Drugëza Continues Promoting the EU Work-Life Balance Directive in Skënderaj

On 16 February in Skenderaj, Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) member organization, Drugëza, distributed leaflets to business owners and employees informing them of KWN’s awareness-raising campaign on gender responsive family policies.

The volunteers distributed posters and placed them in the visible places of the business premises.

Gentiana Zeqiri, Manager of the organization Drugëza said that all workers, especially women, benefit from the EU Directive.

“The EU Work-Life Balance Directive creates opportunities for flexibility and appropriate conditions in the workplace, as well as increases the well-being of workers. In particular it contributes to the empowerment of women and the increase of gender equality,” Zeqiri said.

Whereas, Adelina Tërshani, Project Coordinator, KWN,  added that the implementation of this directive helps achieving the gender equality.

“KWN by promoting the EU Work-Life Balance Directive at the local level in cooperation with member organizations will inevitably affect the implementation of family-friendly policies in small businesses and increase the number of women participating in the workforce,” Tërshani said.

The Chief Executive Officer of Eko-Natyra, Arben Veliu, welcomed this campaign.

“The EU Work-Life Balance Directive is important because it creates a friendlier and more acceptable environment for workers, as they spend much of their day at work. It is also important for employers in order to have a continuity and stability of their work, as this helps to create stability of the company as well.“ Veliu said.

Last year, on November 3, Drugëza  undertook an awareness campaign for the implementation of the EU Directive.  This organization held a meeting with 15 representatives of civil society organizations in Skenderaj,  within the framework of the initiative “Creating friendly workplace”, supported by the 15th round of the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF), and financed the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) through KWN’s “More Choices: Gender Responsive Family Policy for the Private Sector in the Western Balkans and Moldova” funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of the Austrian Cooperation Agency.

Read HERE more about this activity.

READ ALSO: Kosovo Women’s Fund Allocates €109,312 for 23 Organizations in Kosovo. You can read more about that HERE.

KWN Holds a Workshop on Healthcare Rights with Its Member Organizations

The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) on the 15th of February, held a workshop with the representatives of member organizations, on health care rights and the implementation mechanisms.

This workshop was led by Besim Kodra, lawyer and health expert, who informed the present organizations more about human rights on health care and the mechanisms for handling complaints in health care.

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“Every citizen has the right for equal access to health services without any discrimination” said Kodra.

“Patients should be encouraged to give a feedback on the provided health services,” he added.

During the workshop, special focus was placed on the patient’s rights and responsibilities, the patient’s rights to report a complaint as well as the ways of resolving the complaint and potential conclusions.

Whereas, Elvana Gojani, Coordinator of the K10 Coalition, Action Foundation for Mothers and Children, assessed this workshop as very useful for informing every citizen about their rights.

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“I am glad that you have taken this initiative, not many citizens are informed about their rights in health care. Today I learned a lot from this workshop which steps I should follow for a better service”, said Gojani.

The workshop ended with a discussion about the complaint mechanisms and the free telephone line for citizens’ complaints in providing health services.

 “Women’s Rights to Healthcare” is one of KWN’s core programs, through which we, along with member organizations, work to increase women’s access to quality and affordable health care.

This workshop is funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and co-funded by the International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

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Gender-Based Discrimination and Labour in Serbia Report Launched

The report Gender-Based Discrimination and Labour in Serbia was launched today, 23 Feb., in an online event organised by The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation (Kvinna till Kvinna).

This report examines gender-based discrimination and labour, as part of a regional initiative to address such discrimination in six Western Balkan countries. The research indicates that sexual harassment in labour in Serbia continues to be a serious problem, particularly affecting women.  The report provides information about shortcomings in the relevant legal framework; 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.

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The Head of Operations at the European Union (EU) Delegation to Serbia, Leonetta Pajer, provided opening statements for the event, in which she observed that women are disadvantaged compared to men in almost all spheres and that the gender gap persists on most labour market indicators. She said that the EU’s new Action Plan on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in External Action 2021–2025 (GAPIII) adopted at the end of 2020, sets out an ambitious agenda to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment through all external action of the EU.

“Therefore, I hope that the results of the research report will raise awareness and improve the knowledge of the general population on issues of gender-based discrimination in the labour market, especially for more vulnerable groups that are marginalised in Serbian society,” she said.

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Sofija Vrbaški, Project Coordinator at Kvinna till Kvinna, presented the research findings, which show that gender-based discrimination persists, particularly in hiring, promotion, maternity leave and sexual harassment at work. Regarding promotion, every tenth woman respondent was denied a promotion due to gender, compared to only one man respondent. Survey findings suggest that gender-based discrimination particularly affects women working in the private sector.

Meanwhile, low reporting rates continue to pose a challenge for addressing gender-based discrimination in labour. According to the report, the courts still have little judicial practice, and few judges seemed knowledgeable regarding the relevant legal framework.

Vrbaški observed the key role that civil society has played and should continue playing in addressing rights violations. “The support has to be there. It has to be continued in the long-term, certainly beyond this program,” she said.

To contextualise the findings, Nicole Farnsworth, Programme Director and Lead Researcher at the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) presented the initial regional research findings. She noted that important progress has been made since the first edition of this report in 2019, though progress is mixed across countries. Still, a third of the survey respondents said they had experienced some form of labour-related gender-based discrimination (36% of women and 18% of men).​

“Gender-based discrimination in hiring remains widespread, having affected two-thirds of respondents who attended [job] interviews since 2018.​ More women than men were asked about their marital status, plans to marry, children or plans to have children.​ More women faced discrimination in promotion.​ Statistical data show that the gender pay gap persists across the region,” she said. ​ Moreover, “several countries do not sufficiently protect victims from victimisation.”

Farnsworth said that KWN believes that the “triangle” of cooperation among government, civil society organisations (CSOs), the EU and other international actors can contribute to legal and institutional change. ​She also said that continued funding and engagement of CSOs is important for holding institutions accountable, providing legal aid and monitoring institutional response while assisting cases. ​

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During the presentation participants cited several good examples, including praising the Ombudsperson Institution, as trust in this institution seems to have increased.

Regarding legal aid provided to survivors of gender-based discrimination in labour through this regional Action, Sanja Ćopić, Researcher at the Victimology Society of Serbia, spoke about their experience providing legal aid to survivors of gender-based discrimination in labour, highlighting the importance of this work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The role of CSOs is very important in advocating women’s labour rights and their protection. Their role is very important in networking with different stakeholders, from civil society organisations to different institutions and labour unions, and I think that through this networking maybe we can do something to improve the situation in the labour market,” she said.

The event was moderated by Tamara Šmidling, Programme Officer at the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation.

The research was funded by the EU and co-funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. The research has been done in the framework of the regional action of Empowering CSOs in Combatting Discrimination and Furthering Women’s Labour Rights.

Thanks to the Initiative of “Okarina e Runikut”, the Women of Skenderaj and Vushtrri Address their Needs to the Local Institutions

The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) member organization, Okarina e Runikut, held two advocacy meetings in the Municipality of Skenderaj, where participants discussed Gender Responsive Budgeting and the role of equal participation of women and girls in local government.

The first meeting was held with Ms. Besarta Meha-Ademi, the Director of Economic Development, Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Tourism, who provided support toward women’s participation in entrepreneurship.

About 20 participants discussed together about Gender Responsive Budgeting and the importance of supporting women and young women of this municipality.

Participant Ermira Hyseni, while appreciating this opportunity for conversation, raised the need for women to be informed about holding public hearings.

“The lack of information regarding the public hearings has left us behind, so we didn’t have the opportunity to ask for our needs to be in the work plan of the Directorates. Therefore, I request that this information to be announced in the official website of the Municipality, also through the local media”, she said, among other things.

Based on the requests arising from this meeting, the representatives of Okarina e Runikut submitted the Document with Recommendations for improving and strengthening the participation of women in local politics to the Chairperson of the Municipal Assembly, Adelina Spahiu,

Spahiu vowed that this document would be reviewed by municipal councilors and the executive.

In addition to this municipality, Fetije Smakaj from Okarina e Runikut also held a meeting in the Municipality of Vushtrri where she talked with members of the Municipal Assembly, activists and local organizations to promote women’s participation in politics and decision-making processes, as well as the importance of implementation of Gender Responsive Budgeting at the municipal level.

Assemblywoman Adelina Syla-Sadiku vowed to use her voice to promote Gender Responsive Budgeting. She also expressed her support for this initiative, as well as that she will share with women the opportunities to participate in public hearings.

Among other things, they talked about the local elections of 2021 in the Municipality of Vushtrri.

This initiative was made possible thanks to the support received from the European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo, through the KWN initiative “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics”.

KWN Informs Member Organizations on Legal Framework for Gender-Based Discrimination in Labor Market

On February 10th, The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) held a workshop through the Zoom platform with member organizations on the legal framework for gender-based discrimination in the labour market.

During this workshop, Adelina Tërshani, Project Coordinator, KWN,  informed the participants on the legal framework.

She emphasized that according to the main findings of the KWN’s research, “Gender-Based and Labour in Kosovo”, the legal framework is not harmonized and 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 Labor Law and that are in line with the EU directive,” she said.

While speaking about the legal framework on gender-based discrimination in the labor market, the 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.

Arjeta Maka from Gruaja Hyjnore, a member organization of KWN, mentioneda case of gender based discrimination where a pregnant woman was about to get fired during the pandemic by her employer. Gruaja Hyjnore helped this women and advised her on where to denounce the case.

The participants discussed the best forms of how to refer cases of gender-based discrimination.

KWN constantly strives to combat gender-based discrimination in the labour market.

For more information, see the KWN research report “Gender-Based Discrimination and Labour in Kosovo.”

This workshop is financed by the European Union and co-financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

#DiscriminationDoesntWork

WAI Drafts Its Three-Year Strategy: Prioritizing Gender-Based Violence

The member organization of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), Women’s Alliance for Integration (WAI), from February 11-13 held a three-day workshop in Prevalla, to write the organization’s strategy that will guide WAI work for the next three years.

Participants were various human rights organizations, especially organizations working to advance the rights of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities. A total of 17 participants jointly discussed the main problems faced by these communities and based on this set the objectives and goals of the WAI for this time period.

Refki Morina, the expert working on WAI strategy, expressed his satisfaction with the workshop, considering that by consulting community activists this organization can benefit to identify its focus.

“Compiling a strategic plan is impossible and meaningless without the contribution of the participants in the planning workshop. It’s important for organizations to create a clear purpose and to be able to decide for themselves on their activities, based on the needs of those affected by this work.” he said.

After the discusing the problems and challenges, all agreed that the war on gender based violencer, especially in the comitinites of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian is a big social problem, as it is not reported enough, and should be prioritized.

As a result, WAI plans to work on raising awareness and helping women and young people to increase reporting against violence, as well as on the reintegration of violence survivors.

In the field of economic empowerment, the employment of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities remains a major challenge for society as a whole, a point at which WAI plans to work with Vocational Training Centers. WAI will also be advocating to the institutions for the right of inheritance of the above mentioned communities.

From this workshop, it emerged that the areas in which WAI will work for the next three years are:

1. Combating gender-based violence;

2. Economic empowerment of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian women and youth;

3. Improving the right to education and health for Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian women and youth; and

4. Capacity building of the organization.

This workshop was made possible thanks to the organizational support received from the 16th round of the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), funded by the Sigrid Rausing Trust.

Women and girls with disabilities are informed about their reproductive health

During the three months of implementation of the initiative “Reproductive health and sexual education of women and girls with disabilities in the municipality of Mitrovica“, Handikos Mitrovica held trainings, film screenings and various debates in order to improve the knowledge and capacities of girls and women with disabilities over their rights to health care.

From October till December 2021, Handikos Mitrovica held two trainings, two film screenings, an open discussion and an activity in public space, with the members of the organization in order to raise awareness of girls and women with disabilities on reproductive health, sex education and the differences between gender and sex.

“Sexually Transmitted Infections and their Prevention”, “Prevention of Early Pregnancy” and “Access to Health Institutions and Sexual Health Information” were some of the topics covered during the five-day training with young women.

“These trainings are a good opportunity to get a lot of knowledge about our health”, said one of the participants in this training.

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In November 2021, as part of this initiative, Handikos Mitrovica held screenings of two films with over 40 participants. After the screening, a debate was held with relevant institutions on access to health services for people with disabilities in this municipality.

Myrvete Hasani, Director of Handikos Mitrovica, Dr. Luljeta Zhubi Director of Mitrovica Hospital and Dr. Sanije Klinaku-Nimoni from the Main Family Medicine Center in Mitrovica were panelists during this debate.

Awareness raising was considered as one of the key pillars for guaranteeing social and institutional support for people with disabilities.

A total of 50 women and girls from the city of Mitrovica and the villages of the city, including Zhabar, Koshtovë, Çabër, Bajr, directly benefited from the organized activities. However, the number of indirect beneficiaries, through film screenings and open discussions, reaches 100.

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Klinaku-Nimoni pledged that MFMC will work to improve conditions for people with disabilities.

“The Main Family Medicine Center in Mitrovica has engaged mobile teams for care and health checks for people who do not have the opportunity to go to the relevant institutions to perform them,” she said, among other things.

This initiative is supported by the 15th round of the Kosovo Women’s Fund and funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) with co-financing from the Swedish International Cooperation and Development Agency (Sida), through the Swedish Embassy in Pristina, as part of the KWN’s “Further Advancing Women’s Rights in Kosovo II” initiative.

ShMAKS Advocates for the Improvement of Reproductive Care for Women and Girls

During February, Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) member organization, The Kosovo Midwifery Association (SHMAKS), has continued the activities undertaken as part of the initiative “Improving reproductive healthcare of women and girls”, supported by the 15th round Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF). 

On February 3, Magbule Elezi, Excecutive Director of SHMAKS, met with the Chairperson of Committee on Health, labour and social Welfare, Fatmire Mulhaxha-Kollçaku, to discuss the reproductive health of women and girls, as well as the role and importance of midwives in improving reproductive health in Kosovo. 

During this discussion they also talked about the current situation of maternity hospitals in Kosovo. 

Whereas, on February 14, Elezi met with the Edona Hajrullahu, Deputy Ombudsperson. In this meeting, Hajrullahu expressed the commitment of the Ombudsperson Institution to help the initiatives of SHMAKS towards strengthening the role of midwives in the health system. 

“Despite all general progress, the access to a quality basic, reproductive and gynecological health care remains limited in Kosovo. Every citizen has the right to equal access to health services, and we as their servants must be committed to improving the health system and being closer to them in order to receive the necessary services in the places where they live. “, said Elezi. 

These meetings were held in the framework of the “Improving reproductive healthcare of women and girls”, supported by the 15th round Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) and funded by the European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo. 

Shqiponjat e Dardanës Successfully Concludes the Initiative to Support Women in Politics at the Local Level

On February 11, the member organization of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), Shqiponjat e Dardanës, held a roundtable to conclude its five-month initiative “Supporting women candidates for municipal assembly and raising awareness of rural women and girls about the role of their vote”, supported by the 15th round of the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF).

Havushe Bunjaku, Executive Director of the organization, opened the discussion thanking KWN for supporting this initiative, adding that without KWN’s logistic and financial assistance, this initiative would not have been possible.

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Further, she has shared the experience gained from the field during this period.

“During these months, we have asked women voters to vote for at least one woman candidate, this is something we, together with KWN, have lobbied for. We must add that these women then advocated to their families and society for the reasons and importance of having more women in decision making positions,” said Bunjaku.

She also recalled that after the results of the local elections of October 2021, the representatives of the organization “Shqiponjat e Dardanës” have discussed with the assembly members about what hinders them and how they can raise their voice together for interests. of women and girls.

Hasan Luma, Gender Equality Officer in Lipjan Municipality, has promised support from municipal institutions for advancing the position of women in politics and decision-making in the local level.

“I have seen the progress and work of all parties for the development and advancement the position of women. However, the role of non-governmental organizations is very significant and it motivates women, especially those in rural areas, to take part in decision-making. Political parties are obliged to promote it, on the other hand you, women’s rights organizations, have a special role to push women to be an integral part of decision-making in the municipality,” he said.

Gjyste Dabaj, Human Rights Officer in Lipjan Municipality, also thanked KWN.

“We have to demand our rights, we have to demand that we, with our strength and skills, women are capable in business and politics. KWN has made a significant contribution to awareness and capacity building.”

Among the recommendations gathered from this roundtable are:

• Work towards the implementation of the Law on Gender Equality at the local level;

• Establish incentive mechanisms to increase women’s participation in politics at the local level;

• Establish village councilors headed by women.

Throughout this initiative, Shqiponjat e Dardanës has held meetings with women and girls from various villages in the municipality of Lipjan and Gracanica to advocate for the support of candidates in local elections, as well as to raise the awareness of women and girls from rural areas for the role of their vote.

This initiative was made possible thanks to the support received from the Kosovo Women’s Fund, with funding from the European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo.

IPVK Meets With The Mayor of Prishtina Përparim Rama

On February 9, representatives of the Independent Initiative for Blind People (IPVK), a member organization of KWN, met with the Mayor of Prishtina, Përparim Rama, where they discussed the importance of including the interests of the blind in the services of public institutions.

Among other things, during this meeting it was also discussed the importance of inclusion of the needs of the blind and the visually impaired people in the urban planning of the capital city.

The Mayor Rama pledged to work towards improving the lives of blind citizens and their access to public spaces and institutions.

In addition to the issue of improving infrastructure in order to move around the city independently, in this meeting it was also discussed employment opportunities for members of the blind community in public institutions.

This meeting was held in the framework of the initiative “Access of people with disabilities to public services”, supported by the 15th round of the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF), funded by the European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo.