Kosovo Women's Network

KWN Presents the Report “Where is the Money for Women’s Rights”

09.06.2020

On 9 June KWN presented to European Union (EU) representatives the report “Where is the Money for Women’s rights.”

This report provides information about funding trends related to gender equality and financial support of women’s civil society organisations (WCSOs) in the Western Balkans to better understand WCSOs’ needs.

The research was conducted in 2019 in six Western Balkan countries, by eight women’s organisations, led by the Kosovo Women’s Network, supported by Kvinna till Kvinna. It includes interviews with 71 funders and 241 diverse WCSOs.

At the forefront in addressing the widespread gender inequalities that exist in Western Balkan (WB) countries are women’s rights organisations (hereafter referred to as “WCSOs”). They are change-makers, advocates, service providers, researchers, teachers, and experts who have contributed significantly to several social, political, legal, economic, and individual level changes within their countries and beyond. WCSOs remain well-positioned to continue addressing pervasive gender inequalities in the WB and more broadly. For this work, WCSOs require resources. This report examines the funding available for their work. So the aims of this research were to provide information about funding trends related to gender equality and in support of women’s rights organizations in the Western Balkans from 2014 through 2019, and to better understand women’s rights organizations funding needs.

Speakers in this event included: Petra Tötternam Andorff, Secretary General, The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation; Lisa Bjuggstam, Minister Counsellor and Deputy Head of Department for Foreign and Security Policy, Permanent Representation of Sweden to the European Union; Katarina Barley, Vice-President of the European Parliament; Nicole Farnsworth, Programme Director and Lead Researcher, Kosovo Women’s Network; Massimo Mina, Team Leader, MFF, Programming and Comitology, European Commission, DG NEAR; Liselotte Isaksson, Head of Sector, Civil Society and Social Inclusion, Western Balkans, European Commission, DG NEAR.

In her opening remarks Petra Tötternam Andorff, Secretary General, The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, said that it is crucial that everyone, collectively reflect if it’s being done enough to respond to the needs of women’s rights organizations. “I think is fair to say that the least the international community can do is to make sure that women’s civil society organizations have the proper funding to do the important work that they do.”

Commitments to furthering gender equality have been made by the European Union and the Gender Action Plan in the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Several funders also have made commitments to furthering gender equality in their work and through their strategies and policies.

“We believe that the European Union in particular is well positioned to further gender equality in the Western Balkans. Governments have pledged in our countries to the European Union policy agenda, which includes furthering gender equality,” said Nicole Farnsworth while presenting the findings of the report.

Further, Massimo Mina, Team Leader, MFF, Programming and Comitology, European Commission, DG NEAR considered very impressive all the work done for this report!

This report was written by KWN in close cooperation: The Albanian Women Empowerment Network, Autonomous Women’s Centre (Serbia), Centre of Women’s Rights (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Kosovo Women’s Network, National Network to End Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (North Macedonia), Rights for All (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Sandglass (Serbia), and Women’s Rights Centre (Montenegro).

The official launch of this report is expected to happen in September. You can find the report here: https://womensnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Funding-WCSOs_FINAL_2020-06-11.pdf

28.04.25

From Life in Spain to Volunteering in Kosovo

25.04.25

The Foundation House celebrates a decade of Girls in ICT

15.04.25

KWN Calls for Improved Attention to Gender Equality in European Commission’s 2025 Kosovo Report

12.04.25

A Tapestry of Resilience: KWN’s Annual Assembly Celebrates a Year of Unwavering Progress and Honors Courageous Voices

04.04.25

Activists to Assess Costs of Supporting Women, Children Survivors of Violence

28.03.25

Shaping Change: A Swedish Political Scientist Contributes at KWN

Students from Amsterdam Show Appreciation for KWN’s Activism

09.06.2020

On June 9, a group of students from the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands held an online meeting with the Executive Director of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), Igballe Rogova.

For several years, the students of this university have been visiting Kosovo to learn more about KWN’s work and activities. Although the meeting was held online due to the pandemic, the discussion was fruitful and welcomed by the students.

During this meeting, Rogova discussed the peacebuilding processes in Kosovo and the Western Balkan region, and the various political and socio-cultural perspectives surrounding it.

They also discussed the numerous KWN advocacy activities that have been undertaken to improve and strengthen the position of women and girls in the country, as well as women’s rights and their impact on the history of Kosovo.

Over the past years, Rogova has discussed with the students of this university the rights of women and their impact on the history of Kosovo and peacebuilding.

From Life in Spain to Volunteering in Kosovo

25.04.25

The Foundation House celebrates a decade of Girls in ICT

15.04.25

KWN Calls for Improved Attention to Gender Equality in European Commission’s 2025 Kosovo Report

12.04.25

A Tapestry of Resilience: KWN’s Annual Assembly Celebrates a Year of Unwavering Progress and Honors Courageous Voices

04.04.25

Activists to Assess Costs of Supporting Women, Children Survivors of Violence

28.03.25

Shaping Change: A Swedish Political Scientist Contributes at KWN

Medica Kosova and Djepi i Buzëqeshjes Show Great Support for War-time Sexual Survivors of the Kosovo War

02.06.2020

Approximately twenty thousand women were sexually assaulted during the Kosovo War of 1998-1999. The suffering of these women continues today through social stigmatization, more than two decades after the war ended.

In order to further assist these women, Medica Kosova and Djepi i Buzëqeshjes, implemented the five-month initiative “Using Community-based and Trauma-informed Approach for Improving Access of Additional Survivors of War Rape to their Status Recognition”, supported by Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN).

54 people from the Municipality of Gjakova, Deçan and Rahovec directly benefited from this initiative. Specifically, 44 women participated from these three municipalities, as well as 10 representatives of civil society organizations and institutions.

19 women participated in trauma recovery sessions. 8 women gained assistance in fulfilling the application form for the status of survivors of sexual violence during the war, while eleven women are in ongoing counselling sessions to regain a certain level of emotional stability in order to cope with their trauma.

These women, civil society activists and institutional representatives jointly-discussed topics as follows:

Causes and consequences of sexual violence,

The impact of trauma in psychological, cognitive, emotional aspect and in well-being as well,
How can we increase safety and confidentiality for the survivors?

The participants were also introduced to the Law No. 04/L-054 on the “Status and Rights of Martyrs, Invalids, Veterans, Members of the Liberation Army of Kosovo, Civilian Victims and their Families”, as well as the work of the commission to recognize and verify the status of war civilian victims.

The discussion of these topics was warmly welcomed by all present, each of who have a crucial role towards furthering the rights of women survivors of sexual violence during the war. Special importance and value were placed on the impressions of the survivors. Two of them expressed as follows:

“If there was no counselling on how to cope with the process, I would not have been able to describe the details of what happened to me in the application form. I would be feeling worse than I did before I came to apply”.

“I did not think that I could come apply for status recognition without having to go directly to the members of the Commission to tell my story. I even thought that there would be cameras around to record my story”.

More than 1,800 people from the participating municipalities had the opportunity to hear more about these achievements, thanks to a program on the Gjakova local radio. During this radio program, the Executive Director of Medica Kosova, Veprore Shehu, appealed to families and communities for supporting the survivors.

Veprore Shehu, Executive Director of Medica Kosova during a discussion for the local radio of Gjakova, March 2019

In addition to women, Medica Kosovo and Djepi i Buzëqeshjes also held meetings with the Gjakova Gender Quality Office, and the Department for the Families, Martyrs, and War Invalids within the Municipality of Gjakova. They were there to advocate for the adequate therapy treatments and other assistance that these survivors need.

“I thought I knew a lot about the effects of trauma in relation to sexual violence and ways that we can guide survivors to receive the necessary support. This training showed me how to balance my desire to support without doing more harm than good.”, said the Gender Equality Officer from Gjakova.

In March 2014, the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo approved the amendment of Law no. 04 / L-054 on the “Status and Rights of Martyrs, Invalids, Veterans, Members of the Liberation Army of Kosovo, Civilian Victims and their Families”, to officially recognize and include the status of civilian victims of sexual violence during war in Kosovo. The status entitles survivors of sexual violence in Kosovo to monthly pensions and other benefits stipulated by law. The necessary legislation and sub-legal acts were developed by the National Council for the Survivors of Sexual Violence during the Kosovo War, established in 2014 by former President Atifete Jahjaga.

Acknowledging that in 2017, the Kosovo Government authorized Medica Kosovo along with three other women’s organizations, to represent the survivors during the process of recognizing the Status of Survivors of Sexual Violence during the War; the support that the survivors gained about the process of application for status recognition was highly professional and productive.

By supporting these two member organizations, KWN has proved its continuous and longstanding efforts seeking dignified treatment of Survivors of Sexual Violence during the War.

This initiative was supported by the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) of Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) and funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA).

28.04.25

From Life in Spain to Volunteering in Kosovo

25.04.25

The Foundation House celebrates a decade of Girls in ICT

15.04.25

KWN Calls for Improved Attention to Gender Equality in European Commission’s 2025 Kosovo Report

12.04.25

A Tapestry of Resilience: KWN’s Annual Assembly Celebrates a Year of Unwavering Progress and Honors Courageous Voices

04.04.25

Activists to Assess Costs of Supporting Women, Children Survivors of Violence

28.03.25

Shaping Change: A Swedish Political Scientist Contributes at KWN

Gjakova’s Women Assembly Members Meet with Rural Women to Discuss Their Concerns

01.06.2020

On February 26, a meeting was held with three women assembly members and survivors of the war to hear women’s concerns from rural areas. Villages such as Babaj of Boka, Ponoshec, Korenic, Rracaj, Dobrosh, Molliq and Hereq, were in attendance as part of the project “Mobilizing women assembly members to address the needs of women traumatized by the war”.

Arbnore Shehu Bunjaku, Project Coordinator, discussed the main purpose of the project and how Medica Kosova together with Cradle of Smile Center had come to identify this problem.

”There are obstacles that prevent women’s voices from being heard at Assembly meetings in the Municipality house. Women are reluctant to challenge traditional attitudes and lack the defensive abilities to strengthen their voices”, Bunjaku said.

The purpose of the project is to mobilize female assembly members to advocate for the basic needs of rural women. In doing so, they can help these local women improve their living conditions and facilitate the registration of joint property on behalf of both spouses.

On March 6, assembly members, together with the project coordinators, made a site visit to identify problems addressed at the meeting.

Through these activities, female assembly members can advocate on these women’s behalf in order to address their needs; in particular their health rights and the right to inheritance. This Initiative also intends to improve the level of implementation of the administrative instruction on property registration on behalf of both spouses.

This initiative is supported by the Kosovo Women’s Fund, and is funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and UN Women.

28.04.25

From Life in Spain to Volunteering in Kosovo

25.04.25

The Foundation House celebrates a decade of Girls in ICT

15.04.25

KWN Calls for Improved Attention to Gender Equality in European Commission’s 2025 Kosovo Report

12.04.25

A Tapestry of Resilience: KWN’s Annual Assembly Celebrates a Year of Unwavering Progress and Honors Courageous Voices

04.04.25

Activists to Assess Costs of Supporting Women, Children Survivors of Violence

28.03.25

Shaping Change: A Swedish Political Scientist Contributes at KWN

AEFC Successfully Completes the “Istanbul Convention and National Strategy Against Domestic Violence” initiative

01.06.2020

On March 11, the Association for Education and Family Care (AEFC) held a roundtable to discuss the findings and recommendations collected during the implementation of the Istanbul Convention and National Strategy Against Domestic Violence initiative.

Present at the roundtable were members of AEFC, representatives of women’s organizations, as well as stakeholders and officials of Gjakova Municipality. The need to raise awareness about and the lack of knowledge surrounding the Istanbul Convention was discussed during the meeting, as well as the legal and practical interpretation of this convention in the direct work of NGOs that deal with victims of gender-based violence in Gjakova, Junik and Rahovec.

Bahrije Vehapi, project coordinator, emphasized that the aim of the project is to provide access to rehabilitation and preventive services for survivors of domestic and gender-based violence. It will also serve to implement the National Domestic Violence Strategy 2016-2020 in accordance with the Istanbul Convention.

Arbnore Shehu, lawyer, presented all the recommendations gathered during the workshops with 6 organizations from the three aforementioned municipalities, such as: KVRL (Local Youth Action Council (Gjakova), Qershiza (Junik), Farmer Woman (Rahovec), Sustainable Development Goal 5 , Institute for Gender Equality (Gjakova), and NGO Prosperity (RAE Gjakova).

These recommendations are:

Information sessions for citizens regarding Istanbul Convention.
Create programs for NGOs to deal with the rehabilitation of abusers.
Allocate the budget for the implementation of the Istanbul Convention.
Provide training for professionals and provide social housing for victims.
Anticipate the action plan and strategy including the Istanbul Convention.
Prepare a joint project for the training of police officers on the Prevention of Secondary Victims.
Harmonize the law on domestic violence with the Istanbul Convention.
Members of the Coordination mechanism against domestic violence mechanism to be involved in a broader joint training and action plan activities to be integrated with the Istanbul Convention.
Have a better focus on prevention and instead of the recovery; to hold family planning sessions so that there are no further consequences for children as cases of domestic violence.
Establish counseling centers for child victims and couples counseling in every family medicine center.

This initiative is supported by the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) and funded by ADA Austrian Development Cooperation in Kosovo.

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

28.04.25

From Life in Spain to Volunteering in Kosovo

25.04.25

The Foundation House celebrates a decade of Girls in ICT

15.04.25

KWN Calls for Improved Attention to Gender Equality in European Commission’s 2025 Kosovo Report

12.04.25

A Tapestry of Resilience: KWN’s Annual Assembly Celebrates a Year of Unwavering Progress and Honors Courageous Voices

04.04.25

Activists to Assess Costs of Supporting Women, Children Survivors of Violence

28.03.25

Shaping Change: A Swedish Political Scientist Contributes at KWN

KWN Joins Workshop to Increase Volunteerism in Kosovo

01.06.2020

The Kosovo Women Network (KWN) has continued its commitment toward raising volunteer culture in Kosovo.

On March 11, Etleva Malushaj, KWN Project Coordinator participated in the workshop “Volunteerism in Kosovo”, hosted by Lens organization. This workshop was organized to build the capacity of civil society organizations to recruit and manage volunteers in Kosovo.

In the first module, participants were introduced to the “Kosovo Volunteers” platform, which is a great opportunity for organizations to recruit volunteers. This platform comprises about 12,000 volunteers and helps formalize volunteer work as well.

Kastriot Mehmetaj, Administrator of the Platform for recognition of volunteering work in Kosovo, within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, informed the participants about the required procedures for an organisation registering on this platform.

Malushaj highly appreciated the participation in this workshop, recalling that KWN worked on building a program for volunteers that helps to better organize volunteer work and their involvement in the feminist movement.

“With such workshops, women’s civil society organizations can be taught to build their capacities, and will be able to raise many gender equality topics through the recruitment of volunteers. Thus, encouraging even more involvement of women and girls in public life and in decision-making processes”, Malushaj said.

A series of activities were held during the workshop to increase the capacity of organizations in several stages of volunteer management. Special emphasis was given to the methods of volunteer recruitment, employment contracts, daily expenses coverage and health insurance.

The participants received a certificate for the successful completion of the workshop.

KWN believes that volunteer work is a precondition for promoting solidarity, equality and social cohesion, thus has constantly included volunteers, both within the organization and through various campaigns.

KWN is committed to furthering volunteer work in Kosovo in the future.

28.04.25

From Life in Spain to Volunteering in Kosovo

25.04.25

The Foundation House celebrates a decade of Girls in ICT

15.04.25

KWN Calls for Improved Attention to Gender Equality in European Commission’s 2025 Kosovo Report

12.04.25

A Tapestry of Resilience: KWN’s Annual Assembly Celebrates a Year of Unwavering Progress and Honors Courageous Voices

04.04.25

Activists to Assess Costs of Supporting Women, Children Survivors of Violence

28.03.25

Shaping Change: A Swedish Political Scientist Contributes at KWN

“Drugëza” Educates High School Students about Property Rights for Women

01.06.2020

The non-governmental organization Drugëza, member organization of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), as part of their initiative “Advancing women’s rights to property and their economic empowerment”, has organized lectures with high school students of Skenderaj Municipality.

This was done in order to raise awareness on property rights for women, and also as a strategy to spread the message to student’s families on the importance of respecting women’s rights.

Psychologist Antigona Beqiri held two lectures at the Skenderaj Vocational School on March 10, with a total of 46 students who were studying either construction or fashion design.

Participants were introduced to the “Legal Framework on Property and Inheritance Rights”.

Beqiri emphasized that the initiative aims to develop activities mainly with young people that advocate for, raise awareness about and change attitudes toward women’s rights. This initiative especially focused on property and inheritance, and women’s right to utilize this legal framework for the purpose of economic empowerment.

These two lectures and this initiative are supported by the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) and funded by UNWomen.

In addition to the NGO Drugëza, the beneficiaries of the 14th FGK Round are 19 other member organizations. You can read the full list HERE.

28.04.25

From Life in Spain to Volunteering in Kosovo

25.04.25

The Foundation House celebrates a decade of Girls in ICT

15.04.25

KWN Calls for Improved Attention to Gender Equality in European Commission’s 2025 Kosovo Report

12.04.25

A Tapestry of Resilience: KWN’s Annual Assembly Celebrates a Year of Unwavering Progress and Honors Courageous Voices

04.04.25

Activists to Assess Costs of Supporting Women, Children Survivors of Violence

28.03.25

Shaping Change: A Swedish Political Scientist Contributes at KWN

Security and Gender Group Calls for Prevention of Domestic Violence amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

01.06.2020

At this time of the global COVID-19 pandemic, home is supposed to be the safest place for everyone. However, for people experiencing gender-based violence including domestic violence, social distancing can mean being trapped inside with an abuser. Domestic violence is already a deadly epidemic, where one in three women worldwide experience physical or sexual violence, mostly from an intimate partner. Domestic violence tends to increase during crises, and the COVID-19 pandemic is showing such trends worldwide. In China, there has been a surge in domestic violence cases as millions of people have been under quarantine. Some police stations received as many as three times more reports of domestic violence in February compared to the previous year. Similar trends are seen in the USA where cases in some states have doubled since isolation measures became effective. Such trends are expected in Kosovo as well. While social distancing and self-quarantine are imposed to contain the virus, these may be manipulated to isolate victims from their families and social networks, as part of emotional and psychological violence and controlling behavior by the perpetrators, and may likely result in higher risks of domestic violence, primarily affecting women. Domestic violence is a crime, as stated in Article 248 of the Criminal Code of Kosovo. Domestic violence includes “physical, psychological, sexual or economic violence or mistreatment” of a family member against another family member. It is punishable by a fine and imprisonment. Therefore, the Security and Gender Group (SGG) encourages everyone who hears or suspects domestic violence to report it immediately to the police at: 192. It is our responsibility to report crimes when they occur, and also a civic duty to protect others.Additionally, SGG encourages persons seeking help or counselling related to domestic violence to call the Victim Advocates’ hotline: 0800 11 112. The number is free and operational 24/7, as well as confidential and anonymous. Amid the current crisis, safety, security and access to justice services may be disrupted. SGG calls on relevant actors to prioritize services for prevention and response to gender-based and domestic violence amid the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring timely protection for those most in need and at risk of violence.Health workers who are part of outbreak response must have a gender sensitive response to disclosures of gender-based violence that could be associated with or exacerbated by the pandemic, in a compassionate and non-judgmental manner. First responders should know to whom they can make referrals for further care or bring into treatment centers to provide care on the spot. Additionally, the relevant authorities should collaborate closely to ensure appropriate testing of persons requiring shelter, towards safeguarding the health of already sheltered women and children. Now more than ever we need to look out for the most vulnerable in our society. We need to be extra aware and vigilant of possible cases of domestic violence. We need to work together to report such cases and to ensure timely access to assistance for persons suffering violence. The Security and Gender Group (SGG) is a multi-stakeholder group, chaired by UN Women. The following signatories are members of SGG and support this public statement: International organizations and Embassies: UN Women, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UN-Habitat, EU Office/EUSR, OSCE, EULEX, IOM, UN Mission in Kosovo, and British Embassy in Kosovo. Women’s organizations and NGOs: Kosova Women’s Network, Kosovo Gender Studies Center, Kvinna till Kvinna, Kosova – Women 4 Women, NGO Zensko pravo(Women’s rights), KIPRED, INJECT, Youth Initiative for Human Rights – Kosovo YIHR. Kosovo Institutions:Agency for Gender Equality, Kosovo Police

28.03.25

Reaction of the Kosovo Women’s Network to the Recent Killings in Kosovo due to illegal weapons

08.11.24

Press Release – Recommendations for the Kosovo Parliament

05.11.24

Response to Klan Kosova – Do Not Promote the Perpetrators

04.11.24

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

31.10.24

The Irresolute Resolution? After 24 Years, Resolution 1325 Remains Valid but Under-implemented

17.10.24

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

“Drugëza” Educates High School Students about Property Rights for Women

01.06.2020

This was done in order to raise awareness on property rights for women, and also as a strategy to spread the message to student’s families on the importance of respecting women’s rights.

Psychologist Antigona Beqiri held two lectures at the Skenderaj Vocational School on March 10, with a total of 46 students who were studying either construction or fashion design.

Participants were introduced to the “Legal Framework on Property and Inheritance Rights”.

These two lectures and this initiative are supported by the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) and funded by UNWomen.

In addition to the NGO Drugëza, the beneficiaries of the 14th FGK Round are 19 other member organizations. You can read the full list HERE.

28.04.25

From Life in Spain to Volunteering in Kosovo

25.04.25

The Foundation House celebrates a decade of Girls in ICT

15.04.25

KWN Calls for Improved Attention to Gender Equality in European Commission’s 2025 Kosovo Report

12.04.25

A Tapestry of Resilience: KWN’s Annual Assembly Celebrates a Year of Unwavering Progress and Honors Courageous Voices

04.04.25

Activists to Assess Costs of Supporting Women, Children Survivors of Violence

28.03.25

Shaping Change: A Swedish Political Scientist Contributes at KWN

KWN Welcomes the Adoption of the National Plan on Gender Equality 2020 – 2024

01.06.2020

Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) welcomes the adoption of the National Plan on Gender Equality 2020-2024. They hope it will serve as an additional incentive for the Kosovo institutions to ensure that gender equality becomes a staple part of their policies and practices.

KWN has been one of the key stakeholders in the drafting process of the National Plan and works to ensure that it is based on the grounded analysis and recommendations from experts in the field.

The goal is for gender equality, as a human right, to be placed throughout the National Plan, and be at the forefront of the transformative processes of all structures, institutions, policies, procedures, practices and governmental programs, agencies, civil society, private sector and the donor community.

The three strategic pillars of this Plan are: Economic Empowerment and Social Welfare, Human Development, Roles and Gender Relations and Women’s rights, and Access to Justice and Security.

KWN will continue to partner with the Agency for Gender Equality (AGE) during the implementation of the National Plan to promote and strengthen gender equality in Kosovo.

28.04.25