KWN Contributes to Discussion on “Covid-19 in the EU and Western Balkan countries: needs and responses”

05.11.2020

The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation and the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) on 5 November hosted an online discussion on the impact of and responses to Covid-19 in the European Union (EU) and Western Balkan (WB) countries.

Ristin Thomasson, Regional Manager Western Balkans, Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation observed that 2020 was meant to be a crucial year for gender equality globally, with the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security, and the EU’s adoption of the Gender Equality Strategy and upcoming Gender Action Plan III.

“However, this year, unfortunately, will be remembered more for the Covid-19 pandemic, which has caught more countries off-guard and has caused severe, economic consequences,” she said. “While the pandemic has spread in every country, COVID-19 is not an equalizer, as some have said; in fact, it has contributed to exacerbated pre-existing inequalities.”

Nicole Farnsworth, Programme Director and Lead Researcher at the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) was among the speakers, sharing the experiences of women’s right organisations (WCSOs). She recommended that the EU ensure that its financial support to the WB in response to the coronavirus pandemic, including the Next Generation EU and the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, considers the often differing needs of women and men.   

“Women’s rights organisations have been at the forefront in addressing the widespread gender inequalities that exist in Western Balkan countries. We could see that even before the COVID-19 pandemic women’s rights organisations were facing obstacles securing financial support. A report recently released by women’s rights organisations in the region, Where’s the Money for Women’s Rights clearly details the great financial needs of women’s rights groups.”

This report, launched by the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, KWN and other women’s rights organisations in September 2020, provides information about funding trends related to gender equality and financial support of WCSOs in the WB, identifying WCSOs’ needs.

Farnsworth emphasised the crucial importance of gender analysis, gender mainstreaming and the use of indicators to measure progress towards gender equality, requesting that the EU make these obligatory for all programming related to the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA) III, within the Neighbourhood, Development, and International Cooperation Instrument regulation and all EU external financing related to addressing Covid-19.

“Only with these we can monitor and see how women’s rights are being fulfilled,” she said.

Women’s rights organizations offered their partnership, expertise and cooperation in supporting EU efforts to ensure that the European Commission and WB governments apply a gender just and gender sensitive approach, addressing the different needs and impact of the crisis for women and men and contributing to decreasing inequalities in the region.

Other speakers at the event included: Maida Omerćehajić, Legal Adviser, Rights for All, Bosnia Herzegovina; Danilo Ćurčić, Programme Coordinator, A11 Initiative, Serbia; and Aslihan Tekin, EU Representative at the EWL Coordination for Turkey – Avrupa and Kadin Lobisi Turkiye Koordinasyonu.

Please click HERE to watch the livestreaming of this event.

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The Lobby and the Coalition Discuss Women in Decision-making Positions at the Local Level

04.11.2020

The Lobby for Gender Equality in Kosovo (Lobby) and the Coalition for Equality (CfE) held a joint meeting today to discuss “Women in decision-making at the local level”.

During this meeting the participants shared their experiences and discussed advocacy opportunities to increase women’s and young women’s participation in decision-making at the local level and the importance of implementing the Law on Gender Equality (LGE).

Igballe Rogova, Executive Director of Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), reminded the participants that this event would be held online using the Zoom platform due to new measures to stop the further spread of COVID-19.

Rogova mentioned that the primary goal of the Lobby is to strengthen the participation of local women in governance, and to advocate for their rights and needs.

“Local elections are close and together we will again demand greater participation of women in these elections. However, to achieve this common goal, there is always one crucial pillar and that pillar is solidarity. We have to show solidarity with each other, this has served as an impetus for the Lobby “, said Rogova.

Further, Selvie Rexhepi, Deputy Mayor for Communities in the Municipality of Kllokot has mentioned a series of challenges facingy women at the local level, and emphasized the importance of continuing work and unity.

“All objectives must be achieved within the framework of equal treatment, by ensuring equal representation for both men and women. Women generally find it more difficult and face obstacles in their journey; however, I encourage all women not to give up. I am very proud to be part of the Lobby,” she said.

Linda Shahini, Former Chairwoman of the Lipjan Municipality Women’s Group and former member of the Municipal Assembly, said that the support gained from the Lobby served as an inspiration for her to continue working in her municipality.

“Violence against women has increased during the pandemic, on this occasion we must remember that women at the local level can support these women who have experienced violence and also fight for their rights. We are a bridge between them and the institutions- because no one understands the problems of women better,” said Shahini.

This meeting was supported by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) with co-financing by UN Women and the European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo.

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KWN part of the Conference Celebrating 20 years of Resolution 1325

04.11.2020

On November 4th, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies based in Pisa, Italy hosted the conference Celebrating 20 years of UNSCR 1325: Past, Present and Future of the Women Peace and Security Agenda.  

In this conference was discussed about the current challenges and future development of the WPS agenda in Italy, North Africa and the Western Balkans. Experts, scholars, representatives of women’s organizations and representatives of European Institutions were participating.  

Majlinda Behrami, Project Coordinator at Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) was part of the panel Voices from The Field. She focused on the needs and challenges of women and young women in Kosovo based on the findings of the latest research conducted by KWN, Where Is My Seat at the Table. 

Behrami pointed out the main obstacles that women and young women face in regard to their involvement in peace and security processes but also their needs and priorities regarding the Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia which have been also addressed through open letters to the Prime Minister of Kosovo and to the EU Special Representative for the Dialogue Miroslav Lajcak on the 20th Anniversary of Resolution 1325.   

Soumita Basu from South Asian University, New Delhi highlighted the important work done by women peace activists and peace advocates and in the institutional context of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda framed by UN Security Council Resolution.  

Laura Davis from European Peacebuilding Liaison Office (EPLO) stated that there are many great achievements in regard of the implementation of WPS Agenda in the last 20 years.  

In the second part of the conference, Clara della Valle presented the findings of the report Enhancing Women’s Participation in Peace and Security (WEPPS) in the Balkans and North Africa: cross-case findings. This research report measured the stage of the implementation of Resolution 1325 through the adoption of National Action Plans (NAP). An issue that has been considered very important was the lack of the recognition of the victims of sexual violence during the war and their subsequent protection and compensation. Valle also shared the main finding in Kosovo where only one NAP is adapted until today.  

Part of this panel were also Kika Babić-Svetlin from Agency for Gender Equality, Ministry of HR and Refugees in BiH, Fatima Outaleb from Union de l’Action Féminine in Morocco, and Boutheina Hammami, Gender specialist for IOs in Tunisia, and Beranrdo Monzani, President of Agency for Peacebuilding.  

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Gender-based Discrimination at Workplaces – Successful Cases in times of Pandemic

02.11.2020

 “Losing a job during a pregnancy, because of pregnancy, especially in times of global crisis is very stressful and can lead to economical and health problems. Furthermore, it’s frustrating that the access to judicial justice is expensive and slow. I wouldn’t be motivated to initiate court proceeding by myself if I did not contact you. You gave me motivation, willingness and financial security to initiate the court procedure. I think that more of these projects are needed in support of women who are losing their jobs due to pregnancy.”- says C.J, one of the beneficiaries of free legal aid by the Helsinki Committee in Skopje. 

 A pregnant worker is specially protected within the Macedonian labour law. An employer can terminate a pregnant worker’s employment contract only if they have seriously violated the contractual obligations, and only with an agreement by a union or with an approval by The State Labour Inspectorate.

 After C.J went through a wrongful termination, she went to seek help at Helsinki Committee.

The Helsinki Committee and the worker reported the case in The State Labour Inspectorate, who conducted an investigation and determined violations of the provisions of The Law on Labour Relations by the employer. They ordered the employer to take back the pregnant worker and re-register her as employed in the Employment Agency and Compulsory social insurance.

 “After we published this success of this initiative, the Committee received another eight requests for free legal aid from pregnant workers who have experienced the same or similar violations of their labour rights. During these difficult times, the Committee raised awareness for the protective mechanisms and to improve access to justice for many women.” – said Pavlina Simonoska from The Helsinki Committee.

 The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, as one of the leading civil society organizations in the country and a regular provider of free legal aid to citizens, recorded a record number of beneficiaries in the first half of 2020. The responsiveness of the organization, but also the distrust in the state institutions and the judicial system, contribute to the recognition of the Committee as a safeguard where they will receive support in case of rights violations.

 In the past six months, The Helsinki Committee provided legal aid in 33 cases which involved 34 women workers as beneficiaries, 19 of which were registered as gender-based discrimination in the workplace, as well as initiating 6 procedures in front of the State Labour Inspectorate. Тhe cases include non-extension of pregnant workers’ employment contracts concluded for a definite period of time, the manner and conditions of exercising the right of maternity leave, exercising the right of unpaid parental leave, sexual harassment in the workplace and violation of the Government’s measures related to the pregnant workers and mothers to children up to age of 10 years who should be released from work.

Another case that the Committee helped was that of a textile worker, part of a vulnerable group that has been subject to continuous intersectional discrimination during the past few decades. 

 Underpaid work, poor conditions and frequent rights violations that affect these workers, mainly women, are the main reasons for the special attention of the Committee towards them. Hence, the Committee lawyers were happy to assist a worker in a textile factory and a mother of a little child, with successful results.

 “My salary was illegally reduced by 50% because I was released from work obligations so that I could take care of my child. With a salary of 120 euros we could not even cover the basic expenses. With the help of the Helsinki Committee, my employer paid me the full amount of my salary for the months I was at home.” S.A was one of the many women that the Committee helped during quarantine times.

 However, not all cases have a quick resolution. Such is the case of M.S., a female police officer who faces gender based discrimination in the workplace.

“It is generally known that they do not want women in the special unit in the Ministry of Interior. After I returned from maternity leave, I was verbally assigned to work in the office, and I was removed from the field work. I am not allowed to be promoted or retrained in the workplace. Although all male colleagues of my generation have been promoted, I and another female colleague have not been promoted yet. After I returned from a justified leave, they assigned me to an even lower position and my salary was reduced for 200 euros.” .

Regarding this ongoing case, the Helsinki Committee appealed to the Ministry of Interior to take immediate action and measures to prevent further discriminatory treatment of women and to enable them to enjoy their rights in the workplace on equal terms with men.

This initiative was supported by Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) in amount of €19,998. This grant is part of a joint initiative, “Furthering Women’s Labour Rights”, funded by the European Union and co-funded by Swedish International Development Cooperation.

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KWN and EWLA co-host a four-day workshop on EU Gender Equality Acquis

02.11.2020

During four consecutive days (12,13,14 and 15 October), Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) and European Women Lawyers Association (EWLA) co-hosted the four-day workshop “Equal Rights and Gender Equality for women and men in Kosovo”.

The Lobby for Gender Equality (Lobby) and Coalition for Equality (CfE), both KWN member organisations, as well as KWN staff, trained with experts Katharina Miller, President of EWLA, Sylvia Cleff Le Divellec and Dace L. Luters-Thümmel.

These workshops were highly appreciated by KWN Executive Director, Igballe Rogova.

“We wanted to meet in person, yet unfortunately we are in this situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic and we are holding these workshops via online platform Zoom. However, we are lucky that we have EWLA experts today. EU Gender Equality Acquis is a very important topic that needs to be well-understood by all of us, and to be used for furthering women’s participation in several sectors.” Rogova says.

Moreover, EWLA experts trained the KWN staff on about sexual harassment, discrimination criteria and case law.  

Etleva Malushaj, Project Coordinator at KWN, said that this workshop was particularly important because it helps to disseminate more in-depth information about Kosovo’s EU accession process to women and civil society organizations.


“It helps highlight women’s roles and opportunities to increase their involvement in this process. Women’s participation remains essential and contributes to further integrating gender mainstreaming in vital documents related to EU accession process.”

KWN member organizations representatives discussed about how to be an advocate for change and about EU accession processes, particularly from a gender perspective.

They shared their experiences and future plans regarding the implementation of the EU Gender Equality Acquis in Kosovo’s context.

EWLA representative Katharina Miller says:

“On behalf of EWLA I would like to stress that we are very proud and happy to be cooperating with KWN. We are very impressed by the strong commitment and strength of the participants of the workshops to make Kosovo a sustainable and just place for a greener, healthier and more sustainable future.”

Sylvia Cleff le Divellec adds, “It is a very interesting and inspiring experience to find solutions together to promote and implement gender equality in Kosovo”.

These workshops were held under the initiative “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics”, supported by the European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo.    

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Resolution 1325 Requires Consultations with Women’s Rights Groups in Kosovo

31.10.2020

Dear EU Special Representative for Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, Mr. Miroslav Lajčák,

On the 20th Anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security, we, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), as a network of 156 organisations and a leading women’s rights group in Kosovo and the region, are writing to express our deep concern that we were not invited to take part in your recent consultations with civil society in Kosovo concerning the Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. We would like to remind you that the EU, according to UNSCR 1325 and the EU’s Strategic Approach to Women, Peace, and Security, has the responsibility to ensure that women are part of peace processes.

Women and their priorities have not been appropriately included in the negotiations or dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, which represents a failure to implement UNSCR 1325. For 20 years, KWN has used UNSCR 1325 to advocate for women’s right to participate in peace processes. Moreover, KWN and its members have been engaged in cross-border peacebuilding in the region, including with Serbia, for 30 years. Our members include women’s rights groups of all ethnicities. We monitor the situation and liaise with diverse women to identify their needs and priorities.

Given our vast experience in these matters, and in accordance with UNSCR 1325, we urge you to include KWN in your future consultations with civil society in Kosovo. Moreover, we ask you to ensure that the key points raised by 434 women from different ethnic groups in Kosovo, identified in our recent research entitled, Where Is My Seat at the Table?, be included in the agenda and addressed in the ongoing dialogue with Serbia:

  1. Ensure the meaningful participation of women in decision-making related to the negotiations and dialogue, both through participation in the official negotiation teams and through public consultations;
  2. Request that Serbia recognise publicly and apologise for crimes committed against civilians by the state; 
  3. Ensure the return of missing persons;
  4. Prosecute people who committed war crimes, including sexual violence perpetrated during the war, thereby ensuring justice; and
  5. Secure compensation and reparations for the destruction of civilians’ livelihoods, including the return of pensions.

We also have shared these issues with our government in a letter sent yesterday and in media.

KWN will continue to monitor the implementation of UNSCR 1325 by the EU, Government of Kosovo and other stakeholders. We remain at your service to provide names of qualified persons to engage in the dialogue, as well as to support the organising of public consultations, towards ensuring a democratic, transparent, and participatory process, crucial for lasting peace and security in Kosovo, Serbia, and the region. Thank you for your attention and immediate action to address these issues.

Sincerely,

Igballe Rogova

Executive Director

Kosovo Women’s Network

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The Exhibition “Break the Silence: Ending Violence Behind Walls” Returns to Pristina

30.10.2020

The Exhibition “Break the Silence: Ending violence behind walls” has continued the journey it began last year.

Today, the citizens of Pristina had the opportunity to visit this exhibition, which symbolically portrays a labyrinth that reveals some of the real stories and experiences of women and men who have suffered domestic violence collected by the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN).

Adelina Berisha, Program Manager for Gender-Based Violence, opened the exhibition and mentioned that this event symbolically coincides with the 20th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

“The exhibition has continued this year, knowing that, unfortunately, there was an alarming rise in domestic violence cases during the quarantine and movement restrictions. Violence against women must be condemned by each of us, without any compromise or justification”, said Berisha.

“Retaining Walls” was a part of exhibition that stirred a great deal of interest among the citizens. Through the stories hung in frames on these walls, the visitors were informed about what the key institutions provide to address this form of violence and how the citizens can reach those institutions to exercise their rights.

The Exhibition “Break the Silence: Ending violence behind walls” was held in Gjilan, Gjakovë, Pejë, Ferizaj, Prizren, Mitrovicë, and Drenas last year.

This exhibition was supported by the European Union (EU) through UN Women (#EVAW), the Austrian Development Agency (ADA).

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20 Years of Resolution 1325: Kosovo Needs to Implement This Resolution

30.10.2020

Download File

Dear Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo Mr. Avdullah Hoti,

Dear State Coordinator for the Dialogue with Serbia Mr. Skender Hyseni,

On the eve of the 20th Anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), as a network of 156 member organizations, request that the Government of Kosovo ensure women’s meaningful participation in negotiations, peace, and security processes, as guaranteed by this Resolution.

For twenty years, KWN has used UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security to fight for gender equity, peace, and security in Kosovo. Resolution 1325 expresses concern that the vast majority of persons affected by armed conflict are women. Thus, the Resolution stresses the importance of recognising women’s role in the prevention, solution, and consolidation of peace. 

Even though recent research conducted by KWN, entitled Where Is My Seat at the Table? evidences the substantial contributions of (young) women to peace and security during and after the war, women’s priorities and needs have not been addressed during the negotiations or dialogue with Serbia. Therefore, drawing from input from 434 diverse women and young women from different ethnic groups living in Kosovo, we ask the Government of Kosovo to address women’s main priorities during the ongoing dialogue with Serbia:

  1. Ensure the meaningful participation of women in decision-making related to the negotiations and dialogue, both through participation in the official negotiation team and through public consultations;
  2. Request that Serbia recognise publicly and apologise for crimes committed against civilians by the state; 
  3. Ensure the return of missing persons;
  4. Prosecute people who committed war crimes, including sexual violence perpetrated during the war, thereby ensuring justice; and
  5. Secure compensation and reparations for the state’s destruction of civilians’ livelihoods, including the return of pensions.

KWN will continue to closely monitor the implementation of Resolution 1325 by the Government of Kosovo and the involvement of women in decision-making. We remain at your service to provide names of qualified persons and to support in the organizing of public consultations, towards ensuring a democratic, transparent, and participatory process which is crucial for lasting peace and security in Kosovo, Serbia, and the region.

Thank you for your attention and immediate action on this issue.

Sincerely,
Igballe Rogova, Ekzekutive Director of Kosovo Women’s Network

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Advocacy for Women’s Rights at Work Continues

28.10.2020

Representatives of civil society organizations gathered on October 28 to discuss next steps on joint advocacy for the introduction of Maternity, Paternity and Parental Leave in the Labour Law.

In this meeting, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) stressed the need for the Labour Law to be in accordance with European Union (EU) directives, recalling that the current draft of the Labour Law is discriminatory against women. Therefore, an amendment in line with the EU Work-Life Balance Directive is a priority.

Igballe Rogova, KWN Executive Director, said this meeting was important so that all recommendations from women’s organizations can be considered in the amendments of labour law. 

“The unity of organizations working for women’s economic rights is essential to the amendment of the Labour Law,” she said.

The next meetings of this working group will be held under the organization of the Women’s Economic Forum.

All organizations present, as; Women for Women Kosovo, Riinvest Institute, Kosovo Centre for Gender Studies (KGSC), GAP Institute, Democracy for Development (D4D), Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Kosovo-FES, Kosovo Stability Initiatives and the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), pledged to continue working until women in the labour market enjoy their full rights.

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EULOC Successfully Completes Their Initiative on Promoting Gender Responsible Budgeting at The Local Level

28.10.2020

Organization for local reforms “Euloc” within the initiative “Gender budgeting policies and practices at the municipal level” held meetings and workshops with local government officials to discuss various topics on Gender Responsible Budgeting.

Beneficiaries of this initiative were a total of 71 participants (35 women and 36 men), officials from the Directorate of Urbanism, Planning and Environmental Protection, representatives from the Office of Correction, representatives from the Municipal Directorate of Education, Directorate of Health and Social Welfare, Municipal Assembly, Decision-making Committee, Directorate of Public Administration, Directorate of Culture, Youth and Sports, Main Family Medicine Center – Viti, representatives from the Communities Committee, the Policy and Finance Committee, the Municipal Office for Returns and Communities , Office of Civil Status, Office for Gender Equality, Office of Finance, Office of the Mayor, Office for Communication and Information, Center for Social Work, Directorate of Public Services, representatives of non-governmental organizations, Youth Center. A large number of these representatives were trained on topics such as: Gender structure model, gender budget mainstreaming and standard gender budgeting tools

Latife Neziri, Training Consultant, emphasized the importance of involving women and men in all stages of the decision-making process.

“Gender budgeting is a budget analysis from a gender perspective, resulting in differences in its impact on men and women,” Neziri said.

On 18 June in Viti, EULOC hosted a roundtable in order to present the findings and recommendations from this initiative. Participants in the discussion panel were municipal officials, as well as representatives from NGO Euloc, Florim Brahimi, Executive Director of EULOC, Latife Neziri, Project Trainer, and Melihate Osmani, Manager at EULOC.

The results from the research were presented by Florim Brahimi where he showed graphics and corresponding percentages from the survey conducted in 11 villages of the Municipality of Viti.

“Based on the meetings with various groups, it has been recommended that more women and young people should be more involved in municipal committees so that their voices can be heard.” said Brahimi.

 The project coordinator, Melihate Osmani, added that in the framework of this research, during the period of November 2019 to January 2020, volunteers interviewed 200 random respondents (women and men) from small villages in the Municipality of Viti, such as: Viti, Smirë, Pozheran , Drobesh, Beguncë , Fshati Ri , Kabash , Vërban , Skifteraj, Tërpezë, Bincë.

“This survey research focused on gender equality, gender representation and economic empowerment of women, and the obtained results show that the citizens of the Municipality of Viti do not have much knowledge in these areas. Therefore, we as an organization need to continue this project to have more gender involvement in the future.” said Osmani.

The findings of this project, as well as the recommendations obtained from the trainings, can be found in the report of the Organization for local reforms “Euloc”. 

This initiative is supported by the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) and funded by the European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo.  

In addition to the EULOC organization, there are 17 other member organizations benefiting from the 13th round of the KWF. You can read the full list HERE. 

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