Kosovo Women's Network

KWN and UNFPA Launch Report “More Choices Through Family-Friendly Policies”

04.10.2021

The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), on September 21 launched the report “Expanding Choices through Family-Friendly Policies”, which reflects the extent to which Kosovo has harmonized the framework with the European Union (EU) Work-Life Balance Directive.

This directive entered into force in 2019 and its main aspects deal with paternity leave, parental leave, care leave, as well as work flexibility for parents and carers.

The report addresses the impact that the Directive will have on the legal framework in Kosovo, given Kosovo’s obligations to harmonize its legislation with that of the EU, in accordance with the Stabilization and Association Agreement.

The report launching involved a group of experts who discussed the possibility of implementing the recommendations in Kosovo, especially in relation to the ongoing revisions to the Labor Law.

Leunora Ahmeti-Zylfijaj, Head of the Division for Labour Relations, Social Dialogue, Safety and Health at Work, Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers explained the process of amending the Labour Law and opportunities for harmonizing it with the Work-Life Balance Directive.

“As for the directive for which the analytical report was made, at that time we received recommendations from experts that Kosovo should be prepared for a new directive, that will enter into force in the near future. We can say that at the current stage we have only transposed the main part of the directive into the Labour Law. However, we are still working on changing some parts of it, especially regarding the duration of temporary contracts. But, with the cooperation of civil society and their contribution, we will also include the necessary parts.”

Ahmeti-Zylfijaj stressed the Ministry’s interest in continuing cooperation with civil society during the process of finalizing the Labour Law.

Syzana Bytyqi Jagxhiu, Policy Officer, Education, Social Policies and Employment at the European Union Office in Kosovo encouraged the government to consider the report recommendations as they continue to work on the Labour Law. “I think it is a very good initiative given the situation of women in Kosovo,” she said. “The current law is implemented only in the public sector and it is good to take into account the recommendations and introduce them in the law before the Labour Law is approved.”

Further, Saxhide Mustafa, Coordinator of the Women’s Economic Forum, discussed the Forum’s contribution to prior policy discussions and gave recommendations for harmonizing the current law with that of the EU.

“There should be a balance of parental leave compensation and the burden should be removed from the private sector and transferred to the government. The government is opposing this, but I think that with some analysis they should reflect on this reality. We have to keep in mind that we have a workforce, and we have to see how to activate women in the labour market,” she said.

Offering a perspective from the private sector, Era Jashari, Adviser on PR, International Relations & Service Development at the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce emphasized the importance of the report recommendations being specified in employment contracts. According to her, the recommendations should be specified in the contracts and protected by law.

The transposition of this directive with the laws of Kosovo during the EU membership process directly contributes to improving the low participation of women in the labour force in Kosovo, given that only two in ten women are currently employed. It also helps fathers to play a greater role in children’s lives, and all of this helps transform traditional gender roles and relationships into a more equal society.

The author of the report, also a legal expert, David JJ Ryan presented the main recommendations of the report, which are the following:

Increase paternity leave (minimum ten days).
Provide parental leave for all parents (minimum four months).
Ensure high wage replacement rates to achieve uptake amongst men.
Consider financing family-related leave through a collective finance scheme to secure a fairer distribution of costs.
Extend equal entitlements to all types of families.
Introduce the right to carers’ leave (minimum five days).
Develop flexible working arrangements for parent and carers.

KWN and UNFPA wrote this report with financial support from the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of the Austrian Development Cooperation.

The full report will be published soon on KWN’s website, in Albanian, English and Serbian.

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence? 

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence

“Ruka Ruci” Holds a Workshop Calling for Voting More Women in the Elections

04.10.2021

On September 29, a member organisation of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN),”Ruka Ruci” (Eng: Hand to hand) held the online workshop: “Whichever list you choose, vote for a woman”, within the four-year-long initiative “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics”, supported by the European Union (EU) Office in Kosova.

This workshop, held in the run-up to local elections in Kosovo, was attended by activists and representatives of organisations in Serb-majority municipalities in Kosova, which aim to strengthen women’s role in politics.

The Project Coordinator, Nevenka Rikalo, mentioned that the activities of this initiative, which is in its third year of implementation, have helped increase the capacity of women to engage in politics.

“We have worked with assembly members and other women. Women’s journey in politics is not easy, because of the patriarchal attitude of society,” she said.

Furthermore, the workshop moderator and activist Radmila Kapetanović called on women to have self-confidence and to communicate assertively.

“Women are more suitable for the community, but unfortunately gender roles are still valid. “Therefore, in this election, both women and men should support women to take positions”.

While activist Pravda Božović emphasised the reasons why voters should circle the names of women on the ballot.

“Women are more eloquent and powerful. Despite this, they still have difficulty reaching positions, especially those competing for the first time. For this reason, they need support”, she said.

Participants greatly appreciated the opportunity to discuss together their concerns and the opportunities for cooperation towards advancing women’s participation in politics.

You can read more about the initiative “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics” HERE.

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence? 

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence

Kosovo Women’s Fund Allocates Additional €49,673 for 11 Organizations in Kosovo

27.09.2021

Today, 27 September, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) officially announced grant awards for additional 11 beneficiary organizations in Kosovo, provided through the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF), amounting €158,985 in total. The Austrian Development Agency (ADA) provided support via KWN’s “Further Advancing Women’s Rights in Kosovo II”, co-funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) through the Embassy of Sweden in Prishtina in the amount of €49,673.

Through this round, the European Union Office in Kosovo has also provided support via KWN’s initiative “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics” in the amount of €90,733; as well as the United Nations Population Fund in Kosovo (UNFPA) has provided funding via KWN’s initiative “Expanding Choices: Gender-Responsive Family Policies for the Private Sector in the Western Balkans and Moldova”, financed by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation in the amount of €18,579.

These initiatives will directly contribute to the implementation of the current KWN Strategy for 2019-2022, which was drafted together with KWN members.

KWF grant beneficiaries supported by ADA, co-funded by the Embassy of Sweden in Prishtina are:

Gruaja Hyjnore with the initiative: “Sexual education as a subject in primary and secondary schools” (€4,974)
Humanus Vita with the initiative: “Raising awareness among youth about sexual harassment and assaults and the importance of early reporting” (€4,754)
Center for the Promotion of Women’s Rights with the initiative: “Psychosocial services for women who experienced sexual violence during the war in Kosovo” (€4,006)
Handikos Mitrovica with the initiative: “Reproductive health and sex education for women and girls with disabilities in the municipality of Mitrovica” (€4,432)
Women’s Association Jeta with the initiative: “Empowering women and youth to prevent gender-based violence in line with the Istanbul Convention” (€4,846)
Women’s Association Ura Sociale with the initiative: “Raising awareness for prevention of sexual harassment” (€4,317)
Instituti i Psikologjisë Aplikativewith the initiative: “Supporting teenage girls overcome social and emotional problems” (€4,188)
Norma Lawyers Association with the initiative: “Learn and act, for a life free of gender-based violence” (€4,970)
Women’s Center ATO with the initiative: “Reproductive health education” (€4,552)
Women’s Association Gruaja Fermere with the initiative: “Sexual education for youth” (€3,705)
Zensko Pravo with the initiative: “Prevention of violence against women in northern Kosovo” (€4,927)

KWF has awarded a total of 34 grants in this round. Read HERE the announcement of 23 grant beneficiaries supported by the EU and UNFPA.

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 and gender equality, prioritising funding for groups working in rural areas and/or marginalized persons. Since 2012, KWF has allocated 227 grants, supporting 122 organizations, with a total amount of €1,170,452. In 2021, KWF receives support from the European Union, ADA, Sida, UNFPA, and the Sigrid Rausing Trust.

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

KFOR Members Host a Fundraising Event for KWN

22.09.2021

On September 5, at KFOR head office in Kosova, KFOR members organised a charity event to raise fund for the Kosova Women’s Network (KWN).

A few days later, on September 22, the official fund handover took place, on which occasion, KFOR members visited KWN’s office and saw the work and activities closely.

On this instance, KWN thanked KFOR members for joining them in the journey toward creating a society where women and men are equal and have equal opportunities in every walk of life.

3,692€ raised during this activity, will go to KWN Sustainability Fund which helps cover basic expenses, and support important programmes for gender equality in Kosova.

This VIDEO shows the key moments of the fund’s handover ceremony.

On the other hand, during October, KWN will publish an interview with the KFOR member, Sarah Alexandra George, discussing the event in more depth.

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence? 

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence

Vienna Master Students appreciate KWN’s work

14.09.2021

On September 14, a group of students of Applied Human Rights Master from University of Applied Arts Vienna met with Adelina Berisha, Manager for Addressing Gender Based Violence, Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN).

Berisha informed the students about KWN’s work ever since its establishment in 1996. A particular focus on this meeting was put on long-standing activities to combat gender-based violence.

She highlighted the last research report launched by KWN, “From Laws to Action”, which assesses the extent to which Kosovo’s legal framework has been aligned with the Istanbul Convention, ratified by the Assembly of Kosovo last year; and responsible institutions’ implementation of the relevant legal framework for addressing gender-based violence, including the National Strategy on Protection from Domestic Violence and Action Plan (2016-2020).

The students appreciated the meeting, seeing it as a valuable experience and a wonderful opportunity to closely understand KWN’s work.

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence? 

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence

Kosovo Women’s Fund Allocates €109,312 for 23 Organizations in Kosovo

13.09.2021

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Today, 13 September, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) officially announced grant awards for 23 beneficiary organizations in Kosovo, provided through the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF), amounting €109,312€ in total. The European Union Office in Kosovo supported these grants via KWN’s initiative “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics” in the amount of €90,733; and the United Nations Population Fund in Kosovo (UNFPA) provided funding via KWN’s initiative “Expanding Choices: Gender-Responsive Family Policies for the Private Sector in the Western Balkans and Moldova”, financed by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation in the amount of €18,579.

These initiatives will directly contribute to the implementation of the current KWN Strategy for 2019-2022, which was drafted together with KWN members.

KWF grant beneficiaries supported by the European Union Office in Kosovo include:

Partners Kosova with the initiative: “Women make the change” (€5,000)
Down Syndrome Kosova with the initiative: “Involving persons with disabilities in decision-making” (€5,000)
Women’s Association “Me Dorë në Zemër” with the initiative: “Empowering the role of women in public processes, as a guarantee for good governance” (€4,967)
Nas Dom with the initiative: “Feminism for beginners” (€4,998)
Women’s Association Aureola with the initiative: “Increasing women’s participation in decision-making” (€4,999)
Art Without Limits with the initiative: “Empowering persons with disabilities through art” (€4,984)
Youth Association for Human Rights with the initiative: “Achieving gender equality in decision-making” (€4,923)
In Time with the initiative: “Improving women’s participation in politics and decision-making processes towards women’s economic empowerment” (€4,866)
Minority Community Center with the initiative: “I have the right to be informed!” (€5,000)
Moravski Biser with the initiative: “Involvement of women from rural areas in public and political life” (€4,767)
Glas Zena Partes with the initiative: “Involvement of women in decision-making processes at local level in the municipality of Partes” (€3,640)
The Kosovo Midwifery Association with the initiative: “Improving reproductive healthcare of women and girls” (€4,987)
Shqiponjat e Dardanës with the initiative: “Supporting women candidates for municipal assembly and raising awareness of rural women and girls about the role of their vote” (€4,895)
Vizionida with the initiative: “Promotion of women in politics and decision making in the Municipality of Shtime” (€3,795)
Jeto Vepro dhe Krijo with the initiative: “Promoting and supporting women and girls to participate in decision-making” (€4,993)
Independent Initiative for Blind Peoplewith the initiative: “Access of people with disabilities to public services” (€4,992)
Okarina e Runikut with the initiative: “Women’s Empowerment in Politics and Decision Making” (€4,951)
Era Fruit with the initiative: “Empowerment through higher representation of women in local politics” (€4,997)
Svet Andjela with the initiative: “Increasing women’s participation in the electoral process” (€3,975)

Beneficiaries supported by UNFPA include:

Business Women Mitrovica with the initiative: “Promoting employment through family-friendly workplace” (€4,537)
Women’s Association Drugëza with the initiative: “Empowering women in business, a good practice of promoting gender equality” (€4,530)
Organization for Local Reforms – EULOC with the initiative: “Promoting family friendly policies and workplaces in municipality of Vitia” (€4,512)
Lipjan Youth Centre with the initiative: “Promoting family friendly policies at the local level” (€4,999).

Through this round, the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) will also provide support via KWN’s “Further Advancing Women’s Rights in Kosovo II” co-funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), in the amount of around € 50,000. We will announce beneficiaries of these grants in the coming days.

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 and gender equality, prioritising funding for groups working in rural areas and/or marginalized persons. Since 2012, KWF has allocated 216 grants, supporting 111 organizations, with a total amount of € 1,120,779€. In 2021, KWF receives support from the European Union, ADA, Sida, UNFPA, Sigrid Rausing Trust and the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation.

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

KWN Holds its Third Membership Meeting for 2021

06.09.2021

On September 6, about 80 participants came together to discuss at the third meeting of members of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) for this year.

Executive Director of KWN, Igballe Rogova, initially emphasised the importance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19, hoping that future meetings will be held with physical presence.

Rogova also mentioned that even in these local elections, KWN will continue the campaign to call on for more votes for women.

“As we have agreed upon, we will again continue the door-to-door campaign, through which, together with our members, we will call on citizens to vote for more women in the local elections scheduled for next month”, she said.

Rogova also emphasized the murder of the 18-year-old M.O. by her husband, and recalled that KWN will continue to seek justice for this murder, as well as for any other femicide case.

[Read HERE KWN’s response to this case, whereas HERE you can read about the KWN protest organised in Ferizaj, to seek justice for this case].

After this, Gentiana Murati, Grant Manager at KWN, informed the participants about the 16^thround of the Kosovo Women’s Fund, which for the first time offers core support to member organisations.

“Our research Where is the money for women’s rights shows that core support enables women’s organisation to focus more on influencing, rather than surviving. KWN has long wanted to offer core support for its members, but was unable to do this due to financial limitations. Now, through support of Sigrid Rausing Trust, KWN will provide this support to eight or more member organisations”, Murati said.

Further, Rita Berisha, Project Coordinator at KWF, informed the members about the importance of core support to empower organisations that try to achieve gender equality in Kosovo.

“We invite you to browse this call, and to consult us for anything you feel we could be of help. KWN is pleased to announce today that we will provide core support for you – support that will greatly assist you in your work and implementation of your strategies, because they are not just funds allocated for one project, but for every expense that your organization might have, and until today you have had it more difficult to meet”, said Berisha.

KWN members highly appreciated this opportunity to receive the support they need to further advance their strategies, toward improving the lives of young women and women in Kosovo.

This meeting was supported by the European Union office in Kosovo (EU), through the four-year initiative “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics”, about which you can read more HERE.

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence? 

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence

Kosovo Women’s Fund Announces Core Support!

06.09.2021

With great pleasure, today the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) announced that, for the first time, the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) will proudly provide “core” support to KWN member organisations.

What is core support?

Core support, also sometimes referred to as general budget support, organizational support, or unrestricted or untied funding, is a form of flexible funding given to enable an organisation to realize its overall strategy and aims. It differs from funding provided through a project, which must be used only for specific, set objectives and activities (often referred to as ‘tied funding’ because it is ‘tied’ to a certain activity and cannot be used for other purposes). Rather than making an organisation follow a donor’s procedures and priorities, core support usually allows the organisation to use its own preferred procedures for auditing, procurement, and reporting. Core supports focuses on the results achieved. Thus, core support contributes to any costs that an organisation has, towards realizing its strategic aims.

Why core support?

There are several reasons why KWN believes core support is important:

KWN trusts activists: We believe that women’s rights activists are best placed to know their communities’ needs and priorities. Therefore, they should make decisions on how to spend funds.
Focused on priorities: We believe core support rightfully provides member organisations with more control over how funds are used, ensuring that funds reach thematic areas, geographic regions, and groups most in need.
Sustainability and capacity-building: Core support allows organisations to strengthen their internal capacities and enhance their staff’s capacities. This enables them to enact more long-term changes in their communities, rather than ad hoc activities. It also enables them to build their organisational capacities and systems for the future, towards more sustainable work.
Flexibility: Core support provides member organisations with the flexibility to pursue their own priorities and reduces the administrative workload associated with specific donor requirements. Core support can adapt quicky and easily to shifting situations.
Mission-driven, independence: Core support enables organisations to strategize independently and be less donor-driven.

Deeper impact: Our research shows that core support allows women’s rights civil society organisations to focus on impact, rather than mere survival. The time spent seeking to secure fragmented funds for basic operations, and reporting on the use of various piecemeal funds, takes time away from their important work towards social change. Ensuring basic costs and needs are covered enables organisations to focus on making impactful changes.

Considering the benefits that core support brings activists, women’s rights organisations, and feminist movements, KWN has continually advocated for funders to allocate more funds for core support. KWN has long wanted to provide core support to its members but has struggled given its own funding limitations. Now, through the generous support of the Sigrid Rausing Trust ( >€78,000), KWN plans to distribute at least €78,000 to eight or more KWN member organisations this November.

KWN members can submit applications until 4 October 2021, following the guidelines on the KWN website. Funding decisions will be made by KWF Grants Review Committee, elected by KWN members.

Please click HERE to access the documents required for applying.

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence? 

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence

Officials Discuss Municipal Needs for Implementing Gender-responsive Budgeting during Report Launching

03.09.2021

Today UN Women launched a report Capacity and Skills Development needs on Gender Mainstreaming, GRB, and Gender Responsive COVID-19 Interventions at the Local Government Level in Kosovo, prepared by IDRA. Key stakeholders participated, including Edi Gusia from the Agency for Gender Equality (AGE) in the Office of the Prime Minister who spoke about important allocations for gender equality and the urgency of institutionalising gender budgeting; Salvador Elmazi, Budget Director from the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers (MFLT) who emphasized that gender budgeting is a legal obligation and requested within budget circulars; Sazan Ibrahimi, Director of the Association of Municipalities of Kosovo; and municipal officials who showcased best practices in Kamenica and Gjakova. The event was hosted by Vlora Nushi, Head of UN Women in Kosovo, supported by Sida.

On behalf of KWN, Nicole Farnsworth presented key recommendations that have arisen from KWN’s research and monitoring of institutions’ implementation of their legal obligations related to implementing gender-responsive budgeting in Kosovo. KWN’s main recommendations included:

AGE and MFLT must urgently finalize the draft Concept Document for Gender-responsive Budgeting in Kosovo, introducing it systematically into Kosovo’s public finance management system as obligatory.
Municipalities should undertake gender analyses, as per the Law on Gender Equality, best practices in gender-responsive budgeting, and budget circulars. They should use these to inform budget planning and implementation, establishing objectives and indicators towards furthering gender equality in every sector. This is not relevant only to a budget line for gender equality officers or shelters, though these are important. Additionally, furthering gender equality must be integrated into every sector, including the environment, transport, sports, culture, and infrastructure investments, among others. KWN’s Practical Guide explains how this is possible.
MFLT needs to better control budget proposals, ensuring budget organizations submit the requested gender-responsive budgeting annex and that it is of sufficient quality. They can turn back budget requests if the annex is not submitted or done properly.
Municipalities need to budget for furthering the capacities of finance officers in gender-responsive budgeting by allocating funds for officers to attend the already-established training curriculum on this provided by the Kosovo Institute for Public Administration (KIPA). This should be followed by mentoring during the budget process until officers fully understand how to undertake gender-responsive budgeting.

Based on its research, KWN has made several other recommendations for municipalities to consider for their 2022 budgets, towards furthering gender equality, available here.

KWN has been engaged in gender-responsive budgeting since 2011, including supporting KIPA and AGE in developing the curriculum on gender-responsive budgeting. KWN is part of the Gender Budget Watchdog Network, through which civil society organizations are monitoring and supporting government efforts to institutionalize gender-responsive budgeting in the Western Balkans and Moldova.

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence? 

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence

Demolli: Decades of Activism have shown us that Women’s Unity is a Value Challenging the Surrounding Reality

30.08.2021

This month, KWN brings the profile of a women’s rights activist, Executive Director of the Kosovar Gender Studies Centre (KGSC), Luljeta Demolli. 

Since 2004, Demolli has been involved as a researcher, manager and then Director of KGSC - a journey and activism which, according to her was built undoubtedly by feminist ethics and education. 

In this conversation with KWN, Demolli talks about her work as an activist, engagement in KGSC, as well as the important cooperation between KGSC and KWN to strengthen the feminist movement in Kosovo –in more than a single direction.  

KGSC Background 

KGSC, as an organization whose mission is gender mainstreaming in all analyses, programs and policies of all sectors of Kosovo society, has been vocal since its establishment at the central and local level, in the feminist contextualized knowledge production, documenting the history of women’s political activism, and promoting feminist activism among the younger generations. 

“The missions of organizations such as KGSC, besides being vital to the development of a social dialogue between women and activists, are also to change the political status quo which goes to the detriment of women and other underprivileged groups,” said Demolli at the beginning of the interview with KWN. 

KGSC, also a member organization of KWN, has played a vital role in promoting women’s rights and gender equality, and has been and remains a defender of the women’s movement, despite challenges which have been expected considering the prevailing patriarchal culture and institutions. 

“We have created an address which, in addition to welcoming activists, also encourages and promotes feminist thinking, solidarity and political commitment to change the socio-economic and political situation of women.” 

Whereas, while talking on a personal level as an activist, Demolli considers that this experience, besides challenging her, has also shaped her even more as a feminist. 

KGSC and KWN: Together for Women’s Rights 

In this part, Demolli gives special importance to the cooperation and advocacy that were undertaken over the years together with KWN. 

She mentions some of them. 

“As a member of KWN for many years, we have joined in some very important initiatives for the country. One of them I would like to share in this article is advocating for parental leave 50/50 within the Labour Law. This activity has lasted for years and we still continue to advocate together. We collaborated on many other gender equality issues, which has strengthened our role in advancing women’s rights and the recognition of these issues by local and national authorities.” 

She recalls that KGSC and KWN stand as key actors in combating discrimination against women and girls in the country. 

This cooperation so far, she trusts, is giving signals that both organizations should focus cooperation on strategies to respond more to taboo topics that affect women’s rights. This no matter how challenging these topics will be in Kosovo.  

Among these topics are; sexual harassment, gender selective abortion, sexual assault - with particular emphasis on 13-15-year-old girls. 

According to Demolli, another dimension that should be more and more internalized within the feminist causes, both at the level of organizations and the movement, is LGBTI + persons 

As a last point, as part of the “Advancing Women’s Rights at the Workplace” initiative, KWN supported KGSC to implement the “Preventing Any Form of Discrimination at the Workplace” initiative. Finally  

She claims that this initiative, besides enabling them to deepen research on the position of women in the economy, has also provided them with possibility to continue and advance advocacy with institutions. 

“These interventions, among others, have contributed to cooperating with other institutions and organizations that deal with similar issues and to coordinate activities and work in order to advance the situation in the field for women in the labour market.” 

Decades of Activism have shown us that Women’s Unity is a Value Challenging the Surrounding Reality

Recalling the accomplishments made by women’s rights organizations, Demolli emphasizes those issues that remain the fundamental difficulties for women in Kosovo. 

“We as KGSC bring two key challenges, the slow pace of law implementation and the significant presence of violence against women and sexual harassment,” she added. 

In conclusion to this article, Demolli says that two decades of activism and work have shown that unity among women is valuable against the reality that surrounds us.  

“We should not deal with who is “more “or “less “of a feminist. We have to ask if our goals are useful to our feminist cause.” she says.  

*This article follows a series of KWN publications on the work and contribution of human rights activists in Kosovo.    

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