Kosovo Women's Network

Qendra MVPT sensibilizoi mbi 77 mijë qytetarë për trafikimin kibernetik, ngacmimin seksual dhe barazinë gjinore

28.04.2023

Qendra për Mbrojtjen e Viktimave dhe Parandalimin e Trafikimit me Qenie Njerëzore (MVPT) ka mbi 10 vite që punon në misionin e saj për ofruar shërbime multi sektoriale, përfshirë edukim, hulumtim, avokim duke pasur si target grup viktimat e trafikimit, viktimat potenciale, fëmijët në rrezik për tu trafikuar dhe komunitetit në përgjithësi.

Në kuadër të këtij misioni, Qendra MVPT ka qenë ka qenë përfituese e projektit “Mbrojtja, avokimi dhe promovimi i të drejtave të viktimave të trafikimit të qenieve njerëzore” i cili është përkrahur nga Rrjeti i Grave të Kosovës (RRGK) dhe është financuar nga Bashkimi Evropian.

Kohëzgjatja e projektit ka qenë nga datat 1 prill të vitit 2022 deri më 31 mars të këtij viti.

Përgjatë kësaj periudhe 12 mujore, 25 persona janë angazhuar në rritjen e ndërgjegjësimit për të drejtat e njeriut, trafikimin e qenieve njerëzore dhe të drejtat me bazë gjinore.

Po ashtu, ata kanë marrë vlerësime mjekësore që çojnë në përmirësim të përgjithshëm të shëndetit.

Këta 25 përfitues kanë fituar njohuri të zgjeruara në lidhje me shëndetin e tyre të përgjithshëm.

Ky projekt ka sjellë një tjetër hap pozitiv duke bërë që fushata digjitale të tejkalojë shtrirjen e saj të parashikuar, me 77 mijë e 210 qytetarë të sensibilizuar dhe të edukuar për tema si trafikimi kibernetik, ngacmimi seksual dhe barazia gjinore.

Në përgjigje të nevojave organizative, Qendra MVPT ka hartuar një Strategji të re 5-vjeçare që përfshin si Ndihmën Direkte ashtu edhe Parandalimin, me fokus të veçantë te viktimat, përfshirë ato të prekura nga pasojat e pandemisë Covid-19.

Kjo qendër gjithashtu ka rinovuar faqen e saj të internetit për të shfaqur misionin, punën, shërbimet dhe donatorët e saj.

Ky projekt përkrahet nga Fondi i Grave të Kosovës i RrGK-së me mbështetjen e Zyrës së Bashkimit Evropian në Kosovë përmes nismës së RrGK-së “Ngritja e kapaciteteve dhe qëndrueshmërisë së OShC-ve: Avancimi i barazisë gjinore në mes të pandemisë COVID-19”.

19.12.25

Kosovo Women’s Network Publishes Report “Zero Tolerance? Monitoring the Institutional Response to Gender-based Violence in Kosovo”

18.12.25

Inclusive Sexual Education: A Needed Change

18.12.25

Building Stronger Responses to Gender-based Violence Across Kosovo

18.12.25

Going Glocal 2.0: Sustainable Gender-responsive Futures

18.12.25

16 Days of Activism: Raising Awareness and Strengthening Advocacy

17.12.25

Moving Forward Together: Making Transport Accessible for Everyone

Leze Qena’s Impactful Use of Humor to Empower Women and Promote their Rights

25.04.2023

Leze Qena, who devoted her life to Albanian theater and culture, always found time to participate in activities aimed at empowering women and girls. As an actor whose performances were well-received by audiences, she and other women activists inspired many women to pursue their dreams.

As a young girl, Lezja had many dreams. However, at the time, the profession she chose was not only unusual but also difficult for her parents and relatives to accept due to the archaic conditions in which Albanian families lived.

With her personal will and determination, Lezja, a well-known actor, achieved her goals despite the difficulties and obstacles that came her way. She proved that when a person is determined to achieve something, they can reach their goals.

However, it was Lezja’s father who supported her every step of the way. Lezja always exhibited strong drive and inexhaustible energy, which she attributed to both her innate abilities and her father’s influence. According to the actor, her father was also very energetic and a hard worker.

Although Leze is almost always referred to as an actress, singing was actually more of a hobby than a profession for her. Despite this, Leze has expressed regret that she did not take the time to pursue singing professionally as well. She explains that during concerts, she would sing parodies, embellishing them with selected humor. The audience was not only highly satisfied but also responded with enthusiasm, resulting in even better performances over time.

“In the 1990s, when Kosovo was under Serbian occupation, the association “Motrat Qiriazi” organized shows aimed at empowering women and girls in the region of Has. The talented actress Leze Qena participated in these activities several times, using her presence and humor to deliver empowering messages to women and girls through her performances,” says Igballe Rogova, the executive director of KWN. During the 1990s, Rogova, along with the actress and activist Safete Rogova, founded the “Motrat Qiriazi” association.

Leze Qena was born on March 1, 1935 in Prizren and passed away on March 25, 2020 in Pristina

19.12.25

Kosovo Women’s Network Publishes Report “Zero Tolerance? Monitoring the Institutional Response to Gender-based Violence in Kosovo”

18.12.25

Inclusive Sexual Education: A Needed Change

18.12.25

Building Stronger Responses to Gender-based Violence Across Kosovo

18.12.25

Going Glocal 2.0: Sustainable Gender-responsive Futures

18.12.25

16 Days of Activism: Raising Awareness and Strengthening Advocacy

17.12.25

Moving Forward Together: Making Transport Accessible for Everyone

KWN Reacts to Sexist Language Against Minister Albulena Haxhiu

19.04.2023

Today, the news portal Nacionale published a news story in which the journalist focused on the physical appearance, specifically the hair of Minister Haxhiu, as she left a conference on the topic of the Center for Social Work.

Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), strongly condemns this treatment and the sexist language used towards Minister Haxhiu. We call on the media in Kosovo to report on the important work of each woman engaged in the public sphere, rather than focusing on their physical appearance.

When the journalist asked Minister Haxhiu about her hair, she replied that “It is better to inform the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo about what is happening with the Centers for Social Work and the recommendations that came out of the conference, than to focus on my hair, as this is my personal business.”

Women continue to play a constructive part in political processes in Kosovo. Therefore, KWN strongly opposes any attempt to invalidate their political role through such acts. We must fight against the language and mindset that still portrays women within a certain frame. We must reject trends that aim to show how women should look or behave to be accepted by society, as this questions their contribution.

This mindset once again highlights how much we have to do in our journey and mission to break down such gender inequalities and prejudices.

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

Burbuqe Berisha: The First Woman Director in Kosovo Who Raised the Role of Women in Kosovar Cinematography

18.04.2023

“There are many great artists who live very long and do not manage to do even a quarter of the work that Burbuqe did. She did it all at breakneck speed as if she sensed she had a limited time to live. Buqe is the first female director in Kosovo and was an inspiration for the young directors who came after,” Arbnesha Grabovci Nixha, a close friend of the first film and theater director in Kosovo said.

Burbuqe Berisha represents a group of creators who were formed during the time of resistance, transforming art as resistance and testimony. Her life was not easy. Burbuqe Berisha made many sacrifices for her family. She grew up without parents, while her father was imprisoned for political reasons. Buqja was a mother and father to her sisters and brother, helping them achieve their goals and guiding them on the right path.

Despite all the difficulties, she left her mark on the new history of Kosovo by becoming the first woman to graduate from the Faculty of Arts, Department of Film Directing at the University of Pristina. In addition to her profession as a director, she also held the position of director at the National Theater of Kosovo for a period of four years.

She was also a member of the Governing Council of the Kosovo Cinematographic Center, as well as the “Shota” Ensemble in 2017, and the manager of Kino ABC. Burbuqe Berisha has created a significant number of short and long films, documentaries, television series, and theater performances, and was the winner of several awards at international film and theater festivals. In 2019, she won the national award for cinematography.

In December 2003, her film “Kosova Eleven” won one of the main prizes at the International Short Film Festival. In 2019, she was awarded the “Bekim Fehmiu” award by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports for her contribution to art. Her film “A Story from Pristina” was awarded the Special Media Award in the Long Film Competition at the “Dea Open Air” festival in Tirana. This film, which stands out as one of her most successful productions, dealt with a sensitive and personal subject for the director.

“The film talks about a family where a little girl gets sick with leukemia, and her parents do their best to find the right income to cure her,” said the now-deceased director.

For years, Burbuqe also practiced the profession of lecturer and vice-dean of the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication at the AAB College in Prishtina. Despite facing significant hardships throughout her life, Burbuqe Berisha was recognized by those close to her as someone who never ceased to offer assistance to others. Her family, friends, and colleagues attest that she consistently made herself available to lend a helping hand whenever the need arose.

For years, she has been part of the “Tetori Rozë” organization to raise awareness against breast cancer, especially the traditional walk against breast cancer held in October, helping those who suffer from this disease and raising awareness about the importance of health care.

She died at the age of 51, leaving us a memory of a strong, persistent, loving, and tireless professional woman. Burbuqe Berisha passed away while she was getting ready to direct the opening concert of the Kosovo Opera, taking her last breath on the steps of the Ministry of Culture.

She was born in 1970 and died in Pristina in 2021.

19.12.25

Kosovo Women’s Network Publishes Report “Zero Tolerance? Monitoring the Institutional Response to Gender-based Violence in Kosovo”

18.12.25

Inclusive Sexual Education: A Needed Change

18.12.25

Building Stronger Responses to Gender-based Violence Across Kosovo

18.12.25

Going Glocal 2.0: Sustainable Gender-responsive Futures

18.12.25

16 Days of Activism: Raising Awareness and Strengthening Advocacy

17.12.25

Moving Forward Together: Making Transport Accessible for Everyone

A March for Survivors of Sexual Violence During the War in Kosovo Was Held in Pristina

14.04.2023

Today in Pristina for the first time the April 14th, the Day of Survivors of Sexual Violence, has been marked, in solidarity with approximately 20,000 people who are estimated to have been victims of sexual violence during the war 24 years ago.

The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) joined the march organized by the Kosovo Center for the Rehabilitation of Torture Survivors (QKRMT), a KWN member organization, and member organizations of the platform “Behu Zëri Im,” in cooperation with the Office of the President of the Republic of Kosovo.

April 14 coincides with the infamous date in 1999 when Vasfije Kraniqi, then 16 years old, was kidnapped by a Serbian policeman and taken to the village of Babimost, where she was sexually assaulted.

The director of QKRMT, Feride Rushiti, says that initiatives were started in 2019 to turn this date into a Memorial Day.

“Exactly on April 14, 2019, together with Vasfije, on the day and place where 20 years ago she had experienced the most terrible story of her life, we raised our voices for more family, social, and institutional support for all survivors of war sexual violence. From there came our strong voice that the terrible war crimes are an inseparable part of our collective memory and historical narrative about the painful past,” she said.

The former member of the Assembly of Kosovo, Vasfije Krasniqi, expressed her gratitude for the announcement of April 14 as a day of solidarity with the victims of sexual violence.

“I want to mark this day with strength and courage, to give strength to the victims,” she said.

The Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, said that the victims’ status should be recognized, and stigmatization should be fought.

“We must not allow these crimes to be forgotten or silenced! We must fight the stigma and support the victims of sexual violence during the war! It is our responsibility to ensure that their voices are heard and that their stories are never forgotten,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the Presidency of Kosovo, the adviser to the president, Donika Kadaj Bujupi, said that recognizing the status of the victims and supporting them is a prerequisite for peace.

“Survivors of violence must be at the center of our society’s healing process,” she said.

The march started at 12:00 from “Ibrahim Rugova” Square and continued to the Heroinat Monument, where the installation “April 14″ was unveiled.”

19.12.25

Kosovo Women’s Network Publishes Report “Zero Tolerance? Monitoring the Institutional Response to Gender-based Violence in Kosovo”

18.12.25

Inclusive Sexual Education: A Needed Change

18.12.25

Building Stronger Responses to Gender-based Violence Across Kosovo

18.12.25

Going Glocal 2.0: Sustainable Gender-responsive Futures

18.12.25

16 Days of Activism: Raising Awareness and Strengthening Advocacy

17.12.25

Moving Forward Together: Making Transport Accessible for Everyone

KWN and the Council of Europe Deepen Cooperation in the Fight Against Gender-Based Violence

14.04.2023

On April 14, representatives from the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) met with Nitë Bylykbashi Deliu, the Senipr Official of Project in the Council of Europe Office in Pristina, and project assistant Beatriçe Sopa Çitaku at the KWN offices. The meeting was held as part of coordination meetings with actors working in the field of combating gender-based violence.

Adelina Berisha, Program Manager for Addressing Gender-Based Violence, and Besarta Breznica, an official of the program, discussed KWN’s program against Gender-Based Violence, activities, and objectives for 2023 to coordinate efforts to address gender-based violence.

KWN collaborates with local and international institutions to create policies aimed at preventing domestic and gender-based violence. At a conference organized by the Council of Europe in Pristina a some weeks ago “Stopping the cycle of violence – programs for perpetrators of domestic violence”, KWN provided concrete recommendations for the process.

19.12.25

Kosovo Women’s Network Publishes Report “Zero Tolerance? Monitoring the Institutional Response to Gender-based Violence in Kosovo”

18.12.25

Inclusive Sexual Education: A Needed Change

18.12.25

Building Stronger Responses to Gender-based Violence Across Kosovo

18.12.25

Going Glocal 2.0: Sustainable Gender-responsive Futures

18.12.25

16 Days of Activism: Raising Awareness and Strengthening Advocacy

17.12.25

Moving Forward Together: Making Transport Accessible for Everyone

Edi Shukriu, an Emblematic Figure, Who Paved the Way for Knowledge and Education for Girls and Women in Kosovo

11.04.2023

“The mind does not depend on gender identity, and women have proven this with their work. There is no force that can stop the sacred aspirations of a nation towards self-determination, comprehensive emancipation, and equality.”

These words of Edi Shukriu, the model woman who gave a lot to the nation by engaging in public life and implementing gender equality, show a lot about her dedication to paving the path of knowledge and emancipation for young girls. With her extraordinary work, Edi Shukriu left her mark in the field of archaeology, history, literature, and in political, institutional, and cultural commitments throughout the Albanian space.

The first woman archeologist in Kosovo, Edi Shukriu, was noted for the discovery of the Goddess on the Throne (Hyjnesha në Fron), which today is a symbol of the capital of Pristina.

“Archaeologists always dream, just like I did. In 1968, when I was a first-year student, I read an article in a Romanian magazine about two monuments dedicated to the Dardania’s goddess that were discovered in Romania. Since then, I have been trying to find them; I’ve never stopped. I kept thinking, ‘How is it possible not to have a monument of the Dardania’s goddess in Kosovo?’ I searched for years, and in 1988, I discovered it in Smira, Vitia. It was a miracle! What I have left as an unrealized dream is that there is also a temple dedicated to the Dardania’s goddess in Kosovo. I know for sure that it was also in the territory of Kosovo, right in front of our noses, but I don’t know where it is. I hope that the new generations will discover it,” said Edi Shukriu.

Edi Shukriu, the steely woman who devoted her life to archaeology, science, literature, and activism, set herself apart from many of her peers. She focused her scientific and professional activities on archaeological and ancient history research, integrated protection of cultural heritage, presentation of cultural heritage in the country and abroad, as well as its management and use for social and economic development.

Apart from her academic work, Edi Shukriu played a significant role as an activist for state-building in Kosovo, the development of democratic processes, the participation of women in decision-making levels in public life, and the perpetuation of gender equality. She was the initiator of the establishment of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Women’s Forum in 1990 and was the chairwoman for five consecutive years.

One of the initiators of the “Me bukë në dorë” march, Edi, along with many other women activists, left Prishtina for Drenica to support the women who were experiencing the war in 1998. Edi Shukriu also left her mark on the establishment of many academic and cultural institutions in Kosovo. She initiated the establishment of the Archaeological Institute of Kosovo, the Opera and Ballet of Kosovo, created the core of the Kosovo Philharmonic, and strongly supported the continuation of the work of the Kosovo Ballet.

Edi Shukriu completed her studies in archaeology at the University of Belgrade, and also completed her master’s degree at the same university, while obtaining her doctorate at the University of Pristina. She received the title of Chairperson of the Kosovo Council for Cultural Heritage during the years 2009-2012. She was also the vice-president of the PEN Center of Kosovo and a member of the Writers’ Association of Kosovo.

She founded the group of Young Archaeologists “Shtjefën Gjeçovi” at the University of Pristina (1986-1990), where she organized archaeological expeditions and thematic exhibitions in the Archaeological Collection of the Faculty of Philosophy. From 2014, she was a member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts in Salzburg. For her life’s work in the field of cultural heritage, she was awarded the “Dea Dardanciae” award by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

Edi Shukriu was born in Prizren in 1950 and lived in Pristina until her passing on January 17, 2023.

19.12.25

Kosovo Women’s Network Publishes Report “Zero Tolerance? Monitoring the Institutional Response to Gender-based Violence in Kosovo”

18.12.25

Inclusive Sexual Education: A Needed Change

18.12.25

Building Stronger Responses to Gender-based Violence Across Kosovo

18.12.25

Going Glocal 2.0: Sustainable Gender-responsive Futures

18.12.25

16 Days of Activism: Raising Awareness and Strengthening Advocacy

17.12.25

Moving Forward Together: Making Transport Accessible for Everyone

Peja Shelter Provides Legal and Psychological Support to Almost 100 Women and Girls

05.04.2023

The Center for Women’s Welfare in Peja not only offers housing, but also provides legal and psychological support, as well as professional training to women and girls who have experienced abuse and violence in their families. As a member organization of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), the center has sheltered 120 women and children in the past year alone, providing them with a safe haven away from violence and other abuses.

Between April of last year and March of this year, the shelter conducted psychological sessions for around 100 women and girls. The Center for Women’s Welfare, a beneficiary of a grant from the 17th round of the Kosovo Women’s Fund of KWN, held the sessions as part of the ” Providing housing, legal and psychological support to women survivors of violence” initiative.

According to Ardita Ramizi Bala, the director of the center, sheltered women were provided with legal advice over a six-month period regarding protection from domestic violence. “In this 12-month project, a lawyer visited once a week for six months to discuss the women’s rights and any issues they were interested in, such as inheritance, protective orders, or the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence,” Ramizi Bala said.

Furthermore, the center helped to increase the employment opportunities for 20 sheltered women by enhancing their capacities. Women and girls participated in courses, including cooking, computers, hairdressing, tailoring, and other jobs. These courses were offered to women and girls to pass the time but also to provide professional training since they were forced to stay locked up in shelters.

The director of the shelter noted that these activities brought progress to the women and girls sheltered in this center. “We have noticed progress because there has been a great interest in participating in both activities since women did not know about these things before. They did not have time to meet with a lawyer, so they were interested, and at the same time, they became aware of different issues,” she said.

This project was supported by the Kosovo Women’s Fund with the help of the European Union Office in Kosovo through the KWN initiative “Enhancing the Capacities and Resilience of CSO’s: Furthering Gender Equality Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.”

19.12.25

Kosovo Women’s Network Publishes Report “Zero Tolerance? Monitoring the Institutional Response to Gender-based Violence in Kosovo”

18.12.25

Inclusive Sexual Education: A Needed Change

18.12.25

Building Stronger Responses to Gender-based Violence Across Kosovo

18.12.25

Going Glocal 2.0: Sustainable Gender-responsive Futures

18.12.25

16 Days of Activism: Raising Awareness and Strengthening Advocacy

17.12.25

Moving Forward Together: Making Transport Accessible for Everyone

Friends of Europe’s Representatives visit KWN

04.04.2023

Thomas Van Vynckt and Alejandro Esteso Perez from Friends of Europe visited the offices of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) on Tuesday, April 4th. KWN’s Program Director and Lead Researcher, Nicole Farnsworth, and Women’s Economic Empowerment Program Officer, Adelina Tërshani, spoke with the guests about KWN’s new strategy, programs, and the Network’s work over the years. They also discussed how social change happens and opportunities for joint advocacy to advance gender equality in the country.

KWN is committed to a society in which women and men have equal opportunities in education, employment, participation in politics, health, and live a life without violence. Therefore, the mission of KRG is to support, protect, and promote the rights and interests of women and girls throughout Kosovo, regardless of their political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, age, level of education, sexual orientation, and ability.

Friends of Europe is a leading European think tank that focuses on policy and public debate on issues related to the European Union (EU).

19.12.25

Kosovo Women’s Network Publishes Report “Zero Tolerance? Monitoring the Institutional Response to Gender-based Violence in Kosovo”

18.12.25

Inclusive Sexual Education: A Needed Change

18.12.25

Building Stronger Responses to Gender-based Violence Across Kosovo

18.12.25

Going Glocal 2.0: Sustainable Gender-responsive Futures

18.12.25

16 Days of Activism: Raising Awareness and Strengthening Advocacy

17.12.25

Moving Forward Together: Making Transport Accessible for Everyone

KWN and Save the Children Discuss Collaboration to Advance Women’s Rights

04.04.2023

On Tuesday, April 4, a delegation from the Office of Save the Children in Kosovo, consisting of Durim Gashi, Project Manager, Tringa Lajçi, Coordinator of the Child Protection Program, and Ardonita Hyseni, Coordinator for MEAL visited Kosovo Women’s Network.

During the meeting with the Director of Program and the Lead Researcher at KWN, Nicole Farnsworth, the Program Manager for Addressing Gender-Based Violence, Adelina Berisha, and the Officer of the Program for Women’s Economic Empowerment and Gender Responsive Budgeting, Adelina Tërshani, they discussed the new strategy of the Network, education, the need for Gender-Responsive Budgeting, as well as the Gender-Based Violence Addressing Program.

During this coordination meeting between Save the Children and KWN, possibilities of cooperation in the future were discussed in order to further advance the rights of girls and women in Kosovo.

KWN constantly works towards achieving its vision for Kosovo where women and men are equal and have equal opportunities in education, employment, participation in politics, health, and live a life without violence.

KWN achieves its vision through its mission to support, protect and promote the rights and interests of women and girls throughout Kosovo, regardless of their political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, age, level of education, sexual orientation, and ability.

19.12.25

Kosovo Women’s Network Publishes Report “Zero Tolerance? Monitoring the Institutional Response to Gender-based Violence in Kosovo”

18.12.25