Kosovo Women's Network

The NGO Lady – the Home Where Many Women in Kosovo Find Support

26.01.2023

Sanija Murati is an activist, humanist, and a woman who never gets tired. She has set herself the goal of empowering and advancing women’s rights in the economy and in public life. She has applied this goal through the non-governmental organization “Lady”, which she has been leading for 18 years, and which the many women call “the warmest counseling house for women.”

During an interview with the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), Mrs. Murati said that considering the economic position of women in Kosovo, the high number of unemployment, and the statistical gap between men and women in the unemployment lists, she is committed to various initiatives of her organization to raise awareness for achieving gender equality in all areas.

“Only during the year we left behind, we worked with 1018 women and young people. Also, our organization includes 120 volunteers who are regularly involved on a voluntary basis in our daily activities. Also, in addition to the regular staff, we also have external experts engaged who offer opportunities for development in all areas that are of interest to our members”, she said.

Mrs. Murati further emphasized that the interest of women in employment in the country is very great. This, as Mrs. Murati said, based on the results and achievements in providing suitable options and solutions, but also the successes of the women who pass through the doors of the “Lady” NGO. She says that whenever gatherings are organized, the halls are overflowing with women who are looking for opportunities to train and develop more.

“Based on the mission of our organization, we implement various projects that match the needs of women, which they consider a priority to build a better and successful environment in life, career and their families”, said Mrs. Murati.

Throughout all these years of work and commitment, NGO Lady has already created a network of women who do various handcrafts and participate in trainings to generate income for themselves. “Lady” has also managed to expand cooperation and create new partnerships with the countries of the Western Balkan region.

Ending a year with challenges and successes, the NGO Lady in December 2022 has co-organized a ceremony with the office of the Deputy Prime Minister Emilija Redžepi to award the Crown of Success dedicated to women who have worked, sacrificed, and made special contributions to the country.

03.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

01.09.25

Kosovars Becoming More Aware of Gender-Based Violence and Reporting Mechanisms

01.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Justice

30.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Prosecution Council

29.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers

29.08.25

From Health Education to Lasting Support for Survivors of Sexual Violence

Vienna and Venice Students Appreciate the Work of KWN

25.01.2023

Kosovo Women’s Network hosted a group of European Master’s Degree students in Human Rights and Democratization from Venice and University of Vienna.

Adelina Tërshani, Program Officer for Women’s Economic Empowerment at KWN, informed the students about KWN’s activities, the main pillars of advocacy and the tireless work of KWN member organizations throughout Kosovo.

For years, KWN has hosted students from all over the world, informing them about the feminist movement in Kosovo.

03.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

01.09.25

Kosovars Becoming More Aware of Gender-Based Violence and Reporting Mechanisms

01.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Justice

30.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Prosecution Council

29.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers

29.08.25

From Health Education to Lasting Support for Survivors of Sexual Violence

In Remembrance of Vesna Kesić Regional Activists Gather Online

25.01.2023

In honor of Vesna Kesić, a feminist activist and journalist from Croatia, feminist activists from the former Yugoslavia region and beyond gathered online to pay tribute to her contributions to the feminist movement in the region.

“Our goal was to hear from various histories of experiences about feminist values of the anti-war movement, who were the models of inspiration before us, as well about solidarity for women across the borders,” the organizers said.

One of the speakers, the feminist activist Igballe Rogova, discussed the role of women’s organizations during the 1990s, including the “Bread for Drenica” protest and other peaceful movements. She also shared her experiences of networking with other activists from the region and beyond, including the annual “Women in Black” international conferences and the creation of the “Coalition of Women for Peace.”

This networking occurred during the negotiations between Kosovo and Serbia, was strengthened even more when Serbian women apologized for the crimes committed in Kosovo by the Serbian forces of the regime of Slobodan Milosevic.

“This act of apology strengthened the foundations of cooperation and mutual trust,” said Rogova, among other things.

Other participants, including Vesna Janković from Zagreb, Jasminka Drino Kirlić from Gornji Vakuf/Uskoplje, Lepa Mlađenović from Belgrade, Hannah Safran from Haifa, Paula Petričević from Kotor, Jelka Zorn from Ljubljana, Rebecca Johnson from London, Madeleine Rees from Geneva, and Gorana Mlinarević from Sarajevo, shared their experiences and activities during the time of war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Kosovo and how they contributed to supporting activities in the region.

03.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

01.09.25

Kosovars Becoming More Aware of Gender-Based Violence and Reporting Mechanisms

01.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Justice

30.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Prosecution Council

29.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers

29.08.25

From Health Education to Lasting Support for Survivors of Sexual Violence

OMNES Informs Over 30 women About the Prevention of Stress and Violence

24.01.2023

Throughout the past year, the Organization for Legal and Social Research – OMNES has held workshops for 35 women in Ferizaj, Fushë Kosova, and Pristina about stress and domestic violence and how to prevent these problems.

In addition to the workshops, OMNES also carried out research with 70 women and girls related to the framework of the initiative “Advocating to relevant institutions for protection against violence and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on stress and depression in women.”

According to Blerim Gruda, project manager at OMNES, the two-month research was held in three municipalities and lasted five days. The online workshops have been held for women participants upon request.

“90% or 95% of them wanted the training to be held online because some of them probably had more confidence participating or simply did not want to see or meet physically. After the physical meetings, we started online training. They started to tell their stories without being exposed or having physical contact,” he said.

OMNES’ research has highlighted the increase in cases of stress and violence during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The research shows that in the period March-June 2019, 557 domestic violence cases have been reported, while in the period March-June 2020, the number has increased to 696 cases.

Following the findings of the research, OMNES came up with a total of seven recommendations:

• To raise awareness in society in the prevention of violence against women, as it is necessary to change the attitudes and behaviours of both men and women, regarding prejudices and stereotypes against women in order to prevent domestic violence;

• Ensure that measures for emergency situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic address cross-cutting inequalities, such as the needs of women of different abilities, ages, and ethnicity, and those in rural areas;

• To engage civil society more, including Civil Society Organizations in the process of drafting measures to address COVID-19 in the short, medium and long term;

• Revise the recovery plan in order to prioritize investments in social infrastructure, including health care, education, care services, social services, especially for people experiencing violence, and unsafe environments.

• The victim should be at the center of all policies and that the prosecution of the perpetrator should continue even if the victim withdraws;

• Allocate resources to evidence-based rehabilitation programs to prevent future violence;

• Ensure the availability of social housing that could be used for a period of time by victims of domestic violence, after they leave shelters and before they become fully financially independent.

However, the increase in cases did not turn out to be the only problem in society, since according to Gruda, during this time, there was also a lack of information on how to report the violence.

“I think the project has had a very positive impact on the basis of how much they have been informed on where and how to report on such cases,” said Gruda.

This project has been supported by the Kosovo Women’s Fund 17^th round with the support of the European Union Office in Kosovo (EU) via KWN’s initiative: “Enhancing the Capacities and Resilience of CSO’s: Furthering Gender Equality Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.

03.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

01.09.25

Kosovars Becoming More Aware of Gender-Based Violence and Reporting Mechanisms

01.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Justice

30.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Prosecution Council

29.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers

29.08.25

From Health Education to Lasting Support for Survivors of Sexual Violence

“Shtëpia ime” in Ferizaj raises awareness against domestic violence

23.01.2023

The Center for the Protection of Women and Children “Shtepia Ime” in Ferizaj held various activities to raise the awareness against gender-based violence and domestic violence. During the eight-month project, “Shtepia ime” also held trainings with the staff of the Coordinaton Mechanism for Protection from Domestic Violence in Ferizaj’s region: Hani i Elezit, Shtime, and Kaçanik.

At least 95 people have benefited from the activities of the initiative “Strengthening the Coordination Mechanism for Protection from Domestic Violence for the Ferizaj Region.”

The advisor of this center, Gresa Kllokoqi, explained that the organization holds frequent meetings with the police, the Center for Social Work, the courts, the prosecutor’s office, the hospital, and mental health centers.

“We face different problems, such as the lack of staff in social work centers and Kosovo’s Police. Also, there is a lack of budget planning in the institutions that fight domestic and gender-based violence. But, we have reached an agreement to cooperate with them in order to have joint success”.

Kllokoqi points out that there is still reluctance to report cases of gender-based violence and those of domestic violence.

“We often think that there is no violence because there is no reporting of violence. But, this is not true. Violence happens. But, there is a lack of reporting. The patriarchal mentality is another issue that we have to deal with.”

However, she says that after awareness campaigns on the organization’s social networks, citizens have started to become informed about domestic violence and gender-based violence.

“We have posted campaigns on our Facebook page and about our activities. We have placed descriptions of what those activities are for and why they are carried out. We think that many citizens have benefitted from the campaign,” she said.

“I hope that one day the patriarchal mentality will be reduced and based on these awareness’ campaigns we are moving towards the eradication of the patriarchal mentality in society even though it will take a long time”, she said.

The Center for the Protection of Women and Children “Shtepia Ime” has benefitted from the 17th round of Kosovo Women’s Fund of KWN with support of the European Union Office in Kosovo (EU) via KWN’s initiative: “Enhancing the Capacities and Resilience of CSO’s: Furthering Gender Equality Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.

03.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

01.09.25

Kosovars Becoming More Aware of Gender-Based Violence and Reporting Mechanisms

01.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Justice

30.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Prosecution Council

29.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers

29.08.25

From Health Education to Lasting Support for Survivors of Sexual Violence

KWN reacts to the case of Haxhiaj: Another unjust sentence!

17.01.2023

The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) reacts to the institutional neglect, non-qualification of the offense, and non-imposition of meritorious punishment, according to Article 173 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kosovo.

Through this press release, KWN reacts against the criminal offense and the imposition of the conviction of the man from Prizren, Ilir Haxhiaj, who killed his wife Hatije Dina.

The sentence of 15 years in prison for murder and the pronouncement of the offense in “slight bodily harm” normalizes the violence and killing of women that occurs constantly.

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 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.

The evaluations of the dangerousness by the police officers are weak, and the qualification of the crimes by the prosecutors is done in order to mitigate the crimes of violence and to stop the investigations.

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 requires that the crime be reclassified from “serious bodily injury” to “aggravated murder” and after the reclassification, the sentence be announced by the Court.

The chain of institutional failure 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 rule of law framework and access to justice.

Through this press release, the KWN also requests from the Ministry of Justice a systematic review of all cases of violence that ended with fatality.

KWN remains open to cooperation and assistance to victims of gender-based violence through free legal advice and referrals 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

Art Without Limit Organizes the Festival that Brings People with Disabilities to the Spotlight

29.12.2022

For the third time in a row, Art Without Limit organized the only festival in the region dedicated to people with disabilities.

The creator of “Art Without Limit International Film Festival”, Ganimete Sava, in an interview for the Kosovo Women’s Network, talks about the echo that the festival has received.

“In this edition, over 1000 films have applied, but 50 short films have been selected from those. The movies have been made by successful directors and actors in the international arena, and some of whom have also worked and played in large films and series, such as; Game of Thrones, Gangs of London, Harry Potter, etc.”

The executive director of Art Without Limit is pleased that for three years now people with different abilities have a festival dedicated just for them.

“People with disabilities in Kosovo already have their own platform and address. Every year they get together and create new friendships with other people from the same community, not only Kosovar but also internationals; they watch wonderful films with motivational themes together with their families and friends,” she said.

“During our work, we, the staff, volunteers and colleagues have noticed that this community has welcomed this event that has been going on for three years now, and that a good opportunity is being created for them to come out of the shadows and into the light.”
The idea for such a festival first occurred to Ganimete Sava years ago, when she participated in a similar festival in Finland.

“Given that there are about 200,000 people with disabilities of various categories living in Kosovo, I came up with the idea that we should create such a festival here and through films they can find themselves to be motivated, inspired and bring awareness to other differently-abled people in Kosovo and beyond,” she says.

And her work has paid off. This year the documentary film “Sparks of Light”, whose producer is Ganimete Sava, won the “Best Documentary Film in the International Category” award at the 22nd edition of the International Film Festival Zimbabwe 2022. AWL intends to continue such activities and turn the festival into a traditional one.

“The plans of AWL are to continue with various artistic activities, also with the festival which has already reached international proportions, having in the jury big names of the film from Hollywood, Europe and Kosovo,” Sava says.

03.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

01.09.25

Kosovars Becoming More Aware of Gender-Based Violence and Reporting Mechanisms

01.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Justice

30.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Prosecution Council

29.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers

29.08.25

From Health Education to Lasting Support for Survivors of Sexual Violence

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.

03.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

01.09.25

Kosovars Becoming More Aware of Gender-Based Violence and Reporting Mechanisms

01.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Justice

30.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Prosecution Council

29.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers

29.08.25

From Health Education to Lasting Support for Survivors of Sexual Violence

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.”

03.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

01.09.25

Kosovars Becoming More Aware of Gender-Based Violence and Reporting Mechanisms

01.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Justice

30.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Prosecution Council

29.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers

29.08.25

From Health Education to Lasting Support for Survivors of Sexual Violence

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