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.

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

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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.

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 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.

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

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.

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 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!

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

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.

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

400 Women Were Informed About Legal Means of Protection From Gender-Based Violence

16.11.2022

Fifty women, victims of violence, namely from the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian (RAE) communities from the municipalities of Gjakova, Deçan and Junik, have received legal and psychological assistance within the project “Providing legal and psychological support to women who are victims of gender-based violence”.

In a period of 6 months, through the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) member organization, Femrat Aktive të Gjakovës’s initiative, 400 women have been informed about legal mechanisms of protection from gender-based violence.

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To discuss these issues and the inter-institutional coordination, this organization held a roundtable on September 29th in Gjakova.

The legal expert Arbnore Shehu Bunjaku, who worked as a trainer in this project, spoke about three activities carried out within this project.

“We have encountered the biggest problems during these meetings with the Roma, Ashkali Egyptian community because they have very little knowledge about their legal rights. The community should feel they can come forward for any problem to report violence, school dropouts (which is a criminal offense), child marriages, and so on”.

Some of the recommendations that were made at this discussion table consisted of increasing the number of cases for judges, the amendment of the Family Law, and the increase in the number of victims’ defenders in other municipalities.

Erblina Dinarama, director of the “Shtëpia e Sigurt” shelter in Gjakova, said that there are 25 women and children currently staying in this shelter.

“However, from the beginning of January until August 31st, there were 141 mothers and children who came to the shelter,” she announced.

Enis Gashi, prosecutor at the Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Gjakovë, said that the domestic violence cases have been treated with priority.

“For some of these cases the security measures have been applied and the suspects have been sent to the detention center to ensure that crime will not be repeated. This year we had quite a large number of cases. In the period of January through August, we had over 50 cases with detention. The number of domestic violence for this year is over 100,” Gashi said.

Valbona Doli Rizvanolli, director of the NGO “Femrat Aktive të Gjakovës” stressed that one of the main problems of victims of violence is the change of statements.

“I think that these communities have resistance to these issues, even though I have tried to raise their awareness. They report cases of sexual violence or domestic violence. They report to the police that there was violence and evidence to prove this. When they go to the prosecutor, they slowly start to change their statement. They withdraw their original statement because they do not have the support of the state. The state does not support them, and the only solution is for the victim to return to the abuser, and usually the largest number of cases we see a return to the abuser.”

Meanwhile, Dinarama said that “the period of stay in the shelter for any victim is not the same because it depends on how the victim is able to rehabilitate. There are women who overcome the abuse easier and quicker and women who need more time. So, if a mother is not ready to take care of her children, then we cannot make requests to provide her with social housing or the insurance of a rental apartment,” Dinarama said.

According to her, the action plan for the victim is done in coordination with the Center for Social Work. This project has been implemented by the NGO Femrat Aktive të Gjakovës, supported by the European Union Office in Kosovo.

NGO Femrat Aktive të Gjakovës carried out this activity as a beneficiary of the grant from the 17th Round of the Kosovo Women’s Fund, through the initiative of the KWN “Enhancing the Capacities and Resilience of CSO’s: Furthering Gender Equality Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic,” which is financed by the Office of the European Union 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

KWN Discusses Membership’s Manual and Code of Conduct and Finalizes its Four-Year Strategy

14.11.2022

Around 90 representatives of member organizations, partners and supporters of the work of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), gathered on 14 November in Pristina to finalize the KWN Strategy for 2023-2026. Also the Policy Manual and Code of Conduct of Assembly Members has been presented.

Igballe Rogova, Executive Director, KWN, during the opening speech, spoke about the second edition of KWN’s 1325 Facts and Fables, which, as she emphasized, “it is the history of women’s activism in Kosovo, when solidarity was the greatest power to push forward women’s agenda.”

Today, when KWN has 190 organizations, she pointed out the importance of bringing back the updated Policy Manual and Code of Conduct as a necessary mechanism.

Further, she spoke about all the important work, achievements and the advocacy during the four years of KWN’s Strategy 2019-2022 implementation.

While, Donjeta Morina, gender expert, presented the objectives and expected results of the new KWN Strategy.

In the second part of the meeting the participants divided in four working groups have worked to finalize objectives and expected results from the strategy for each of the following programs:

  • Furthering gender equality through rule of law;
  • Life free from gender-based violence;
  • Empowering women economically and
  • Education that transforms gender norms, and protecting the environment.

This meeting is supported by Austrian Development Agency (ADA).

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

NGO “Bliri” Held Advocacy Meetings with Municipal Directorates of Drenas

11.11.2022

On 8 November the beneficiary organization of the 17th Round Bliri held an advocacy meeting with the Directorate of Health and that of Budget on November 8, regarding the recommendations from a policy analysis undertaken by the organization.

The Kosovo Women’s Network member organisation Bliri has conducted a survey with about 100 women from the municipality of Drenas about women’s access to gynecological services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The results of the survey were written in a summary of policies and its findings were discussed at the meeting. According to this survey, it appears that 22% of women in Drenas have never had a gynecological checkup and 62% of single women have never had a gynecological checkup. Although there are 2 gynecologists at the Principal Center of Family Medical Care in Drenas.

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Its capacity is not enough if women performed regular gynecological check-ups. According to surveys, the problem of access to gynecological check-ups is also transportation, considering that the villages do not have public transportation that connects them to the urban areas.

Head of the Directorate for Health and Social Welfare, Arsim Haxhiu has indicated that the current capacities are sufficient for the flow of gynecological checks, agreeing that the mentality in Drenas prevents women from routine checks and agreeing with the recommendation that work should be done on awareness for routine checks.

During this meeting, the budget allocation for the health sector was also discussed. According to the data from the municipality, the municipal budget was doubled during the pandemic, but to improve the situation in health services, the municipality must address the need for public transport, so that they can have access to gynecological services. However, the cost of urban transport connecting the villages is much higher than what the municipality can afford.

The Director for Budgets and Finances in the municipality of Drenas, Shyqiri Bublaku said that “we always invite women to participate in budget hearings so that the budget also addresses the needs of women. We are open to collaborations because the participation of women in budget hearings makes our work easier.”

NGO Bliri carried out this activity as a beneficiary of the grant from the 17th Round of the Kosovo Women’s Fund, through the initiative of the KWN “Enhancing the Capacities and Resilience of CSO’s: Furthering Gender Equality Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic,” which is financed by the Office of the European Union 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