NORMA Continues its Activities on Women’s Empowerment, Thanks to the KWF’s Core Support
20.04.2022
On April 20, the member organization of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), Lawyers Association Norma, held a workshop with members of the Municipal Organization of Pensioners and Disabled Workers.
A total of 19 women were widely informed about their rights under the law and opportunities to protect them, as well as to combat and prevent gender-based violence.
Lecturer Ariana Qosaj-Mustafa, lawyer, informed the participants about the local and international legal framework.
She shared some of the most important articles of the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence, with special emphasis on protection orders as well as on institutions where the victim should seek help in case of experiencing violence.
This activity is realized thanks to the organizational support received from the 16th round of the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF), the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), with financial support from the Sigrid Rausing Trust.
KWN Condemns Matoshi’s Discriminatory and Sexist Language
15.04.2022
Through this press release, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) calls once more against discriminatory, sexist and misogynistic language against women in politics and decision-making.
Most recently, Halil Matoshi, the political analyst, addressed the Minister of Education, Science and Technology and Innovation Arbërie Nagavci with discriminatory language in a televised debate on Kanal 10.
Matoshi’s language should be condemned overall, nonetheless on television, media and public debates. Women face discriminatory language by men just because they are women in decision-making positions. As such, these insults not only do not coincide with women’s work and achievements, they further erroneously reinforce the belief that women in politics are not sufficiently competent for the positions they hold.
This is not the first insult to a woman in politics. We recall that many public figures have approached with the same offensive, discriminatory, sexist and misogynistic language the many women we have in decision-making positions, whether national or local.
Women continue to be a constructive part of the political process in Kosovo, so KWN strongly condemns any attempt to devalue their political role through discriminatory, sexist and misogynistic acts, such as this one. Also, this practice radically challenges the achievement of an equal, inclusive society, as well as undermines the progressive aspirations of the Republic of Kosovo.
KWN Launches the Report “Gender-based Discrimination and Labour in Kosovo”
07.04.2022
Pristina, 7 April 2022 – The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) in close cooperation with the European Union (EU), the Swedish Agency for International Development Cooperation (Sida), the Ombudsperson Institution and other important actors launched the second edition of the research report on gender-based discrimination and labour in Kosovo. The report is part of a KWN-led regional initiative to address gender-based discrimination in labour in six Western Balkan countries, funded by the EU and co-funded by Sweden/Sida.
The report analyses and identifies shortcomings in the relevant legal framework, as per the EU gender equality acquis; the prevalence and nature of gender-based discrimination related to labour; the extent to which people have filed claims; and how institutions have treated such cases. It provides recommendations for each relevant actor.
Key findings, presented by two co-authors, Adelina Tërshani and David JJ Ryan, include:
The legal and policy framework related to gender-based discrimination and labour in Kosovo seems rather comprehensive, particularly considering that much of the law is drafted in accordance with EU law. However, some overlap and unclarities require address.
Most women and men survey respondents seemed aware that gender-based discrimination is illegal. While awareness seems to have increased since 2018, knowledge on where to report gender-based discrimination has remained low. While several knew that such discrimination should be reported to employers or the Labour Inspectorate, few knew of other institutions dealing with such cases.
The institutions responsible for addressing gender-based discrimination at work lacked data about its prevalence. However, evidence shows that gender-based discrimination exists, particularly in hiring, promotion, maternity leave and sexual harassment at work.
While police and prosecutors seem generally knowledgeable about their responsibilities in addressing gender-based discrimination at work, few such criminal cases have been reported, so they lacked practical experience and case law.
Courts still have little judicial practice, and few judges seemed knowledgeable regarding the relevant legal framework.
While labour inspectors tended to know about the Labour Law, they had few discrimination-related cases and did not seem to consider treating gender-based discrimination a priority; some reports existed of inspectors’ inappropriate treatment of cases.
Key recommendations include:
The Labour Law, Law on Gender Equality and Law on Protection from Discrimination need amending to reduce overlap, clarify procedures and provide clearer sanctions for gender-based discrimination;
The Labour Law needs to include maternity, paternity, parental and carers leave in line with the EU Directive for Work-Life Balance;
More labour inspectors are needed, particularly women, who are trained on recognising and addressing gender-based discrimination at work; and
Inter-sectoral collaboration among relevant institutions and civil society is needed, including trade unions, in raising women and men’s awareness regarding what constitutes gender-based discrimination and how to report it; and supporting persons who have experienced such discrimination in seeking justice.
Igballe Rogova, KWN Executive Director, said that KWN has been lobbying since 2016 to amend the Labour Law.
“Now, there is an urgent need; there are no more justification to delay the amendment of the Labour Law, because it is extremely important as the current law discriminates against all citizens, but especially women. It should be possible to increase the number of inspectors in the labour market,” Rogova said, also calling on all those who are discriminated against to report cases to the relevant actors.
AnnaCarin Platon, Head of the Political, Economic and European Integration, and Press and Information section at the EU Office in Kosovo said that the roots and causes of discrimination should be analysed. She also observed that there are still many inequalities between mothers and fathers in terms of childcare.
“I … am looking forward to our joint work in the future. The EU Office in Kosovo will remain committed to helping Kosovo to close the gender-based discrimination gap in labour,” Platon said.
The institutions present generally agreed with KWN’s recommendations and confirmed their commitment to implementing them. The Ombudsperson, Naim Qelaj, commended KWN for the report, as well as its research and comparative work, which provide more information for policy-making.
“Regarding gender-based discrimination, despite efforts and measures to advance the position of women, there is still discrimination in almost all areas. Challenges, obstacles and discrimination expressed in these areas became more apparent last year. In 2021, the Ombudsperson received 138 complaints for violations of rights at work. Women are more disadvantaged than men. Gender-based discrimination is present in both the public and private sector, and they are rarely reported due to the non-recognition of rights and lack of practical experience and case law,” he said.
Drinas Zeqiraj, Acting Head of the Division for Drafting and Harmonisation of Legislation at the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers said that many of the recommendations have been addressed in the draft Labour Law, especially those related to the EU Work-Life Balance Directive.
“We are working on finalising the draft Labour Law. It is important to include social dialogue. The legislative plan is expected to be approved by the end of June 2022. It may be postponed for a while, but it is an urgent need to be finalised and proceed for adoption as soon as possible,” he said.
Agim Millaku, the acting head of the Labour Inspectorate, said he agrees with KWN’s findings.
“The Labour Inspectorate lacks capacities, both in terms of administrative organisation, but also the number of labour inspectors. I agree with the recommendations of the report and consider that the Labour Inspectorate should work harder so that treatment is equal for all citizens in terms of employment,” he said.
The KWN research invovled mixed methods, including review and analysis of the legal framework and different reports, an online survey and interviews. This second edition of the report covers the period since 2018, and thus serves as an update to the original research with the same title published in 2019.
The full report can be found HERE. For more information, please contact KWN at: info@womensnetwork.org or +381 (0) 38 245 850.
Women’s Center “ATO” continues with lectures on reproductive health
01.04.2022
The member organization of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), Women’s Center “ATO”, has continued the implementation of the initiative “Reproductive health education”.
During January, February and March, this organization held lectures with students of three primary schools, “Enver Hadri” in Smrekonice, “Rilindja” in Maxhunaj and”Lumni Surdulli” in Samadrexh of Vushtrri. A total of 60 students participating in these lectures received information about reproductive health education, personal hygiene, menstrual cycle, unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases and their prevention.
On March 30, the representatives of the center “ATO” met with the Director of Education in the Municipality of Vushtrri, Miradije Maloku, to discuss the importance of these lectures with young students and raising awareness regarding personal hygiene, menstrual cycle, reproductive health, etc.
This initiative, benefiting from the 15th round of the Kosovo Women’s Fund, is funded by the Austrian Development Agency and co-financed by the Swedish International Cooperation and Development This initiative is funded by the Austrian Development Agency and co-financed by the Swedish International Cooperation and Development Agency, through the Swedish Embassy in Prishtina, in the framework of KWN’s initiative “Further Advancement of Women’s Rights in Kosova II”.
The KVGK Continues to Advocate for Improving the Well-being of Blind Women and Girls
30.03.2022
On March 30, representatives of the member organization of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), the Kosovo Blind Women Committee (KGVK), held a meeting with the Third Deputy Prime Minister for Minority and Human Rights, Emilja Redzepi, to discuss topics that affect the well-being of blind and visually impaired women and girls in Kosovo.
Throughout the meeting, the KVGK raised concerns about the lack of institutional support for this comunity.
Among the KVGK recommendations for improving the conditions of blind and visually impaired women and girls are:
The new draft law stipulates that blind women and girls should have students in education, upbringing and social inclusion, so as not to be discriminated twice on the basis of their abilities as well as on the basis of gender;
Get involved in many law enforcement organizations that affect the interests of the blind and disadvantaged, in the group of women and their daughters;
Speech and their escorts to be released from sites in urban and interurban traffic.
Redzepi expressed readiness for cooperation regarding addressing these recommendations as well as continuous communication to increase the well-being of blind women and girls in Kosovo.
This meeting is a continuation of the activities that the KVGK is undertaking thanks to the support received from the 16th round of the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF), which for the first time provided organizational support to member organizations, funded by the Sigrid Rausing Trust. .
Capacity building for Labour Market: In Time Certifies Participants from Mitrovica and Lipjan
30.03.2022
In Time, member organization of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), hold trainings on labour in Mitrovica and Lipjan municipalities. On March 30, the participants of these trainings got certified thanks to this initiative supported by the 16th round of the Kosovo Women’s Fund (FGK), with financial support from the Sigrid Rausing Trust.
In Time will continue with similar trainings in other municipalities as well, next training will be held for the citizens of Prizren.
Through these trainings, 10 participants from both municipalities received vocational training for online employment in the field of technology. These trainings targeted women and young participants.
Moreover, thanks to these trainings, the participants were trained in digital marketing and databases, as well as the skills needed to enter the labour market, including soft skills.
Another important skill that participants gained is using one of the most popular employment platforms in the global market today, UpWork.
In Time is one of the eight beneficiary organizations of this round of KWF, which for the first time provided core support to KWN member organizations.
For more about core support and what it involves, you can read HERE.
Kosovo Women’s Fund Allocates more than €276,000 for 28 Organizations and Shelters in Kosovo
24.03.2022
Today, on 24th of March, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) held an Orientation Session on which occasion it allocated grants to 28 beneficiary organizations and shelters in Kosovo within the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF), amounting to a total of €276,548. More specifically, 28 grants were allocated to 19 Civil Society Organizations (CSO) and nine shelters within this round 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.
Their initiatives will contribute to realizing the Strategic Goals identified by KWN members in the KWN Strategy for 2019-2022, towards supporting, protecting, and promoting the rights and interests of women and girls, using a rights-based approach and sustainable change, particularly related to government response to the socio-economic crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
KWF 17th round grant beneficiaries (CSO’s) include:
Medica Kosova with the initiative “Raising the welfare of children / students for a life without violence” (€9,998)
Handikos Mitrovica with the initiative “Challenges of women and girls with disabilities amid Covid-19 in the municipality of Mitrovica” (€9,906)
Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired with the initiative “Managing the Covid-19 pandemic situation for the blind and visually impaired” (€9,562)
Foleja with the initiative “The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Women and Girls” (€9,989)
CECD Friends with the initiative “Life without domestic violence – promoting domestic violence protection mechanisms” (€9,351)
Shoqata për Edukim dhe Përkujdesjen e Familjes with the initiative “Improving knowledge and empowering young people to live a life free of violence and sexual harassment” (€9,900)
YMCA Movement with the initiative “Promoting the feminist movement through the empowerment of young women and men” (€9,868)
Lulishtja with the initiative “Economic empowerment of women after the crisis from the COVID-19 pandemic, through creation of family-friendly workplaces (€9,998)
Sundimi i Demokracisë në Kosovë – SDK with the initiative “Strengthening gender mechanisms for gender responsive budgeting” (€9,994)
Femrat Aktive të Gjakovës with the initiative “Providing legal and psychological support to women who are victims of gender-based violence” (€9,975)
Instituti për Dialog dhe Mosdiskriminim with the initiative “Treatment of psycho-social and economic problems in women caused by the Covid-19 pandemic” (€9,965)
Shoqata e Gruas Pensioniste “Vita Jeta” with the initiative “Covid-19 and Diabetes in the Elderly” (€9,794)
Bliri with the initiative “Raising awareness on reproductive health among young people” (€9,668)
Omladincski Gracanica with the initiative “Empowering young women with the aim of achieving economic independence and active participation in decision-making processes” (€10,000)
Violete with the initiative “Raising awareness of girls and women in the Municipality of Podujeva for a life without gender-based violence” (€9,980)
Zana with the initiative “Economic and political empowerment of women in the municipality of Klina” (€9,506)
You Can Do with the initiative “Promoting state mechanisms that women and girls with disabilities live life free of sexual abuse” (€9,978)
OJQ Rikotta with the initiative “Prevention of violence through economic empowerment of women in the Municipality of Prizren” (€9,996.50)
Organisation for Research – OMNES with the initiative “Advocating to relevant institutions for protection against violence and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on stress and depression in women” (€9,802.50)
KWF 17th round grant beneficiaries (shelters) include:
Center for Protection and Rehabilitation of Women and Children Liria with the initiative “Involvement of relevant state institutions and services in a coordinated approach to violence against women and domestic violence under the Istanbul Convention” (€9,565)
Zenski Centar with the initiative “Promoting the rights of victims of domestic violence through digital and advocacy activities” (€9,996)
Qendra për Mbrojtjen e Grave dhe Fëmijëve (QMGF) with the initiative “Sheltering, rehabilitation and reintegration for women and children, victims of domestic violence” (€9,993)
Center for Women’s Wellness with the initiative “Providing housing, legal and psychological support to women survivors of violence” (€9,996)
Safe House Gjakova with the initiative “Psychosocial empowerment of women survivors of domestic violence and raising awareness of abusive partners through psychosocial counseling” (€10,000)
QMGF “Raba Voca” Mitrovica with the initiative “Raising awareness against violence against women” (€9,993)
Qendra për Strehimin e Grave dhe Fëmijëve Prizren QSGFP with the initiative “Raising awareness and empowering victims of domestic violence” (€9,983)
Center for Protection of women and children, My home – Ferizaj with the initiative “Strengthening the Coordination Mechanism for Protection from Domestic Violence for the Ferizaj Region” (€9,837)
Center for Protecting Victims and Preventing Trafficking in Human Beings with the initiative “Protecting, advocating for and promoting the rights of Victims and Potential Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings” (€9,952)
KWN’s KWF provides small grants to women’s organizations that do not have access to other sources of funding and who seek to work for women’s rights, especially for groups working in rural areas and/or marginalized persons. Since 2012, KWF has allocated 252 grants, thus supporting 149 organizations, by a total amount of €1,477,067. It has had more than 24,387 beneficiaries. In 2022, the KWF is supported by the EU, the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), Swedish International Development Agency (Sida), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Sigrid Rausing Trust.
Drugëza Holds a Health Lecture for the Women of Rezalla of Skenderaj
24.03.2022
On March 24, the member organization of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), Drugëza, held a health lecture with 17 women from the village of Rezalla in the Municipality of Skenderaj.
The participants talked with Dr. Emine Shabani-Goxhuli about the importance of preventing and treating breast cancer, as well as the best ways to take care of their reproductive health.
“It is important that the topic is no longer taboo and us, women, discuss with other people or go directly to the doctor in case we have doubts about any changes in our body and specifically when we its about our breasts,” said Shabani-Goxhuli, among others.
However, one of the attendees drew attention to the fact that despite the fact that all women know how important the Pap Test is, there is still reluctance to do it. She further added that awareness lectures like this are among the best forms of changing this situation for the good of women and their health.
This initiative is supported by the 16th round of the Kosovo Women’s Fund, which for the first time provided organizational support to member organizations, thanks to financial support from the Sigrid Rausing Trust.
KWN Informs Women in Lipjan, Skenderaj, and Mitrovica about Discrimination in Labour and how to Report it
16.03.2022
During February, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) held three workshops in Lipjan, Skenderaj, and Mitrovica with women jobseekers and entrepreneurs regarding the legal framework for gender-based discrimination in the labour market. During the workshops, Adelina Tërshani, Project Coordinator, KWN, briefed the participants on the legal framework.
She emphasized that according to the main findings of the KWN’s research, “Gender-Based Discrimination and Labour in Kosovo”, the legal framework is not harmonized, therefore the workers who want to address their cases don’t know exactly which law to refer to. Tërshani also explained the procedures for filing lawsuits.
“The Law on Labour is still not in line with the European Union (EU) Work-Life Balance Directive. KWN with many other organizations is trying to advance the recommendations that should be included in the Labour Law and that are in line with the EU directive,” she said.
While speaking about the legal framework on gender-based discrimination in the labour market, Valmira Rashiti, Project Coordinator and Legal Assistant, KWN said that KWN is trying to find the ways for the implementation of the appropriate mechanisms.
“Although the legal framework can be complex, it is important to know the referral mechanisms where the cases of discrimination can be reported within the community where we operate,” Rashiti said.
The participants of these workshops shared their experiences regarding non-compliance with the Labour Law.
“I worked for eight years in a private business and I have never had annual leave, holiday leave or maternity leave. If I took the annual leave, I was not paid for those days,” said Serbeze Zabeli from Skenderaj.
Some former women entrepreneurs said that they had to give up their business because of the difficulties they encountered just because of gender.
“I started my own business and functioned for several years, but I had to close it because of sexual harassment from people who came to the store. I did not tell my husband because I was afraid of the worst and as a result I closed the business,” one of the participants said.
While talking about a case where she was harassed through telephone, one participant encouraged all women and girls to report any form of discrimination.
Another participant highlighted the importance of this workshop.
“These workshopsare very useful for us and for the young people. It is good for young girls and boys to embrace the concept of non-discrimination and apply it in practice, ” the activist Valbona Salihu said.
KWN constantly strives to combat gender-based discrimination in the labour market.
Zensko Pravo Holds Workshops on Prevention of Violence Against Women
15.03.2022
The member organization of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), Zensko Pravo (English: Women’s Rights), has held several activities thanks to the support received from the 15th round of the Kosovo Women’s Fund.
In the framework of the initiative “Prevention of violence against women in northern Kosovo”, the organization Zensko Pravo has organized a series of trainings and a round table on the Istanbul Convention
These trainings enabled the survivors to address the needs for reintegration into society directly to the institutions, thus creating an environment as acceptable to them as possible.
“We aim to contribute to the awareness of professionals in judicial, prosecutorial and police institutions working in cases of gender-based violence, on the need to implement the principles of the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Violence against Women and Violence in Families, now integrated in the Constitution,” said Ruzica Simic, Project Coordinator.
As part of this activity, draft agreements for cooperation with the court, the prosecution, the ombudsman and the police were also prepared, as part of the legal assistance that Zensko Pravo is providing to victims of gender-based violence.
On December 24, 2021, during a roundtable held in Mitrovica, participants were 15 officials of institutions working on cases of domestic violence and gender-based violence, as well as women who have experienced violence.
“Meetings like this affect the increase of cooperation and coordinated work between institutions and non-governmental organizations,” said the prosecutor for domestic violence cases, Natasa Tanic.
Furthermore, this organization has held a workshop with 15 officials on the role of non-governmental organizations working for women’s rights in the prevention and provision of specialized services for victims of gender-based and domestic violence. During this workshop, Simic, Project Coordinator, informed the participants about the work done by Zenkso Pravo over the years, providing free legal services to women victims of violence.
This initiative of Zensko Pravo is supported by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), through KWN’s “Further Advancement of Women’s Rights in Kosovo II” initiative, co-financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), through the Embassy of Sweden in Prishtina.
