Kosovo Women's Network

European Union in Kosovo, Kosovo Women’s Network Launch Groundbreaking Gender Analysis on Peace and Security in Kosovo

31.10.2025

On 31 October, the European Union in Kosovo, together with the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), marked the 25th Anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) at the Europe House in Pristina and launched an EU-funded and KWN-prepared report entitled “Peace and Security in Kosovo: A Gender Analysis”.

“The aim of the gender analysis of peace and security in Kosovo is to inform present and future EU programming that will further and better support the implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda in Kosovo, in cooperation with institutions, civil society, women’s rights organisations and international partners,” said Aivo Orav, the EU Ambassador in Kosovo.

In marking this Anniversary, Orav was joined by Igballe Rogova, Executive Director of KWN, a multiethnic network of 102 diverse women’s rights organisations. “Without the inclusion of women, there is no lasting peace. Without women, there is no justice, and the absence of justice undermines the achievement of sustained peace,” Rogova emphasised.

Photo: Samir Karahoda – European Union in Kosovo

Presenting the new Gender Analysis’ key findings and recommendations, the KWN Deputy Director and Lead Researcher Nicole Farnsworth highlighted that Kosovo has committed to the WPS Agenda but that several laws and policies require amending and adopting to ensure its implementation, particularly related to women’s participation and protection, including electoral laws, the law on the status and rights of war victims and the Law on the Kosovo Security Force.

“The new Kosovo Program on Gender Equality should attend to several unimplemented aspects of the WPS Agenda so it can serve as Kosovo’s National Action Plan on WPS,” said Farnsworth.

The report further notes that the root causes of past, present and potential future tensions include segregated education and media that reinforce gender norms underpinning violence; insufficient inclusive and gender-responsive interethnic communication and interactions; economic instability and inadequate transitional justice.

The report recommends strengthening gender-responsive transitional justice, improving access to social and health services and implementing gender-responsive education, economic and environmental programs that address gendered structural inequalities and bring diverse women and men together to address issues of shared interest.

In addition, the report highlights the need to better engage diverse women, men and women’s rights organisations in consultations and in transitional justice, security, and peace processes, ensuring inclusive participation, leadership and gender-responsive decision-making.

The full report is available here in English, Albanian, and Serbian.

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Kosovo Women’s Network in October: Strengthening Capacities, Institutional Cooperation and Community Awareness

31.10.2025

During October, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) carried out a series of important activities aimed at strengthening institutions, increasing awareness, and improving responses to gender-based violence in Kosovo.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, the Department for Social and Family Policy, and the Professional Council for Social and Family Policy, KWN organised two rounds of two-day trainings on the curriculum “Working with Victims of Domestic Violence: Treatment and Referral” in the Prizren region. The trainings brought together social service professionals to share experiences, deepen legal knowledge and strengthen a victim-centred approach.

On 14 October, QIKA launched the newspaper “No Means No – Also Online,” which presents findings from research on sexual harassment and online violence against women and girls in Kosovo. Among the panelists was Adelina Berisha, Programme Director for Addressing Gender-Based Violence, who shared experiences and advocacy efforts that KWN has undertaken to tackle online violence.

Furthermore, KWN continued monitoring cases of gender-based violence in courts, as well as providing support and counselling for victims of gender-based violence.

In addition to these efforts, KWN participated in the President of Kosovo’s conference “Women, Peace and Security: Addressing New Threats through Regional Cooperation.”

As part of the “Door to Door” campaign, in collaboration with RROGRAEK, ZEC, and OPDMK, KWN contributed to organising informational meetings with citizens from the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, the Serbian community, and people with disabilities, distributing educational materials and raising awareness about various forms of gender-based violence.

Through its partnership with Artpolis, KWN also supported the premiere of the forum theatre play “Behind the Screen,” held at the “Xhevdet Doda” school in Prishtina and at Cinema “Jusuf Gërvalla” in Peja.

Through these initiatives, KWN continues to play a key role in institutional empowerment, victim protection and building an equal and safe society for all.

All these activities were supported by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), with the support of the Austrian Development Cooperation and the East-West Management Institute (EWMI).

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Beyond Obstacles: Women with Disabilities Leading Change

31.10.2025

Women and girls with disabilities often face two layers of marginalisation: gender-based discrimination and the barriers created by ableism. These intersecting inequalities limit their access to basic rights, especially in the field of health care and reproductive health. Physical inaccessibility of medical facilities, lack of tailored information and prevailing stereotypes leave many without the knowledge or means to make informed decisions about their own bodies.

For adolescent girls, these challenges are compounded by the persistence of taboos around menstruation and sexuality. Many avoid discussing health concerns or lack access to essential products and information, resulting in both health risks and social exclusion.

To close these gaps, the NGO Handikos Mitrovica launched an initiative designed to break barriers and build confidence, equipping women and girls with disabilities with the knowledge, support and tools to claim their right to healthcare.

Strengthening Awareness and Confidence

Handikos Mitrovica engaged women and girls with disabilities in Mitrovica through an integrated set of trainings, information sessions, guided visits and advocacy actions aimed at strengthening their knowledge, agency and access to reproductive health care. Two three-day training groups in early July 2023 equipped 20 participants with essential information on reproductive health, sexuality, sexually transmitted infections, early pregnancy risks and institutional complaint mechanisms. In August, a follow-up session with women and mothers of children with disabilities deepened participants understanding of patient rights, while also documenting ten cases of alleged violations, laying the groundwork for future advocacy.

Simultaneously, Handikos Mitrovica provided a dedicated training for mothers to strengthen parent-child communication on sensitive topics such as puberty, menstrual health and healthy relationships, enabling them to better support their daughters.

An expert-led session with the head nurse of the Main Family Medicine Centre gave participants direct insight into how to file and follow up on complaints. 24 women asked practical questions about the steps involved, the expected timeline for responses and the kinds of issues that fall within the Centre’s responsibilities. As a result, participants began to see complaint mechanisms not as bureaucratic obstacles, but as useful tools to claim their rights.

From Awareness to Engagement

Through guided visits to the Main Family Medicine Centre’s counselling services, participants had the opportunity to see first-hand the spaces and professionals available to them. Over the course of these visits, 22 women learned about services for family planning, pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal care, and could discuss with staff the adaptations available for women with mobility or sensory impairments. Many participants noted that simply knowing what the facilities looked like, where to go, and who to speak to would make them more confident in seeking services in the future.

The trainings did not only provide participants with knowledge but also offered a safe space where they could share personal experiences, fostering solidarity and mutual support. Following the trainings, participants reported a significant boost in confidence. They felt more prepared to attend medical appointments independently, ask questions, and insist on their rights. Some even began sharing their new knowledge with peers in their communities, multiplying the initiative’s impact beyond its direct participants.

Handikos Mitrovica also engaged with local stakeholders to raise awareness about the specific barriers faced by women with disabilities. This dialogue opened pathways for future cooperation with municipal authorities on improving service accessibility, both in terms of physical infrastructure and provider sensitivity.

Lasting Change for Dignity and Equality

By focusing on an often-overlooked group, the initiative broke silences and challenged stereotypes, proving that disability inclusion is an essential dimension of gender equality. It showed that when women with disabilities are informed and empowered, they can take control of their health and demand the respect they deserve. Handikos Mitrovica’s initiative represents a step towards a society where all women, regardless of ability, can live with dignity, equality and autonomy.

Handikos Mitrovica’s initiative “Empowerment of women and girls with disabilities: A comprehensive approach to reproductive health” was carried out with support from the Kosovo Women’s Network’s Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF), financed by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and co-financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), in the amount of €5,000, from June to August 2023. The initiative contributed directly to KWN’s Programme “Right to Health”.

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Reflecting on Security and Defense Spending in the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework from a Gender Equality and Gender Budgeting Perspective

29.10.2025

The Gender Budget Watchdog Network (GBWN), together with the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) and the European Gender Budget Network (EGBN), organized the webinar “Security for Whom?” to reflect on the EU’s shifting priorities in its new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). Moderated by Nicole Farnsworth, Deputy Director and Lead Researcher at the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), the event gathered feminist academics, policy experts, and civil society actors to explore whether gender equality and gender budgeting can be meaningfully integrated into the EU’s growing defense and security expenditures.

Speakers raised alarm that the proposed MFF lacks gender equality objectives in most program regulations. As Elisabeth Klatzer (EGBN) warned, “The new MFF introduces flexibility and performance tracking, yet omits clear gender equality objectives leaving gender at high risk of being sidelined in funding.” Similarly, Anna Elomäki (Tampere University) emphasized that “Earmarked defense and security spending is set to surge to roughly €235 billion five times current levels while funds for people and social objectives shrink.”

The discussion revealed widespread concern that EU funding priorities are reinforcing traditional, male-dominated sectors while neglecting social and human security. Aurelie Buytaert (European Peacebuilding Liaison Office) cautioned that “If the EU deepens its role in defense, it must also strengthen governance aligning spending with arms-export criteria and gender strategies so we don’t undermine peacebuilding and the official development assistance” Hanna L. Mühlenhoff (University of Amsterdam) added that “In a climate of war-readiness, technical gender mainstreaming risks becoming a fig leaf; feminists should challenge the broader agenda of militarization itself.”

From an institutional perspective, Sari Kouvo (Gothenburg University) underlined that “Mainstreaming gender and human rights in EU security policy requires strategic hooks clear language, objectives and indicators that actually become actionable.” Meanwhile, Anastasia Mondeser (Gender Associations) reminded that “Defence is not a gender-free space; gender budgeting can be applied through annexes, targets and oversight if institutions commit to accountability.”

Addressing external financing, Laura Guthrie (CONCORD) warned that “Without binding targets like the 85% gender marker in external action, gender equality becomes optional and easily pushed aside by short-term interests.” Nela Porobić Isaković (Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom) argued that “Moving money into militarization crowds out social infrastructure and care; our priority must be human security, not arming a system that trades in death.” Concluding the discussion, Mary Collins (EWL) reminded participants that “Security must mean freedom from violence, equal participation and trust in public institutions budgets should reflect those values, and women must be at the table.”

Closing the event, Nicole Farnsworth emphasized the importance of building a joint feminist coalition to advocate collectively for peace, equality, and accountability across EU budgeting processes.

During the webinar, EGBN and GBWN announced a new policy brief, “Putting Gender Equality and Women’s Rights at the Core of the Next EU Budget (MFF 2028–2034),” which can be used by a diverse, multifaceted coalition to advocate jointly for a more gender-responsive MFF. You can read the policy brief here.

This webinar was supported by the Austrian Development Agency and Sweden through GBWN.

Watch the webinar here.

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KWN Calls for Effective Implementation of Laws Addressing Gender-based Violence at President’s “Women, Peace, and Security” Conference

27.10.2025

Today, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) participated in the conference “Women, Peace, and Security: Addressing New Threats through Regional Cooperation”, organised by the Regional Center of Excellence for Women, Peace and Security in Kosovo, established by the Office of the President of the Republic of Kosovo, H.E. Vjosa Osmani.

Besarta Breznica, Program Officer for Addressing Gender-based Violence, took part in the panel “Regional Approaches to Preventing Gender-based Violence in Southeast Europe”. She presented the challenges institutions face in implementing legislation, including insufficient budget, staff and institutional infrastructure.

Further, she stated that justice institutions still struggle to enforce laws due to patriarchal and traditional mindsets.

“Justice institutions often fail to adequately assess risks in domestic violence cases, produce weak indictments and judges continue to issue very lenient sentences for offenders.”

The drafting process of the State Protocol for the Treatment of Cases of Sexual Violence was mentioned as a positive example of cooperation between local organisations, international partners and state institutions. Other positive examples included numerous awareness campaigns continuously organised by women’s rights organisations and the provision of free legal aid for all victims of gender-based violence.

Finally, long-standing cooperation with organisations from the Western Balkans was commended, particularly their joint efforts in conducting research and providing free legal aid.

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Equality from the Start: KWN Advocates Gender-transformative Early Childhood Education at University of Pristina Conference

17.10.2025

On 16 October, Sara Nicole Baxley, Lecturer at RIT Kosovo (AUK) and Gender Expert with the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), presented KWN’s recent policy paper “Integrating Gender-transformative Approaches in Early Education Curricula and Pedagogy” at the conference “Gender Equality and Institutions” organised by the Faculty of Economy, University of Pristina.

In her presentation, Baxley highlighted how investing in early childhood education can foster gender equality and inclusion from the very beginning, as these formative years play a critical role in shaping identities, norms and opportunities. She emphasised the importance of gender-transformative curricula that go beyond merely avoiding the reinforcement of inequalities to actively challenging them and reshaping social norms and roles. Additionally, the increased availability and affordability of early education services would enable women’s equal participation in political, economic and social areas of life.

Baxley shared insights from a gender-transformative assessment tool and called for stronger institutional accountability and interinstitutional collaboration, while also highlighting the importance of teacher training. Provided with opportunities to reflect on their own gender biases, habits and interactions with children, teachers can become “agents of equality” in their everyday work.

Aside from the role of institutions in advancing gender equality, the conference also covered women’s economic empowerment and related policies, as well as gender equality and representation.

“The conference showcased a wide range of presentations, from academic research to reports on CSO interventions, spanning diverse European contexts and multiple sectors. This breadth of perspectives fosters a systems-based approach to tackling gender inequality, demonstrating that meaningful change requires collaboration across disciplines and borders. Together, we can turn knowledge into action and build institutions that truly uphold gender equality,” says Baxley.

Key recommendations from KWN’s policy paper “Integrating Gender-transformative Approaches in Early Education Curricula and Pedagogy” include:

Striving for legislation that make Early Childhood Education (ECE) accessible and affordable for lower income earning families and those with children with diverse learning needs.
Increasing funding for ECE, building and expanding facilities and conditions to increase the number of diverse girls and boys enrolled in ECE.
Implementing awareness-raising campaigns on the benefits of ECE.
Reviewing and ensuring curricula are gender transformative and consider gender biases.
Including in the curriculum framework specific pedagogical practices teachers are expected to use in the classroom to ensure they apply gender-responsive approaches in their delivery of curricula.
Using GRB to allocate specific budgets in legislation and policies for gender-transformative teacher training.

You can read the full paper here.

This research is part of KWN’s ongoing efforts to advance Gender Transformative Education, supported by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and co-financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

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KWN Presents Research at Gender Equality Workshop

16.10.2025

On 15 October 2025, education expert Arbresha Meha participated on behalf of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) in the “Sustainable Higher Education and Research in Kosovo” (SHER) Workshop on Gender Equality. Meha shared key findings from KWN’s forthcoming research on sexual education and gender equality in pre-University education in Kosovo.

Meha stated that schools continue to reinforce gender stereotypes through language and schoolbook illustrations, noting that stereotypes present in higher education stem from and are visible already at an early education level. While many teachers express their interest in utilising gender-responsive teaching practices, they have had insufficient training to strengthen their capacities to do so. Emphasising the importance of the individual teacher, Meha stated that while policies come from a higher level, “individuals make the difference”. She stressed the need for more teacher training, stronger institutional support, and clear guidelines on implementing specific parts of curricula.

Particularly challenging topics that are insufficiently addressed in many schools include bullying and harassment, as well as sexual education, which remains largely taboo. While sexual education is partially included in subjects such as biology, these lessons often focus mainly on physical aspects, neglecting psychological and social dimensions. Treatment of these topics is also fragmented, with many teachers skipping sections of the curriculum or leaving them for at-home studies. This is partly due to teachers not feeling prepared to address them and partly due to broader cultural norms, which also exist outside the classroom.

Meha shared an example of a teacher training organised by KWN in 2024. After the training, classroom observations were conducted to assess changes in teaching approaches. The data showed improved awareness and willingness among teachers to address gender and sexual education topics. While a single training session is insufficient for lasting change, these results highlight the importance of longer, dedicated training modules, followed by monitoring and continuous support. Meha noted that training on gender norms and gender-transformative pedagogy should become a compulsory part of higher-education teacher qualifications.

“From evidence to action, clear curricula, teacher training and supportive school environments can turn findings into classroom practice,” she emphasised.

Other obstacles to inclusive and equitable education highlighted during the workshop, and in KWN’s forthcoming report, include outdated school infrastructure. Most schools do not provide adequate conditions for students with disabilities and some still rely on obsolete teaching resources.

KWN’s research was carried out in close collaboration with KWN member organisations, the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) and several municipal governments with financial support from Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) and Sweden. KWN seeks to collaborate with MESTI and other actors working in the education sector like SHER towards improving the gender-responsiveness of education, based on these findings.

The SHER Programme, supported by ADC and MESTI, also seeks to promote gender-responsive education and research in Kosovo.

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Shliroj Cicat Marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Annual Festival in Pristina

16.10.2025

On 13–15 October 2025, the NGO Shliroj Cicat organised its fifth annual festival in Pristina to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this year under the slogan “Trupi s’është i Turpit” (“The Body is Not Shameful”). The festival once again brought together art, activism and care to empower women and break stigma around breast cancer.

Every day from 10:00 to 19:00, a bra donation was organised at Skanderbeg Square. A booth with the banner “Free your breasts” drew the attention of passersby, who stopped to learn more and ask questions. Beyond raising awareness, the campaign also supported fundraising efforts: lacing from the donated bras will be re-used to create handbags that will later be sold to support women affected by breast cancer. The volunteers working by the booth also handed out brochures on the importance of breast self-examinations for early detection.

On the second day of the festival, Shliroj Cicat hosted a powerful panel where each voice brought stories, energy and inspiration for women and the community. This year’s edition was particularly significant as for the first time the panel addressed the theme of the “double battle” – facing breast cancer while lacking support from partners. The panel featured Vera Ora, Fitore Bicaj, Bind Skeja, Edi Gusia and Kaltrina Ajeti.

Other festival activities included a gathering of local artists from North Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo, who painted artworks exhibited on the final day of the festival at the Great Hamam. Shliroj Cicat plans to sell the pieces at an art auction on 4 February 2026, marking World Cancer Day. Funds raised will go directly to initiatives supporting women affected by breast cancer.

During the three-day festival, Shliroj Cicat also used its Creative Space to host interactive activities with women and youth, including yoga and ceramics sessions.

“Reactions from participants were overwhelmingly positive,” says Ermira Murati, the festival organiser. “Many described the festival as a rare space where art, care and activism merge into a powerful message for women’s health.”

Despite ongoing financial challenges, Shliroj Cicat continues to stand strong in its mission: “Shliroj Cicat is more than a festival – it’s a movement that opens dialogue about women’s bodies, fear and strength. Through art, we aim to release the topic of breast cancer from stigma and silence, giving women space to feel seen and empowered,” says Murati.

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OPDMK Supports People with Disabilities in Accessing Social Protection Services

14.10.2025

On 9 October 2025, the Organisation of Persons with Muscular Dystrophy of Kosovo (OPDMK) held an information session in the municipality of Prizren for people with disabilities and their personal assistants. The session focused on access to social and family protection services, as well as procedures for filing complaints.

The activity was carried out within the framework of the project “Enhancing the capacities of civil society to increase access to quality social protection for diverse women and men,” funded by the EU Civil Society Facility (EU CSF) Programme and implemented by the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), in partnership with OPDMK and Ruka Ruci.

During the session, participants learned about existing services, recent reforms in the field and the institutional mechanisms that support citizens in need. They had the opportunity to learn how to access social protection services and navigate public digital platforms. A special segment was dedicated to the E-Kosova platform, where participants were shown how to create accounts and use online services, encouraging greater use of digital solutions.

Participants were informed about the procedures for applying for social assistance and the channels available for submitting complaints in cases of obstacles or unfair treatment by public institutions. Discussions underscored the importance of being aware of one’s social and legal rights as a tool to drive concrete improvements at both the local and institutional level.

The information session also featured practical exercises, real-life examples and role-playing activities designed to enhance participants’ understanding of administrative procedures and help them develop the skills to address their issues independently.

During interactive discussions, participants shared their own experiences, including challenges in accessing social services and obtaining official recognition of disability status. They emphasised frequent delays in case reviews, a lack of transparency and insufficient information from responsible institutions.

At the end of the session, concrete recommendations were provided for improving access to public and digital services for people with disabilities, emphasising the need for ongoing cooperation between public institutions and civil society organisations.

This activity marks a significant step towards advancing inclusion and equality in access to social protection, demonstrating the commitment of KWN and OPDMK to empower citizens and foster a more inclusive and just society for all.

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Wartime Sexual Violence Survivors Rebuild Lives Through Psychosocial Support and Access to Health care

13.10.2025

In Kosovo, many women who experienced sexual violence during the war continue to face profound psychological and social consequences. Their situation worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, as delays in applying for legal recognition and verification of their status as wartime victims coincided with the resurfacing of traumatic memories during prolonged isolation. At this critical moment, the Center for the Promotion of Women’s Rights (QPDG) in Drenas stepped in to provide much-needed support. Through their initiative, 30 survivors of wartime sexual violence got to participate in psychosocial group sessions, health education workshops and activities designed to promote social interaction and overall psychological wellbeing.

Over the course of three months, three groups of 10 women each took part in psychosocial therapy sessions, which provided them with an opportunity to share their experiences, break through isolation and gradually rebuild confidence. Recreational and relaxing activities, such as meditation sessions, discussions and moments of laughter, helped relieve daily stress and provide small outlets from the weight of trauma.

Additionally, lectures were held on women’s right to quality health care. These sessions covered early detection and treatment of breast cancer, reproductive and sexual health and sexually transmitted infections. Lecturers and participants also discussed the importance of sexual education in schools and the significance of disseminating this vital information to younger generations. The last session held covered citizens’ rights in cases of health care violations and provided guidance on how to utilize available resources if faced with such violations.

Following the health care sessions, free mammograms as well as diabetes screenings were offered to the participating women. Most underwent these procedures, some for the very first time. Women who were found to have high blood sugar levels were provided with further health services to manage them.

Throughout the initiative, special attention was paid to women who had been denied their status as survivors of wartime sexual violence. The sessions gave them a rare sense of recognition and belonging, and served as a reminder of the significance of their experiences.

Step by step, the sessions formed a supportive community, where the women not only addressed their past but began to imagine a different future. By the end of the initiative, survivors described feeling more connected, less isolated and better equipped to face daily challenges.

“Rehabilitation, coping with trauma, a sense of belonging, safety and empowerment, and the fight against stigma, are the main services of our organization. The voice of survivors will never be silenced – every day it will grow louder and stronger,” says QPDG’s psychologist, Anita Istogu.

QPDG still offers both individual sessions aimed at rehabilitation, coping with trauma and developing a healthy lifestyle, and group sessions that focus on learning emotional management techniques, coping with stress, fostering a sense of belonging and sharing experiences. Women gather regularly at the Center, which welcomes both those who have already received legal status and those who are in the process of applying.

“This is our second home. We feel good and safe here. Every time they call us, we come with joy, meet with the staff and with each other, build friendships, work on different crafts, and relax. Sometimes we come without an invitation, because if we don’t come for a week or two, we really miss this place,” says one survivor.

QPDG’s initiative “Providing Psychosocial Services to Women Who Have Experienced Sexual Violence During the Recent War in Kosovo” was carried out with support from the Kosovo Women’s Network’s (KWN) Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF), financed by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and co-financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), in the amount of 4,007€, from October to December 2021. The initiative contributed directly to KWN’s Programme “Right to Health”.

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