Handikos Mitrovica Successfully Completes Their Initiative On Reproductive Health Of Women With Disabilities

11.01.2022

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.

During October and November 2021, Handikos Mitrovica held two trainings with members of the organization for the awareness of young women and women with disabilities on reproductive health, sex education, as well as on 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.

In December 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.

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.

READ ALSO: “Handikos Mitrovica” Holds Training On Reproductive Health

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

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KWN Demands Maximum Sentence for the Murder of the Woman by her Husband in Llausha

05.01.2022

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The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) with deep concern has followed the report made today by the media regarding the murder of a 48 years old woman with the initials L.Q., by her husband S.Q, .51 years old, in Llausha of Skenderaj.

Seeing that murder cases of women by their husbands are on the rise, KWN urges institutions to take such cases with increasing seriousness by all justice bodies such as the Police, Prosecution, and Courts.

This case only reveals and reminds us once again of the institutional shortcomings in the proper treatment of murders of women and femicide. One more woman got murdered in the country; murders of women are being accompanied with institutional silence, procrastination and low sentences.

Therefore, KWN requests an investigation of this case until the last trial and requests a maximum sentence against the murderer.

The successive murders of so many show that the actions and decisions of the judiciary are not effective in preventing the murder of women and these actions and decisions are only motivating the perpetrators even more, while demotivating women and girls to seek justice and to report cases of violence.

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08.11.24

Press Release – Recommendations for the Kosovo Parliament  

05.11.24

Response to Klan Kosova – Do Not Promote the Perpetrators

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Violence Against the Minor is Intolerable – KWN Calls for Justice and Immediate Action

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Letter to the Chairman of the Assembly of Kosovo, Glauk Konjufca

KVGK Trains Blind People on Spatial Skills

05.01.2022

Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) member organizations are continuing their commitment to empowering the community of people with disabilities. In the wake of this effort, Blind Women of Kosova Committee (KGVK) held spatial learning and mobility training for 30 blind and visually impaired people.

Through these trainings, the participants were trained to perform their daily activities such as: using the white stick indoors and outdoors, overcoming obstacles, climbing stairs, opening the door, and others.

Trainer Shasime Xhaferi, thanking KWN for supporting these activities, said that the participants were very interested.

“I noticed love and willingness to learn how to use the white stick in both the theoretical and practical part of the training. Therefore, I tried to transmit my knowledge as best as possible to the participants “, she said.

Participant Betim Bregovina appreciates the knowledge gained in these trainings, and raises the need for more such activities.

“I did very well in training, but due to the ongoing challenges, I would like to have several months of training for us,” he said.

Even for the participant Mevlyde Emini the training was very useful.

“I am very pleased because our coach did her best to convey her knowledge as well as possible. Using the white stick is vital knowledge for us, and for our community it is an essential skill,” she said.

In addition to these trainings, the KGVK is working on audio-recording of the literature for the Psychology department at the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Prishtina, and will advocate for these recordings to be included as official documents of this faculty.

KGVK is carrying out these activities thanks to the organizational support received from the 16th round of the Kosovo Women’s Fund, funded by the Sigrid Rausing Trust.

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

Activist Shukrije Gashi: Despite the Difficulties, KWN Supported Women’s Empowerment in Various Fields

31.12.2021

Shukrije Gashi, Executive Director of Partners Kosova Center for Conflict Management (Partners K) concludes the list of activists that the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) has brought to readers this year.

Shukrije Gashi [or Shuki as her friends warmly call her] started her activism in difficult political circumstances, when Kosovo was not yet an independent state and human rights were subject to violation, whilst lately, during the 19th Annual Membership Meeting of KWN, she was honoured with the “Sevdije Ahmeti” Award, an award that KWN has been awarding for four years now in honour of the late activist Sevdije Ahmeti (1944-2016).

In this article, she talks about her activism, the cooperation she has had over the years with KWN, and the feminist movement over the decades.

Beginnings of Gashi’s Activism and her Challenges

At the beginning of our conversation, by describing the early period of activism, she reminds us that she grew up in a family known for its national activities and a will for gender equality.

“I have been known as a rebel since the elementary school benches, by writing essays against the regime of the time. The teacher of Albanian language, Ms. Gjylije Ibrani, on the occasion of handling my essay wherein instead of writing about the liberation day of Yugoslavia, I chose to write about the National Flag Day, and the way how Albanian women and girls were proudly celebrating it on the streets of Pristina. Since Ms. Ibrani was a great patriot, she did not report me to the Director; instead at the end of the class she kept me in classroom and proposed that I bring my father to have a talk with her. In my presence, they talked about the need for me not to take such actions so as not to harm either the teacher or the family.”

Gashi further states that at that time the opportunities to act or demonstrate a different opinion were very limited.

As a student at the Faculty of Law, she has been engaged in the Movement for the Republic of Kosovo within the Yugoslav Federation. Even then, Gashi often clashed with her peers and professors on the women’s rights.

“On April 26, 1983, I was imprisoned and sentenced to two years of imprisonment. Even while I was in prison, I never neglected my efforts for gender equality. On the contrary, I have strongly advocated that we girls and women prisoners should not waste our time, but prepare to make efforts to achieve the gender equality within the struggle for national equality, by becoming part of the Movements of the time.”, she recalls this event dating four decades ago.

She recalls a moment that she will never forget during the time in prison.

“When I was imprisoned, I wore a military shirt, in which I painted the portrait of singer Janis Joplin, an American rock star, performer and songwriter of rock and blues songs. She has been the symbol of my ideal. And when I was questioned by UDB (Serbian Secret Service) inspectors, they did not understand, in particular, the sarcasm of the message of her song “Mercedes Benz”? So, my activism has been profound and moulded with cultural and artistic knowledge. In addition to the national knowledge”

Gashi recalls that there are also many other similar situations. However, as shown in this article, Gashi, even after being imprisoned and facing challenges, did not give up, instead she continued decades of work and activism, by always carrying on her shoulders the features of a rebellious feminist.

Gender Equality Then and Today

Compared to today, she recalls, the movement for gender equality as a need, feeling and encouragement was much stronger then.

“There were women and girls as well as boys and men who supported the movement by finding forms such as the involvement of girls and women in the national movements of that time. I can freely say that the boys of that time “the comrades of the illegal movement” have been very careful and considerably involved in advocating for our engagement in the Movement, especially for creating equal space for women and girls in society.”

She assesses that unfortunately today, even though the circumstances and laws have changed and are in favour of the realization of women’s rights, “the approach is sometimes nuanced and retrograde and disadvantages women, which is reflected with severe gender-based violence and murder.”

The Value of Cooperation with KWN

During her journey for women’s rights, Gashi has collaborated with KWN for a long time and she has also been a member of the Board for a term. Today she highly appreciates the role of KWN and its members over the years in advancing for women’s rights.

“I have worked with KWN for a long time, since the establishment of the Network, because I have closely known the work and leadership, in particular Igo [Igballe Rogova, Executive Director of KWN]. I have also known many hardworking women and men over the years, including Ms. Sevdije Ahmeti and her work since 1987.

Later, she also got to know from close Sevdije Ahmeti’s collaborator, Vjosa Dobruna, who has together with Ahmeti made an extraordinary contribution to gender equality.

“There are also many other women, such as Aferdita Saraqini, Velentina Saraqini, Edita Tahiri, Hamide Latifi and many other women. Then, there are also other younger women of the 90s- Eli Krasniqi and Eli Gashi, and others.”

While speaking about the contribution of activists, Gashi says:

“I knew Igballe Rogova, together with the theatre actress, Safete Rogova and teacher Marta Prekpalaj, even before the last war in Kosovo; I know about the work which they have done for women and their education in Zymë i Hasit and the Hasjani population through the “Motrat Qiriazi” Association. She further highly appreciates the activism of Nicole Fransworth, KWN Program Director, Lead Researcher.

In this period, together with Mrs. Naxhije Buçinca, a long-time activist of the LDK Women’s Forum, Ms. Xheraldina Vula, an activist and co-founder of TV21, Ms. Sevdije Ahmeti, Ms. Safete Rugova and other women she has established the “Association of Creative Women of Kosovo.”

She believes that KWN’s role has been to build a safe environment for interaction through mutual communication and active listening.

“KWN had a platform where women and girls could speak out about their needs and interests for gender equality and inclusion. Where women and girls could be equipped with the knowledge and skills to better articulate their needs, in order to participate in decision-making processes and in public appearances.”

According to Gashi, KWN’s role has been and is still multiple. Below, she lists some of KWN’s contributions.

“Drafting of Laws, strategies and Action Plans for Gender Equality and inclusion in support of local and international legal frameworks. Raising women’s professional skills in line with the actions of distinguished worldwide women leaders for equality. Equipping women and girls with business skills to become equal in a competitive and quality market, through the allocation of grants and the provision of trainings to member organizations, but also to civil society organizations in general.”

She recalls that there has been progress but sometimes also decline, due to political developments, given that Kosovo has been under the management of the UN and its agencies, which according to her, have not always had a constructive approach due to the prejudicial status of Kosovo in Resolution 1244.

“Nevertheless, KWN, by acting and involving hardworking women around it, and time to time men as well, has managed, despite the difficulties, to support the empowerment of women in various fields. KWN is distinguished also for its “in shadow” advocacy role for Kosovo and its internationalization, namely the role of supporting Peaceful movements for human and gender equality,” she said.

When recalling the history of the women’s movement, Gashi assesses that major changes could not be imagined or recorded without KWN’s strong participation and support at various times.

“In particular, in the time period after 2004. The protests of the people and women against the four-point document, six-point document of UN Mission, as well as the Movements for changes. Support and internationalization of the Serbian regime’s state violence against women during the war and later as a result of patriarchy. Equipping of Kosovo with an Anti-Discrimination Legal Framework.”

The Significance of the “Sevdije Ahmeti” Award

Finally, during the 19th Annual Membership Meeting, Gashi received the “Sevdije Ahmeti” Award, which she highly appreciates.

“Many thanks to the Membership and KWN, which honoured me with such a special award. Sevdije Ahmeti created an era in the field of equality and gender rights in Kosovo and beyond in the international arena. For decades, she never stopped being a worthy and dignified fighter for national rights and gender equality; because she knew that none of these universal human rights could make or affect substantive changes as separate.”

For her, this award is an additional obligation to never forget that she is a woman and that her first mission is to strongly support women, not only at national but also at international level, whenever it is necessary, and not only by words but also by concrete commitment.

When we talk about the awards appreciating Gashi’s work, we recall that in 2006 she received an award for commitment to gender rights and equality from the John B. Krock Institute – University of San Diego, after having been chosen among the four women of the world selected for the “Woman Peace Makers 2006” Award. For more details see the link KËTU.

“Finally, I thank the Network and the Membership, the Board and all those women working in the Network, and the members and donors for their generosity in supporting KWN and KWN Leadership for pushing forward women’s causes for equality and gender inclusion,” she said.

Gashi closes this interview by wishing a very happy new 2022 year to everyone.

Activist Shukrije Gashi: Despite the Difficulties, KWN Supported Women’s Empowerment in Various Fields

Shukrije Gashi, Executive Director of Partners Kosova Center for Conflict Management (Partners K) concludes the list of activists that the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) has brought to readers this year.

Shukrije Gashi [or Shuki as her friends warmly call her] started her activism in difficult political circumstances, when Kosovo was not yet an independent state and human rights were subject to violation, whilst lately, during the 19th Annual Membership Meeting of KWN, she was honoured with the “Sevdije Ahmeti” Award, an award that KWN has been awarding for four years now in honour of the late activist Sevdije Ahmeti (1944-2016).

In this article, she talks about her activism, the cooperation she has had over the years with KWN, and the feminist movement over the decades.

Beginnings of Gashi’s Activism and her Challenges

At the beginning of our conversation, by describing the early period of activism, she reminds us that she grew up in a family known for its national activities and a will for gender equality.

“I have been known as a rebel since the elementary school benches, by writing essays against the regime of the time. The teacher of Albanian language, Ms. Gjylije Ibrani, on the occasion of handling my essay wherein instead of writing about the liberation day of Yugoslavia, I chose to write about the National Flag Day, and the way how Albanian women and girls were proudly celebrating it on the streets of Pristina. Since Ms. Ibrani was a great patriot, she did not report me to the Director; instead at the end of the class she kept me in classroom and proposed that I bring my father to have a talk with her. In my presence, they talked about the need for me not to take such actions so as not to harm either the teacher or the family.”

Gashi further states that at that time the opportunities to act or demonstrate a different opinion were very limited.

As a student at the Faculty of Law, she has been engaged in the Movement for the Republic of Kosovo within the Yugoslav Federation. Even then, Gashi often clashed with her peers and professors on the women’s rights.

“On April 26, 1983, I was imprisoned and sentenced to two years of imprisonment. Even while I was in prison, I never neglected my efforts for gender equality. On the contrary, I have strongly advocated that we girls and women prisoners should not waste our time, but prepare to make efforts to achieve the gender equality within the struggle for national equality, by becoming part of the Movements of the time.”, she recalls this event dating four decades ago.

She recalls a moment that she will never forget during the time in prison.

“When I was imprisoned, I wore a military shirt, in which I painted the portrait of singer Janis Joplin, an American rock star, performer and songwriter of rock and blues songs. She has been the symbol of my ideal. And when I was questioned by UDB (Serbian Secret Service) inspectors, they did not understand, in particular, the sarcasm of the message of her song “Mercedes Benz”? So, my activism has been profound and moulded with cultural and artistic knowledge. In addition to the national knowledge”

Gashi recalls that there are also many other similar situations. However, as shown in this article, Gashi, even after being imprisoned and facing challenges, did not give up, instead she continued decades of work and activism, by always carrying on her shoulders the features of a rebellious feminist.

Gender Equality Then and Today

Compared to today, she recalls, the movement for gender equality as a need, feeling and encouragement was much stronger then.

“There were women and girls as well as boys and men who supported the movement by finding forms such as the involvement of girls and women in the national movements of that time. I can freely say that the boys of that time “the comrades of the illegal movement” have been very careful and considerably involved in advocating for our engagement in the Movement, especially for creating equal space for women and girls in society.”

She assesses that unfortunately today, even though the circumstances and laws have changed and are in favour of the realization of women’s rights, “the approach is sometimes nuanced and retrograde and disadvantages women, which is reflected with severe gender-based violence and murder.”

The Value of Cooperation with KWN

During her journey for women’s rights, Gashi has collaborated with KWN for a long time and she has also been a member of the Board for a term. Today she highly appreciates the role of KWN and its members over the years in advancing for women’s rights.

“I have worked with KWN for a long time, since the establishment of the Network, because I have closely known the work and leadership, in particular Igo [Igballe Rogova, Executive Director of KWN]. I have also known many hardworking women and men over the years, including Ms. Sevdije Ahmeti and her work since 1987.

Later, she also got to know from close Sevdije Ahmeti’s collaborator, Vjosa Dobruna, who has together with Ahmeti made an extraordinary contribution to gender equality.

“There are also many other women, such as Aferdita Saraqini, Velentina Saraqini, Edita Tahiri, Hamide Latifi and many other women. Then, there are also other younger women of the 90s- Eli Krasniqi and Eli Gashi, and others.”

While speaking about the contribution of activists, Gashi says:

“I knew Igballe Rogova, together with the theatre actress, Safete Rogova and teacher Marta Prekpalaj, even before the last war in Kosovo; I know about the work which they have done for women and their education in Zymë i Hasit and the Hasjani population through the “Motrat Qiriazi” Association. She further highly appreciates the activism of Nicole Fransworth, KWN Program Director, Lead Researcher.

In this period, together with Mrs. Naxhije Buçinca, a long-time activist of the LDK Women’s Forum, Ms. Xheraldina Vula, an activist and co-founder of TV21, Ms. Sevdije Ahmeti, Ms. Safete Rugova and other women she has established the “Association of Creative Women of Kosovo.”

She believes that KWN’s role has been to build a safe environment for interaction through mutual communication and active listening.

“KWN had a platform where women and girls could speak out about their needs and interests for gender equality and inclusion. Where women and girls could be equipped with the knowledge and skills to better articulate their needs, in order to participate in decision-making processes and in public appearances.”

According to Gashi, KWN’s role has been and is still multiple. Below, she lists some of KWN’s contributions.

“Drafting of Laws, strategies and Action Plans for Gender Equality and inclusion in support of local and international legal frameworks. Raising women’s professional skills in line with the actions of distinguished worldwide women leaders for equality. Equipping women and girls with business skills to become equal in a competitive and quality market, through the allocation of grants and the provision of trainings to member organizations, but also to civil society organizations in general.”

She recalls that there has been progress but sometimes also decline, due to political developments, given that Kosovo has been under the management of the UN and its agencies, which according to her, have not always had a constructive approach due to the prejudicial status of Kosovo in Resolution 1244.

“Nevertheless, KWN, by acting and involving hardworking women around it, and time to time men as well, has managed, despite the difficulties, to support the empowerment of women in various fields. KWN is distinguished also for its “in shadow” advocacy role for Kosovo and its internationalization, namely the role of supporting Peaceful movements for human and gender equality,” she said.

When recalling the history of the women’s movement, Gashi assesses that major changes could not be imagined or recorded without KWN’s strong participation and support at various times.

“In particular, in the time period after 2004. The protests of the people and women against the four-point document, six-point document of UN Mission, as well as the Movements for changes. Support and internationalization of the Serbian regime’s state violence against women during the war and later as a result of patriarchy. Equipping of Kosovo with an Anti-Discrimination Legal Framework.”

The Significance of the “Sevdije Ahmeti” Award

Finally, during the 19th Annual Membership Meeting, Gashi received the “Sevdije Ahmeti” Award, which she highly appreciates.

“Many thanks to the Membership and KWN, which honoured me with such a special award. Sevdije Ahmeti created an era in the field of equality and gender rights in Kosovo and beyond in the international arena. For decades, she never stopped being a worthy and dignified fighter for national rights and gender equality; because she knew that none of these universal human rights could make or affect substantive changes as separate.”

For her, this award is an additional obligation to never forget that she is a woman and that her first mission is to strongly support women, not only at national but also at international level, whenever it is necessary, and not only by words but also by concrete commitment.

When we talk about the awards appreciating Gashi’s work, we recall that in 2006 she received an award for commitment to gender rights and equality from the Institute for Peace & Justice Joan B. Kroc – University of San Diego, after having been chosen among the four women of the world selected for the “Woman Peace Makers 2006” Award. For more details see the link KËTU.

“Finally, I thank the Network and the Membership, the Board and all those women working in the Network, and the members and donors for their generosity in supporting KWN and KWN Leadership for pushing forward women’s causes for equality and gender inclusion,” she said.

Gashi closes this interview by wishing a very happy new 2022 year to everyone.

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 KLI Hold Workshop with Trade Unions on Gender-based Discrimination and its Reporting

24.12.2021

The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) in cooperation with the Kosovo Law Institute (KLI) held a workshop on the 26th of November, on the legal framework and mechanisms for reporting cases of gender-based discrimination in the labor market in Kosovo.

This workshop informed labor unions more about KWN’s research findings “Gender-Based Discrimination and Labour in Kosovo”, as well as the legal framework on gender-based discrimination.

Adelina Tërshani, KWN Project Coordinator, said the research shows the various forms of discrimination that women face in the labor market.

“Women are asked in job interviews about family planning and this is one of the most pronounced forms of discrimination. Career promotion is also quite problematic because some emphasize that X type of work is only for men and often women do not get promoted for these reasons,” she added.

During the workshop, trade union representatives discussed best practices for preventing gender-based discrimination in the labor market.

Zjavere Keqmezi from the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Kosovo emphasized that women face a lot of discrimination in their workplace.

“One of the topics that should be talked about the most is sexual harassment. Psychological sexual harassment is very present with us. Women are silent about this because they are stigmatized and forced to remain silent. Therefore, anonymity would guarantee that the reporting of sexual harassment in the workplace is addressed,” she added.

Further, Valmira Rashiti, KWN Project Coordinator, assesses that gender sensitivity in cases of discrimination does not constitute a violation, on the contrary, it helps to better address cases in the courts.

“Gender sensitivity should be guaranteed because there is always the fear of publishing the case publicly, and men are not afraid to face it and publish the case, but women are different, so this gender sensitivity should be guaranteed,” she added.

Arrita Rezniqi from the Kosovo Law Institute, who has assisted several cases of gender-based discrimination in the workplace and monitored them in court proceedings, stressed the importance of cooperating with KWN to better address these cases.

“From the cooperation we have had with the Kosovo Women’s Network, we have seen how important it is to support women during court proceedings to report gender-based discrimination in the labor market. Consequently, we have supported and monitored many such cases,” she said.

The workshop concluded with a discussion on gender-based discrimination in the workplace, the treatment of cases of discrimination in the workplace and the support that these cases receive through non-governmental organizations in Kosovo.

This workshop was funded by the European Union (EU) and co-funded by the International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), in the framework of the initiative ” Empowering CSOs in Combatting Discrimination and Furthering Women’s Labour Rights “.

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

Women’s Center “ATO” Holds Lectures On Reproductive Health with Students

22.12.2021

Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) member organization, Women’s Center “ATO”, is continuing the implementation of the initiative “Reproductive health education”.

During November and December, this organization held two lectures with the students of the primary school “Lumëmadh” in Vushtrri and the primary school “Mustaf Shyti” in the Oshlan village. 40 students participating in these lectures received information about reproductive health education, personal hygiene, menstrual cycle, unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

The lecturer, Mergime Jashari, psychologist, assessed this initiative as very useful for raising awareness of girls and boys about the importance of health education, sex education and sexual harassment.

“In rural areas, information on reproductive health is lacking and municipal institutions still do not have an agenda on this issue. Therefore, it is very useful to support such initiatives that contribute to the protection of public health” said Jashari.

The executive director of the organization, Fikrije Ferizi, announced that this organization will continue with similar lectures in other villages in the Municipality of Vushtrri such as: Smrekonica, Maxhunaj and Samadrexha.

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”.

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

Gruaja Hyjnore holds awareness raising lectures with students on sexual harassment and the importance of reporting

22.12.2021

The member organization of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), Gruaja Hyjnore has continued the activities within the initiative “Sexual education as a subject in primary and secondary schools”.

On December 22, 2021, the Gruaja Hyjnore held a lecture with the students of the technical high school “Mehmet Isai” in Gjilan, where they discussed in more detail about sexual harassment and ways to prevent and report it.

The young girls and boys who participated in this lecture discussed on how to eliminate the taboos that are still found in society around this topic. As a very important step, students valued the opportunity to have as free access and communication as possible with parents, teachers and institutions in case of sexual harassment inside or outside the school.

The Project Manager in this organization, Qëndresa Hajdari has informed the students that within this framework, informative meetings with parents are foreseen, knowing their important role in combating this phenomenon and raising awareness of children.

“We will disclose with parents and teachers the cases that have occurred in the past, as well as the consequences they are leaving on children, families and society,” said Hajdari, among others.

This initiative by Gruaja Hyjnore was supported by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), through 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 o

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

“Drugëza” Drafts The Five-Year Strategy

20.12.2021

The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) is continuing to work on member organizations’ capacity building throughout Kosovo.

Knowing that the functioning of each organization depends on prior strategic planning, the 16th round of the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) includes support for drafting strategies of eight beneficiary organizations.

In this context, NGO “Drugëza” concluded 2021 with a two-day workshop held in Durrës, which brought together Skënderaj activists and other collaborators to contribute to the five-year Strategy of this organization. Reviewing the mission and the vision of the organization was one of the key points of this workshop.

From the joint discussions of activists who know Drugëza’s work over the years and the needs of Skënderaj’s women, it was agreed that the areas where this organization should focus are:

  • Economic empowerment of women, with special emphasis on those in rural areas;
  • Empowering the role of women in decision-making;
  • Equal access to health services, and
  • Capacity building of the organization’s staff.

The expert engaged in the drafting of the strategy, Artan Binaku, said that they have had numerous discussions researching and identifying the best strategic options.

“What contributed to the process of strategy development was the fact that there was inclusion and agreement on most of the proposed topics. I believe that due to the lack of resources, staff, and finances, the organization will have challenges in its implementation, but with the support of KWN, they will be able to meet the set goals,” he added.

Further, the Manager of the organization, Gentiana Zeqiri, praised the support received from KWN on drafting this Strategy, which will be the starting point for any further planning of the work of the organization.

“Drafting the Strategy for the period 2022-2026 offers us a clear idea of ​​the work we intend to do in the future, as well as to consider the budget aspect for each area of ​​intervention,” she said.

Let us remember that “Drugëza” was founded in 2016, with the aim of improving the position of women in society, advancing the rights of women, and their engagement in handicrafts, and more.

This activity was supported by the Sigrid Rausing Trust within the KWF round 16th.

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“Aureola” trains Podujeva women assembly members on public speaking

15.12.2021

The member organisation of the Kosova Women’s Network (KWN), “Aureola” is continuing to contribute to the empowerment of women in politics.

This time, the beneficiaries of the activities of the initiative “Increasing women’s participation in decision-making” were the newly elected women assembly members of the Municipality of Podujeva, women municipal officials, and women active in civil society, who attended the training “Public Speaking”.

The Executive Director of Aureola, Sanije Grajcevci, thanked the participants for their interest, and KWN for their support.

“We are happy to have the opportunity to train you on this very important topic. We thank the Kosova Women’s Network that made this project possible, and the municipality of Podujeva that is giving space to support women“, she said.

The trainer Agron Krasniqi, said that communication is one of the main skills that adds value to an individual.

“You represent an institution, so you must be very careful about how you present yourself inside and outside municipal institutions, not only in verbal communication, but also non-verbal. You must always be prepared, because only in this way you can overcome fear”, emphasised Krasniqi.

Responsibility and stress must be managed well, so that the message clearly reaches the public, said the trainer Shqipe Halili – Spahiu.

“The main qualities of good speakers are to convince the public, to motivate, and to inform. Speaking in public is the number one marketing you can do to your work, of course, with the right facts”.

The Assembly member of the Municipality of Podujeva, Mrika Thaqi, said that this training helps their daily work.

“We have a great responsibility because we have to raise issues, react, and represent the citizens. Therefore, speaking in public is a daily component of our work, which today’s training treated brilliantly”, she said.

At the end of the training, participants had the opportunity to practice the acquired knowledge and receive advice from the trainers.

“Aureola” will continue to implement this initiative also in Kastriot, Vushtrri, Lipjan, Prishtina and Drenas, in order to empower women to be part of political and decision-making processes.

The activities of this initiative are funded by the European Union (EU) Office in Kosova, through the 15th round of the Kosova Women’s Fund.

KWN has supported its members in several activities to improve public appearances and communication skills. HERE you can read more about the training held with the member organization, the Organisation of Persons with Muscular Dystrophy of Kosova for communication capacity building.

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“Gruaja Hyjnore” marks International Human Rights Day

13.12.2021

December 10, International Human Rights Day, was also marked by the member organisation of the Kosova Women’s Network (KWN), “Gruaja Hyjnore” in Gjilan.

Citizens, representatives of institutions and of civil society, respecting the measures against Covid-19, attended the workshop on human rights, with special emphasis on women’s rights and combating violence against them.

Lecturer prof. Ferid Azemi, emphasised the importance of reporting cases of human rights violations.

“If you hear cases of violation of rights, or more specifically violence, you should immediately report to the competent authorities, because community policing can save someone’s life“, said Azemi.

Gani Leci, from the Victims’ Protection Office in the region of Gjilan, said that although citizens report violence, it happens that victims are afraid to accept the truth.

“We have had cases when the neighbour reported the violence and legal and protective measures were taken immediately, because the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence protects the rights of everyone”, he said.

Attendees shared various experiences of consequences of non-reporting of domestic violence, and the importance of the community to help victims. It was said that we should cultivate the culture that violence between the couple is not a private matter.

This activity is supported by the Sigrid Rausing Trust, through the 16th round of the Kosova Women’s Fund, which provides organizational support to NGOs working for women’s rights.

Read also: Kosovo Women’s Fund Announces Core Support

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