Kosovo Police Commits to Better Response to Domestic Violence Cases

25.03.2021

On March 25 mars, Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) took part in a round table organized by the Kosovo Police regarding domestic violence cases.

The aim of this round table is to inform the relevant stakeholders what was done in 2020 and what is expected to be done during this year to prevent and combat domestic violence.

Initially, the General Director of the Kosovo Police, Samedin Mehmeti focused on how cases of domestic violence should be treated by police officers.

“Even though the work is being done, there are still victim of domestic violence; therefore, a way of prevention and serious treatment of these cases should be considered”, he said

Further, he said that it is tremendously important to establish mechanisms within the Kosovo Police that will monitor the work of police officers dealing with cases of domestic violence on how they are handling these cases. He also pointed out the importance of reporting cases where police officers have committed violations in dealing with these cases.

From the Ministry of Justice present was Nazlie Balaj, Adviser, who pledged that no compromises would be made for anyone who neglects domestic violence cases.

She also stressed that domestic violence is among three priorities of this ministry.

Adelina Berisha, Program Manager – Gender-Based Violence, KWN, mentioned that it is very important that officers dealing with these cases display gender sensitivity.

Berisha gave some recommendations at this round table. She said that all categories of gender-based violence should be considered.

“Police should be careful what question they ask the person who experienced violence; prosecutors should report police officers who commit violations; as well as the coordination mechanism in Prishtina should be functionalized in order for the stakeholders to meet more frequently to discuss the setbacks”, tha Berisha.        

This round table was also attended by representatives of the Agency for Gender Equality, UN Women, the Prosecution office, shelters and others.

KWN expressed willingness to assist with necessary training and coordination, given the long-term work to combat violence against women.

KWN will continue to advocate and monitor institutions that deal with these cases.

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KWN Urges the New Government to Implement Law on Gender Equality When Appointing Its Cabinet

20.03.2021

Women in Kosovo continue to be under-represented in politics and decision-making at local and central level.

We can see this because official voices from the party expected to form the Government have publicly stated that out of 15 ministries, only five will be led by women.

This small representation (precisely 33% of women in the government cabinet) directly contradicts the Law on Gender Equality (LGE), which guarantees gender equality (50/50) in institutions, as a condition for the development of a democratic society, where men and women have completely equal opportunities in the political, public, and institutional sphere.

Besides, this underrepresentation in the parliament may occur although in the parliamentary elections of February 14, 2021, the representation of women in the Assembly of Kosovo has increased by five seats, compared to previous elections (2019). This time as well, more women have been elected without quota than thanks to it.

Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) has followed with increased interest the representation and participation of women in elections over the years and consequently gender equal representation in the new government; therefore, KWN, through this letter, calls on Government that is expected to be formed to fully respect the LGE when appointing its Cabinet, respectively the Ministers and Deputy Ministers.

KWN, through its work and activism since it was established, strives for a Kosovo where women and men are equal and have equal opportunities in education, employment, political participation, health, and a life without violence. Therefore, in full compliance with its vision, KWN throughout this government mandate will seek public accountability and full transparency for the work that influences the realization of these vital objectives for the well-being of all women and girls in Kosovo.

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

KWN Continues Encouraging Young Women to Participate in Peace and Security Processes 

19.03.2021

For two days, during the 18th and 19th of March, Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) hosted online meetings with young women from the Municipality of Mitrovica, Lipjan and Viti, on the topic “Security challenges faced by girls”.

During these discussions, KWN Executive Director Igballe Rogova shared the advocacy strategies they could use to address the key challenges and problems identified in terms of security.

“Everything is possible if we join our forces and raise our voices for our wellbeing and for our rights. We have to feel safe in our own place.” Rogova said.

The young women from the three municipalities highly appreciated the opportunity to exchange experiences through these meetings and with KWN’s support.  

KWN shared with them the findings of the report “A Seat at the Table”.  This report examines the roles, contributions, and needs of women, particularly young women, related to peace and security processes in Kosovo since 1989, and will be launched during the first part of April. The young women taking part confirmed the findings from the report and the challenges they face at their municipalities. 

This initiative is necessary for addressing the security needs of young women in post-conflict areas. KWN strongly believes that gender stereotypes should never hinder young women from participating in decision-making roles in peace and security.

During June 2020, KWN hosted similar meetings with young women from Gjakova and Deçan. Click HERE for more about these discussions.

This activity was held as part of the initiative “Empowering young women in Kosovo”, supported by UN Women.

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29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence 

IPVK Helps Blinds with Professional Trainings

18.03.2021

12 blind women and men received vocational training in basic Microsoft software skills. 

Independent Initiative of Blind People (IPVK), a member organization of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), within the initiative “I want to lead a dignified life” conducted two trainings and meetings for the the blind and visually impaired to help them engage in the labor market. This was possible thanks to the 14th round of the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF).  

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he trainings covered topics such as forms of communication and presentation, writing a CV and Cover Letter, and the basic use of Microsoft products like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. These trainings were conducted by Hashim Lluminca and Shkëlzen Limani, external experts. 

“Blind people are neglected in every sphere of life, especially in the labor market. Through this initiative we aim to increase their professional capacities “, said Fatbardha Salihu, Executive Director of IPVK. 

From January to December 2020, the IPVK conducted a survey of organizations and an analysis of internal regulations. Field visits were carried out with 10 organisations, including: “Ibër Lepenc” Sh. A., Telecom of Kosovo, Post of Kosovo, Bus Station in the municipalities of Prishtina, Peja, Gjakova, Prizren and Gjilan, Urban Traffic, Kesco, Municipality of Prishtina, and the Ministry of Finance. 

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As a result of the field visits, the IPVK signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Municipal level of NTP “Urban Traffic”, resulting in the installation of acoustic signaling for the blind. They also began marking buses with contrasting colors and capital letters, as facilities for people with disabilities.  

This initiative is funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and co-funded by UN Women. 

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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 

KLI and KWN Publish the Investigation Report Regarding the Murder Of Sehabate Morina: Justice Institutions Neglected This Case

17.03.2021

On March 17, the Kosovo Law Institute (KLI) in cooperation with KWN published the findings on the investigation of the murder of Sebahate Morina “State by inaction, deprives Sebahate Morina of her life.”

Adelina Berisha, the Program Manager on Gender Based Violence at KWN, said that women have been reporting violence for years, but relevant institutions are refusing to provide support, which is resulting in fatalities.

“Justice institutions must prevent violence against women, and where it occurs they must not tolerate it at all. We will demand the dismissal of prosecutors who are failing to meet their job obligations,” she said.

Ehat Miftaraj, KLI, stated that the constitutional right to life is elementary and should be guaranteed by the state. He also reiterated that Kosovo has adopted the Istanbul Convention on the treatment of domestic violence and has thus far failed to implement it.

“The Basic Prosecution in Pristina has failed to protect Sebahate Morina. Yesterday, this prosecution tried to evade responsibility and publicly lie that it has taken all necessary steps for protection,” said Miftaraj.

He added Morina was a double victim of her ex-husband and the state.

These findings show that the inaction of the Basic Prosecution of Prishtina violated Sebahate Morina’s right to life.

KLI and KWN request that the KPC and the Chief State Prosecutor:

  • Form a working group to draft a report on the violations and actions taken in relation to this case. This working group should have access to all case files, in order to sufficiently cover this case. This working group should comprise five (5) representatives: One (1) prosecutor (not from the Basic Prosecution in Prishtina), one (1) victim advocate, one (1) family member or representative of the victim and two (2) representatives of civil society.
  • Form a working group with experts in the field to review the Standard Operating Procedures in each Basic Prosecution regarding the procedure of receiving, treating and helping victims of domestic violence.

Watch HERE the full conference. Meanwhile HERE you can find the report “State by inaction, deprives Sebahate Morina of her life “.

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms 

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

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

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The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women 

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence 

KWN: State to Prevent Murders of Women

15.03.2021

On Sunday, March 14, shortly after the protest for Women’s International Day were citizens marched against the patriarchy that is killing women, a man again killed a woman.

According to police reports to date, woman S.M. was killed yesterday in Pristina by her ex-husband L.S., who later committed suicide.

Who bears the responsibility for this killing? What justice will the killed woman and her family receive? How many times do we have to read such recurring news?

It has already been established that PATRIARCHY KILLS, men kill women, wives, ex-wives, and partners. The patriarchal mindset is so deeply entrenched that men see women as their property and can decide when to take their lives.

Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) expresses deep indignation toward this case, pledging that it will continue to raise its voice to seek justice for this woman, as well as for any other women violated, injured and killed.

Many men who killed women are hardly punished, and served reduced sentences. In this case, no one will be punished.

Kosovo must establish policies to prevent violence toward women.. By strengthening women’s education and their access to jobs they can contribute to the independence of girls, women, boys and men. Judicial institutions need to be more vocal about the killings of women and should take cases of gender-based violence seriously and impose higher sentences for murderers.

KWN will not stop until the violence against women is no longer treated as daily news or private matter. 

A life free of gender-based violence remains one of KWN Strategy 2019-2022 key programs. Through implementation of the legal framework on domestic violence, including institutional responsibility to assist victims of violence, awareness-raising among officials and citizens about gender-based violence and as well as research and advocacy; KWN has been striving and working for years to prevent violence against women and achieve justice for killed women!

Justice for every woman murdered!

28.03.25

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08.11.24

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05.11.24

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

KWN, ADA, Sida Sign Contract for Advancing Women’s Rights in Kosovo

12.03.2021

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Today, 12 March 2021, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) officially signed a new contract for Further Advancing Women’s Rights in Kosovo. This action will help to implement the KWN Strategy for 2019-2022, making progress towards realizing KWN’s vision of a Kosovo where women and men are equal and have equal opportunities to education, employment, political participation, health care and a life without violence.

In line with the KWN strategy, this four-year initiative (2021-2025), in the total amount of €783,333, including contributions from ADA (€700,000), Sida (€78,333) and KWN (€5,000), aims to strengthen the feminist movement in Kosovo, the region and beyond; improve women’s access to health care; improve the response to gender-based violence; and improve access to education that challenges existing gender norms and power relations.

Of this, at least €200,000 will be distributed through the Kosovo Women’s Fund and more than €302,000 will benefit KWN members directly, including their engagement in achieving common strategic goals of the network. According to the fund’s policies, set by KWN members, organizations that do not have access to other resources and that work with persons with different abilities, rural communities, minority women and youth are given priority in the allocation of funds.

“Gender equality, together with social sustainability, are fundamental to the achievement of development outcomes and are systematically mainstreamed in ADA-supported programmes and projects,” said Sandra Horina, Head of the Austrian Development Cooperation office in Pristina. “Through our support, we would like to strengthen the position of women so that men and women have more equal opportunities for education, employment, political participation, health care and a life without violence.”

This new action builds on KWN’s ten-year collaboration with ADA, which has led to several substantial changes towards gender equality in Kosovo, including an improved legal framework and institutional measures against gender-based violence; increased participation of women in decision-making at all levels; improved gender-responsive budgeting; several initiatives towards gender equality at the local level; and improved gender mainstreaming of ADA partners’ programs in all sectors. KWN looks forward to continuing this partnership and building on these efforts.

KWN also is delighted to sign its first contract directly with Sida since 2003. While Sida has been a key supporter of KWN’s work via the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, among others, KWN is pleased to strengthen this relationship.

“The partnership with the Kosovo Women’s Network is very important for Sida and the development work we do in the area of gender equality,” said Nasrin Pourghazian, Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden in Kosovo. “The Swedish government remains committed to increased equality, especially with regard to women’s political participation and economic empowerment, increased access to and respect for sexual and reproductive health and rights and the pursuit of reduced violence against women, girls and boys. [Gender equality] is a fundamental goal that contributes to positive developments in society democratically, economically and environmentally,” she said. “We will be able to achieve gender equality only when we reach out to our constituencies, which the Kosovo Women’s Fund aims to do.”

A special aspect of this agreement is that ADA and Sida have agreed to align and harmonize their reporting procedures. This exemplary best practice has been encouraged in KWN and the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation’s recent report Where’s the Money for Women’s Rights?. This approach will save time for KWN in administration and reporting and allows activists to focus their energies more efficiently on their work towards furthering women’s rights.

“We are seeing growing commitment to supporting the real needs of women’s rights organizations and movements among big funders like ADA and Sida, supported by the Austrian and Swedish governments,” said Igballe Rogova, KWN Executive Director. “We are so happy for their long-term support; investing in KWN means investing in women’s rights and wellbeing.”

With this important support, KWN, together with its 158 member organisations and partners, including key institutions such as the Agency for Gender Equality, Ombudsperson Institution, and international allies, will continue its work towards realizing its mission to support, protect and promote the rights and interests of women and young women throughout Kosovo, regardless of their political and religious beliefs, age, level of education, sexual orientation and abilities.

28.03.25

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Press Release – Recommendations for the Kosovo Parliament  

05.11.24

Response to Klan Kosova – Do Not Promote the Perpetrators

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

“We March Against, We Don’t Celebrate, the Patriarchy that Kills” – Activists Once Again Seeking Gender Equality

08.03.2021

“Zahir Pajaziti” Square in Pristina became a meeting point for the demonstration “We March, We Don’t Celebrate”,; the sixth annual protest demanding social justice and gender equality to mark International Women’s Day.

Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) once again joined this march that also occurred in 14 other municipalities around Kosovo. Citizens raised their voices to protest injustices against women and hung banners bearing feminist messages on their balconies.

Hundreds of citizens marched from “Zahir Pajaziti” Square, passing by Central Bank of Kosovo and then to the Government of Kosovo/Parliament. Protestors made sure to wear masks and follow social distancing protocols.

“Patriarchy kills”, “With or without veil, I get the job done”, were some of the slogans chanted by protestors. They urged society to mobilize together against injustice and exploitation of women at work, against the oppressive patriarchal system, the continued cases of femicide, and against all forms of injustice faced by women and girls. 

Throughout the event, the activists sang the song “Behari i lirisë”, the lyrics of which were adapted by Eli Krasniqi. This song echoed the voice of hope, unity and collective resistance.

Click HERE to watch full broadcast of this march.

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

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29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence 

KWN: Elections Proved the Strength of Women – Efforts for Equality Continue

05.03.2021

The parliamentary elections of February 14, 2021 brought change and hope for the participation and representation of women in politics and decision-making processes.  

Compared to the previous elections (2019), the representation of women in the Assembly of Kosovo has increased by five seats. Out of a total of 120 seats, there will be 44 female deputies (36.6%), whilst in the previous legislature there were 39 female deputies (32.5%). 

During this election, more women were elected without quota rather than with it. According to the results published by the Central Election Commission, only 11 out of 44 female deputies required quota to secure a seat, whilst 33 women won without the gender quota.

This is not the only obstacle that women broke through in this elections. They achieved this representation despite that they were underrepresented on the electoral list of political parties. No political party during this time, implemented the Law on Gender Equality (LGE), which requires 30% of the electoral lists be women candidates.

Women also were not equally represented during television debates or campaigns. Despite this, four out of the top ten most voted candidates were women. In previous elections, there were only two women in the top ten. The voice of women became even stronger this election period, as over 60% of women in Kosovo participated in voting, and that a woman became the most voted person in history since the declaring independence in 2008.

This is a victory for the women’s movement in Kosovo, proving that the vote of the citizens for women is going to bring positive and much-needed change. This feminist movement has been supported and strengthened for more than 15 years by civil society organizations working for women’s rights, including Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) and the Kosovo Lobby for Gender Equality (Lobby), among others. 

Zana Hoxha, Executive Director of Artpolis and member of KWN Board, says “in fact, this is a historic victory for KWN and the women’s movement in Kosovo. It is the most accurate indicator of decades of effort toward advocating for the vote by women for women to bring about change”.

“At the same time, this situation can help political parties reflect on the fact that gender equality is not simply a“women’s issue”, but a matter for the whole society”, added Ariana Qosaj-Mustafa, the Chairwoman of KWN Board.

As long as we are witnesses of women’s political empowerment in Kosovo society, KWN will continue its efforts to increase women’s participation in politics and decision-making. It will demand accountability and transparency for policies that impact the well-being and rights of women from both the elected and new government.   

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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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17.10.24

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

Kosovo Women’s Fund Documentary, 2018-2020

01.03.2021

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

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

17.10.24

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

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Reaction: KWN calls for an urgent solution to the strike of technical workers of the Assembly