied by the Kosovo Women’s Network, along with the support of the cyclists group on Facebook called “Marakli t’Biciklave.” Together, they escorted the two activists by bicycle from Zahir Pajaziti Square in Pristina to the outskirts of the capital.

From there, they continued their journey to North Macedonia and will proceed through Greece to reach their final destination in Turkey. In Turkey, they plan to visit a Turkish association dedicated to fighting for women’s rights.

The entire experience of their 3,000-kilometer bicycle journey, starting from Switzerland and ending in Turkey, will be documented in a forthcoming documentary. Initially, the documentary will be published on YouTube, and if they reach an agreement, it may also be featured on Swiss public television.

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KWN Calls on Media to Be Careful on Narratives Created About Violence Against Women

21.07.2023

In light of daily news on domestic violence, sexual harassment, sexual assaults, and rapes, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) was informed through the media about a case of domestic violence where Professor Shemsedin Vehapi is suspected of committing violence against his wife.

KWN is very concerned about how the media conveys to the public that a “pie” was the cause of domestic violence. In a statement given to the police, the survivor of the violence says that she was threatened, and Professor Vehapi even tried to attack her with a revolver. Media reports where the emphasis is on the “pie” and not on the threats and systematic violence exercised by the professor are problematic.

Additionally, these reports encourage a patriarchal mindset, which implies that women have an obligation to cook and their place is in the kitchen. This also discourages other victims from reporting violence. Furthermore, working in this field and with victims of domestic violence, KWN sees that women are victims of systematic violence

KWN’s work shows that when a woman reports domestic violence, she has often endured the violence for about ten years, and they continue to live in dangerous environments in Kosovo. Adequate rehabilitative measures for abusers still do not exist, and victims of gender-based violence continue to be left without a way out of repeated violence.

At the same time, women’s employment and property inheritance remain among the lowest in the Balkans, which keeps women trapped in a cycle of abuse. Assessments made by police officers on whether the perpetrator poses a danger to the victim are weak and result in cases of recidivism. Punishments and sentences from courts are consistently low and unjust, with extra trials for those who have committed brutal crimes against women.

This chain of events shows us that violence against women is a consequence of institutional, social, and collective failure in dealing with gender-based violence within the rule of law and access to justice. KWN invites all media to professionally approach the reporting of domestic violence, with a gender-sensitive approach and a focus on the victim and her well-being. Furthermore, it is vital not to reinforce the patriarchal mindset in reports, such as utilizing “drinking” as an excuse for committing gender-based violence. KWN also urges all institutions to treat cases seriously, and the perpetrators should receive the deserved punishment.”

KWN, as a network of 139 different organizations for women’s rights throughout Kosovo, will monitor the institutional response to this case and all cases of gender-based violence.

KWN remains open to cooperation and providing assistance to victims of gender-based violence through free legal counseling and referrals to relevant institutions. If you need free legal assistance in cases of gender-based violence, or if you know someone who needs it, please contact us at the following number: 048 105 800.

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Gender Discrimination – Schools with No Training Programs for Teachers

20.07.2023

The fight against gender discrimination and schools’ level of awareness about this problem is becoming a setback for Kosovo. A larger issue is that this appears to be in smaller municipalities as a result to minimal access to trainers and programs to inform teachers on this topic.

Schools are considered the best places and environments for individuals with different political and social affiliations come together to learn, debate, and promote rational discussion and tolerance.

These educational institutions are places that require constant growth in order to accept the social, political, economic, and cultural changes of society.

However, the lack of training for teachers and minimal awareness of issues relating to human rights hinder the advancement of schools and the education system. 

A specific problem is the lack of training programs to address discrimination and gender inequality.

How is the situation in the Municipality?                                                             

KALLXO.com has contacted the Municipal Directorates of Education from seven regions of Kosovo and most of them have confirmed that no trainings programs have been held for teachers to address discrimination and gender inequality.

The Director of Education in the municipality of Kaçanik , Zahir Doda, told KALLXO.com that there were no such trainings for teachers, although he expressed the importance of holding these trainings on this topic.

“There was no such training for teachers… as far as I know there are none. I believe there should be. Even though we have not thought about it, there is a need for it. If others have created it [trainings], we will continue with the same movement” – said the director.

“I believe it is necessary, especially in parts of our municipality, which needs it”- he added.

The Director of Education in Kamenica, Afrim Dervishi, also confirmed that they do not have such programs for teachers.

“No, there is no program that teachers have completed that deals with gender inequality. For the year and half I have been here, there has not been,” said Dervishi.

However, he mentioned that a training on the importance of gender equality was held a month ago by directors of the municipalities.

“We have held a training on the role and importance of gender equality, other changes, publications… The directors of education, the directors of several municipalities have been trained,” said the head of the Directorate of Education in Kamenica.

“We have also received advice from the budget officials in the next year’s planning with gender equality in mind,” he added.

Even the municipality of Rahovec has claimed that they do not have such trainings for teachers, even though the Director of Education, Avni Morina, has stated that if such trainings were held by MASHTI, they would be opened to it.

Morina mentioned that they have three coaches in this municipality and described that a challenge was the lack of trainers.

“The primary challenges for us are the lack of sufficient staff for training because we don’t have enough trainers and maybe it would be helpful if the Ministry of Education also assisted us in this aspect,” he said.

Morina explained that before the school year, during August, in this municipality, new teachers receive training related to the curriculum and teaching, but confirmed that they did not have any training on gender equality.

“In terms of gender equality and discrimination, we have not had any training from MASHTI in recent years, but we would be open to it if MASHTI organized one.”

Also, the municipality of Klina does not have a trainer for gender equality or discrimination.

“In our municipality, we do not have trainers who deal with gender equality or discrimination. Also, recently we have not had any training for teachers related to such topics” – this answer was directed to KALLXO.com by the Municipal Directorate of Education in Klina.

Similar answers were given by the director of the DKA in Lipjan, Rasim Hasani.

“We don’t have training for teachers in the topic you mentioned,” said Director Hasani.

Meanwhile, Dardan Abazi, Director of Education in the municipality of Vushtrri, told KALLXO.com that they do not have training programs for the challenges of gender discrimination, but he mentioned that the topics of gender equality and the fight against discrimination are integrated in the educational programs.

“In addition, the Gender Equality Office in the municipality is very active in holding lectures in schools, workshops and various discussions that also deal with topics such as gender equality” – answered Abazi for KALLXO.com.

Of the seven municipalities contacted by KALLXO.com, only the Municipality of Suhareka confirmed that trainings related to gender equality were held in schools.

However, the head of this department, Remzi Bajselmani, has shown that these trainings were held by non-governmental organizations.

“We have had these trainings in schools from various NGOs, but not within out staff. However, there were meetings…”.

According to Bajselman, these trainings were not held by the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI).

“I don’t remember that MESTI has done something like this,” he said.

The need to train teachers

The non-governmental organization (NGO) for social integration and development “Follow Up Kosova” is one of the NGOs that has held trainings on gender equality, violence and sexual education in primary and secondary schools.

Agmie Osmani, the director of this organization, told KALLXO.com that during these activities they noticed that many schools did not have these trainings earlier.

“As an NGO, we have attempted with schools because we have held trainings on gender equality, the topic of violence and we have also touched a little on the topic of sex education. We have noticed that most schools have not had previous training. We have held trainings mainly for the municipality of Pristina” – she said.

“Even if they have had training, most of them have been from NGOs who have held it on their own free will. But I have not heard of any initiative (for such trainings) that was taken by public institutions” – added Osmani.

Furthermore, she has mentioned that during the trainings, they have noticed many times when students and teachers have had difficulties in understanding some basic terms of gender equality, violence and sexual education.

“We as an organization think that one of the reasons why schools struggle so much with gender equality is due to the fact that in our country there is no sexual education in the curriculum and some topics are left without being discussed with the students” – she said.

Osmani emphasized that there are cases when teachers take part in the patriarchal mentality themselves and stated example cases where teachers separate the professions between girls and boys, and uphold a stigma of talking sexual education topics.

“For example, when talking about the menstrual cycle in schools, boys usually leave the class and remain apart from the girls, which is a very big indicator that they think that the menstrual cycle is a topic that only girls should know” – she concluded.

Besides the lack of training, the issue and lack of motivation for the students is also the explanation of the lesson through traditional styles and without any new developments.

For this reason, Riga Raci, the representative of the Steering Council of the Council of Students of Kosovo in the Municipality of Fushë Kosova, considers that training programs for high school teachers on discrimination and gender equality should be mandatory.

“We, as the Council of Students of Kosovo, think that trainers and training programs for teachers on discrimination and gender equality should be mandatory, since a large number of teachers have held on to traditional norms, which is negatively affecting the new generations” – said Raci.

She described this situation as worrying.

“For us as the Council of Students of Kosovo, it would be very worrying if these programs do not start as soon as possible because we want all new generations to be motivated to work and not feel discrimination in the future” – she added.

Education expert, Arbisa Shefkiu from the EdGuard Institute, has said that the lack of specific training on discrimination and gender equality for teachers is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed and education institutions and providers of these trainings/programs should take them into more consideration prior to the licensing of certain trainings.

“Taking into account the developments in the world of globalization, it is essential that teachers be equipped with knowledge, techniques and strategies in order to promote gender equality within school facilities and to challenge different stereotypes” – said Shefkiu.

According to her, teachers play a key role in shaping young people and creating inclusive learning environments, but there are few training programs available for them that relate directly to specific topics, such as discrimination and gender equality.

“The provision of specialized training in these fields will increase the teachers’ abilities to create inclusive and equal learning environments for all students,” said Shefkiu.

She added that it is essential that educational institutions and policy makers recognize the importance of investing in specialized training programs to equip teachers with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle discrimination and promote gender equality effectively.

The role of SBASHK

Raising the voice for the rights and advancement of teachers is often done by the United Union of Education, Science and Culture of the Republic of Kosovo (SBASHK), which is an organization independent from the state and political parties, which lobbies for the interests of employees in public and private institutions of education, science and culture.

In a statement for KALLXO.com, the vice president of this union, Vjollca Shala, said that they support the idea that teachers should be trained to address discrimination and gender equality, although according to her, the SBASHK does not have the direct competence to influence this issue.

“As SBASHK, initially we do not have any complaints from any teacher who has been discriminated against or violated from the aspect of gender equality. However, we are in favor of having training programs on discrimination and gender equality in order for teachers to be trained and know how to address such a violation that is done either in terms of discrimination or gender equality” – said Shala for KALLXO.com.

“MASHTI should handle with creating training programs… We as SBASHK can indirectly lobby” – she added.

Shala has also not ruled out the possibility that SBASHK can prepare a training program for teachers if needed.

“If we were to experience a violation or discrimination, then of course we would think of preparing such a training program ourselves, either through the heads of unions at the municipal levels, or even teachers to prepare a program directly. And of course, once the Ministry of Education announces the application for the training programs accreditation, we will apply” – answered Shala.

MESTI’s promise: Trainings are planned for next year

KALLXO.com has also addressed the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) to get an answer regarding the lack of teacher trainings for addressing the topics of discrimination and gender equality.

Edona Kutleshi Maliqaj, media adviser in this ministry, told KALLXO.com that MESTI has organized information sessions with teachers about respecting gender equality every school year.

However, Kutleshi-Maliqaj emphasized that as far as discrimination is concerned, trainings with teachers are planned for 2024.

She mentioned that even in school subjects, topics for awareness of non-discrimination and gender equality are addressed.

“In MESTI’s documents, such as in the Kosovo Curriculum, addresses the topic of non-discrimination and gender equality in subject programs and in cross-curricular programs. Then, there is also a national policy for non-discrimination according to the Law on Protection from Non-Discrimination” – she said.

(Kallxo.com’s article)

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Empowerment of Women with Disabilities in Focus at SHNVPZ’s Training in Prizren

19.07.2023

The Prizren Intermunicipal Association of the Blind (SHNVPZ), a member organization of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), held a training session on the topic of “Empowerment of Women with Disabilities.”

During the training, the challenges faced by women with disabilities in their personal development and employment were discussed. Shqipe Kryeziu, the project manager, emphasized the significance of such meetings, as there is currently no accurate database that tracks the number of women with disabilities who are employed or ready for work but lack employment opportunities.

“We are conducting research to gather information about the issues faced by women and girls with disabilities. From this meeting, we understood that their concerns revolve around delayed access to education and employment opportunities. We believe that the main factors contributing to this situation are family and environmental negligence, as well as a lack of information about the resources available to support women and girls with disabilities. Therefore, these meetings play a crucial role in providing information and opportunities for young girls with disabilities to access education and understand their rights, leading to better employment prospects,” said Shqipe Kryeziu.

Various organizations, including the Association of the Deaf in Prizren, the Association of the Blind in Rahovec, the Hareja Association, Handikos Prizren, and the “Sytë kërkojnë dritë” organization, actively participated in this training.

Furthermore, Egzona Hoxhaj, an assemblywoman of the municipality of Prizren, attended the training as a participant. She revealed that the Municipality of Prizren is in the process of establishing an office for persons with disabilities.

“The municipality of Prizren is committed to appointing an official and creating an office dedicated solely to the rights of people with disabilities. While we already have an office for gender equality that has been supporting people with disabilities, we will focus exclusively on the needs and rights of this community through this new office. We will also appoint a legal officer and collaborate with various organizations to create a comprehensive database of this community, allowing us to better understand their needs,” said Egzona Hoxhaj.

The Prizren Intermunicipal Association of the Blind (SHNVPZ) organized this activity as a beneficiary of the 18th Round of the Kosovo Women’s Fund of the KWN with financial support from the Sigrid Rausing Trust.

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Hyrie Hana – The Woman Who Divided Her Life Between the Theater and the Prison

18.07.2023

“When they put me in prison, I used to sing.” This was Hyrie Hana, who spent her life between the prison and theater.

A strong woman, an unstoppable activist, a shining star of Albanian women’s strength and resistance. Her life was divided between the theater and the prison. Persecuted over the years by the Serbian UDB (B (Uprava Državne Bezbednosti – State Security Administration),  due to her ideological beliefs, Hyrie died without having the opportunity to fully shine. She is known as a pillar of the Theater of Kosovo.

She had started working as an actress in 1948 with the creation of the Theater troupe, until 1957 when she was separated from it. During this difficult journey between reality and magical likeness, Hyria performed ten roles in the theater. She is remembered among the profession for her sacrifice during the regime of that time.

She herself said, “My life has been wasted, theater-prison, prison-theatre. There came a time when I didn’t know if I was playing a role in prison or on stage,” said Hyrie Hana.

Hyria and her family were persecuted by the Serbian UBD for years because of their ideological beliefs. They also killed her only brother, Xheladin Hana, leaving Hyria with pain and suffering throughout her life.

Her colleagues remember her as one of the rare courageous women who faced both prison and all the tragedies that had happened to her family. The actress Safete Rogova said that Hyrie Hana was one of the first actresses, together with Meribane Shala and Katerina Josipin, who stepped on the stage since the Regional Theater was founded in Pristina.

“From the first rehearsals, Hyria took on a significant role. When the premiere was approaching, Hyrie was forbidden to go on stage, and the show failed because the UDB called her and did not let her participate in the premiere of the show, imprisoning her,” said Rogova in a television documentary about the life of Hyrije Hana.

Hana did not give up; she tried her luck in the theaters of Mitrovica, Gjakova, and Skopje, but even there, the Serbian regime persecuted her and did not let her be free on stage.

Hyria was also the first announcer at the first radio station in Prizren in 1945 and then worked at Radio Prishtina in 1946.

Hyrie remains in the hearts not only of those in the theater but also in human memory, as a shining star of the strength and resistance of Albanian women. Hyrie Hana was born in 1929 and passed away in 2004.

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Legal Representation by KWN: A Step towards Justice for Women

14.07.2023

K.E.[1], a woman from Skenderaj despite living with her daughter for ten years after suffering domestic violence and divorce, found herself facing a daunting battle over her child’s custody. This happened following an unexpected move by her ex-husband filing a lawsuit seeking custody rights over their child. However, the unwavering support of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) and the legal representation provided by KWN-appointed lawyer Fitim Gashi, led to victory in the courtroom.

During the initial stages of the court proceedings, at the first encounter between KWN, the lawyer, and the concerned party, she experienced a mixture of fear and shock due to the unexpected custody request from her ex-husband. This was particularly surprising considering the fact that the girl’s father had shown no interest in their daughter for the past ten years, not even making an effort to meet her.

With a sense of uncertainty about where to begin, K.E. received assistance in understanding the rights and legal procedures associated with child custody. The lawyer, committed to supporting K.E. and her daughter, stood ready to provide guidance and counsel on every step forward.

“Representing the defendant in this case was a source of immense satisfaction for me, as I firmly believe that my efforts made a significant contribution exclusively focused on protecting the child’s best interests. Despite being a challenging trial, as it was presided over by an ill-suited judge in relation to the legal teams, my colleague, the plaintiff’s lawyer, and I successfully persuaded the parties we represented to reach a mutual agreement on matters of child custody, visitation, and financial support. We firmly believed that this was the only way to protect the best interests of the child involved in the case”, said Gashi.

This journey was far from smooth, as there were numerous challenges encountered along the way. Despite the Center for Social Work’s recommendation that the child should remain with the parent with a better financial income, KWN presented compelling evidence that emphasized the significance of a committed parent who can provide a safe environment, highlighting that this factor outweighs mere financial stability.

“The CSW’s representative from Podujevo exhibited a detrimental approach by aligning herself with the plaintiff, rather than prioritizing the child’s best interests. Instead of recognizing the father’s lack of involvement for the past ten years, she expressed an opinion in favour of granting him custody.

This was concerning for me as the defender, as CSW’s officials often tend to be biased and unprofessional”, he added.

The party reached out to KWN for assistance in February 2023, and through the efforts of the lawyers, a settlement was reached in July of the same year. The party represented by KWN won the case, and the issue of the father’s contact with the child was resolved.

The party won a challenging battle, but it gave her strength and encouragement for the future.

“I am very pleased with your service, support, and representation that you have provided. The support you have provided for me is something I wouldn’t find anywhere else, and this is what I needed the most. Thanks to you and your commitment, I am now with my daughter,” said K.E.

K.E’s story and the assistance provided by KWN serve as an inspiration to many other women who are facing similar challenges in Kosovo.

Through the assistance provided by KWN, many cases of women who have experienced gender-based violence, domestic violence and sexual violence have resulted in positive outcomes for the parties.

They were encouraged not to give up and to fight for their rights. 

A Life Free from Gender-Based Violence remains one of the areas where KWN will continue to work through the implementation of its Strategy for 2023-2026[ZR1] .  The majority of the KWN’s advocacy work has been supported by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), co-financed by Sida, leading to the achievement of many significant changes towards the protection of individuals experiencing 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: +383 (0)48 105 800.

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