Kosovo Women's Network

KWN Congratulates Formation of LVV-LDK Government, Kosovo’s First Woman Speaker of the Kosovo Assembly

04.02.2020

The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) congratulates the Self-determination Movement (Levizja Vetvendosje, VV) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) on their recent constitution of a government. We hope that their co-governance will improve the welfare of citizens. KWN also congratulates the first woman ever elected to serve as Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo, Mrs. Vjosa Osmani.

Following with great interest the participation of women in the early parliamentary elections on October 6, 2019 and in the newly formed government, KWN expresses its concern regarding the failure to implement the Law on Gender Equality (LGE) in appointing the executive cabinet. This LGE guarantees gender equality (defined as 50/50), as a condition for the development of a democratic society where men and women share entirely equal rights in the political and public sphere.

Recalling that more women won seats in the Assembly than ever before and that we are witnessing the political empowerment of women in Kosovar society, the newly formed government should set a positive example by appointing an equal share of women, improving the position of Kosovar women and thereby the entire society. Although this government has more women ministers than previous governments had, we expect that the coalition will implement the LGE when it appoints deputy ministers.

Towards furthering gender equality in Kosovo, KWN expects the LVV-LDK coalition to addresss the following key issues in the beginning of their governance:

Ensure an equal balance of women and men in decision-making;
Amend the Labour Law, in accordance with the European Union (EU) Work-Life Balance Directive;
Amend the Labour Law to incorporate paternity leave, in addition to maternity and parental leave, in accordance with the EU Directive;
Improve working conditions, focusing on addressing gender-based discrimination in employment;
Implement gender-responsive budgeting, in accordance with the LGE; and
Establish a permanent budget line for Kosovo shelters.

Since its establishment, KWN has strived towards a Kosovo where women and men are equal and have equal opportunities to education, employment, political participation, healthcare and a life without violence. Towards this vision, during the entire term of this government, KWN will demand public accountability and full transparency from the government in fulfilling these objectives, crucial for the wellbeing of all Kosovar women.

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

Kosovo Women’s Fund allocated € 59,266 for 20 KWN Member Organizations in Kosovo

03.02.2020

20 grants recipients of a total of 19 grants from the 14th grant round of Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) of Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), have been officially announced. This happened today on January 20 when KWN organized the Orientation Session to officially announce recipients of these grants, the total amount of which is 59,266.00€. More specifically, the grants that were allocated in this round were supported by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), through the KWN initiative “Advancing Women’s Rights Initiative” co-funded by UN Women in the amount of € 48,410, and through the KWN initiative “Empowering Youth for a Peaceful, Prosperous and Successful Future in Kosovo” supported by UN Women in the amount of € 10,866.

These initiatives will directly contribute to the implementation of the current KWN Strategy for 2019-2022, which was drafted together with KWN members.

By supporting these women-led organizations’ initiatives, KWF contributes to positive changes that can happen in society. The implementation of these initiatives contributes to implementing KWN’s Strategy 2019-2022, which was compiled and approved in accordance with KWN’s member organizations

KWN Executive Director Igballe Rogova while congratulating this round’s beneficiaries stated that “These beneficiaries are member organizations that will implement actions that include all fields of KWN new strategy for 2019-2022. This proves that we compile and implement our strategy together as a Network”.

During the first part of the meeting, Diellza Olluri, KWN Coordinator, shared detailed information regarding the process of narrative and financial reporting, as well as how to create and maintain a monitoring and evaluation database, which will facilitate beneficiaries during the reporting process throughout the implementation of these projects.

KWF Grants beneficiaries are:

Individual Advocacy Grant for an Organization:

EcoKosWomen – EKW with the initiative: “Advocacy for easier access of women to grants in the municipality of Prishtina” (€ 3,649.00, supported by ADA and UNW)
Organization of People with Disabilities, Handikos Prishtina with the initiative: “Integration of women and girls with disabilities in society” (€ 2,470.00, supported by ADA and UNW)
Women Association Aureola with the initiative: “Advancing inheritance law” (€ 2,300.00, supported by ADA and UNW)
Association of Retired Women “Vita-Jeta” with the initiative: “Diabetes in the Elderly” (€ 2,030.00, supported by ADA and UNW)
Association of Women Beekeepers “Okarina e Runikut” with the initiative: ”Promoting the Employment for the Beneficiaries of Social Assistance Scheme in the Drenica Region” (€ 3,110.00, supported by ADA and UNW)
Blind Women’s Committee of Kosovo with the initiative: “Respecting the rights of blind and visually impaired women guaranteed by law” (€ 2,832.50, supported by ADA and UNW)
Kosovo Midwives Association with the initiative: “Promoting maternal and child health through strengthening the role of midwifery” (€ 3,857.50, supported by ADA and UNW)
Psychotherapists in Action with the initiative: “Health and treatment of silent diseases in third age women” (€ 3,242.50, supported by ADA and UNW)
Center for Protection of Women and Children with the initiative: “Empowering the women victims of gender-based violence through reintegration programs” (€ 3,355.00, supported by ADA and UNW)
Association of Women with the initiative “Empowerment of Women in the Labour Market” (€ 3,105.00, supported by ADA and UNW)
Independent Initiative of Blind People: “I want to lead a dignified life” (€ 2,955.00, supported by ADA and UNW)
Center for Protection of Women and Children Raba Voca with the initiative: “Break the Silence” (€ 3,351.00, supported by ADA and UNW)
Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired with the initiative: “Supporting the Blind and Visually Impaired for leading an independent life” (€ 2,982.50, supported by ADA and UNW)
Women Farmers’ Association ‘Krusha e Vogel” with the initiative: “Women’s Health Education in Rural Areas” (€ 3,195.00, supported by ADA and UNW)
NGO Drugëza with the initiative: “Advancing women’s rights to property and their economic empowerment” (€ 2,136.00, supported by UNW)
NGO Gruaja Hyjnore with the initiative: “Raising the awareness of girls and women about reproductive health” (€ 2,995.00, supported by UNW)
Youth Center Lipjan with the initiative: “Supporting girls and women for active participation in the economy” (€ 2,940.00, supported by UNW)
Handikos Mitrovica with the initiative: “Association of People with Disabilities in Mitrovica – Handikos Mitrovica” (€ 2,785.00, supported by UNW)

Advocacy Grants in Partnership for Change:

Medica Kosova & Djepi i Buzëqeshjes with the initiative: “Mobilizing women assembly members to address the needs of women traumatized by war” (€ 6,295.00, supported by ADA and UNW).

Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) of the KWN provides small grants to women’s organizations that do not have access to other sources of funding and who seek to work for women’s rights, especially for groups working in rural areas and/or marginalized persons. Since 2012, KWF has allocated 193 grants, thus supporting 119 organizations, by a total amount of € 1,011,288. In 2020, the Kosovo Women’s Fund is supported by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the European Union and UN Women.

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

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence

29.05.25

The Journey of OPED: From Advocating for Drinking Water to Empowering Women and Local Accountability

28.05.25

Nermin Mahmuti: The Voice of Women That Doesn’t Stop, Even in Challenging Times

KWN Continues to Support Shelter’s Financing 

31.01.2020

Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) for many years now has advocated for Kosovo shelters to have a sufficient budget to fully support women and children who have experienced domestic violence.

The end of the year 2019 found Kosovo again in crisis of lack of financial support for shelters for 2020. Thanks to KWN meetings and advocacy letters, the response of Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MLSW) this year was faster and in accordance with the state’s constitutional obligation in protecting and supporting domestic violence victims. Presently, shelters can apply for financial support for the year 2020. This is due to an open call made possible by a fund provided by the annual MLSW budget carried over from the previous year.

Although this support is not fully in line with the advocacy of KWN, the result of which was the establishment of the budget line for basic services of shelters in the 2019 state budget, nevertheless this opening call for shelters’ financial support at the beginning of January is a positive step toward supporting domestic violence victims. It will also serve as an incentive to never stop our work and activism, despite the eventual challenges.

The 2019 Law on Budget of the Republic of Kosovo included a separate line for the financing of shelters, the establishment of which was made possible as a result of the KWN’s advocacy during 2018. Although the shelters’ financial support line was approved by the Kosovo Assembly, by which shelters and day care centres received 60,000 euros per year, still the MLSW did not implement this particular line. Shelters and day care centres during the year 2019 were subject to the same application procedures for financial support, just as in previous years when such a budget line was nonexistent. The shelters got support of barely over half of the amount allocated for them, something that exposed them to the danger of closure during the very first months of 2020.

During past year KWN held advocacy meetings with MLSW officials, aiming to ensure that shelters and day care centres would receive the funds allocated for services of Gender-based Violence (GBV) victims, as per the 2019 Budget.

KWN recalls that guarantying the safety and well-being of women and children is in accord with the constitutional obligations and legal responsibilities of the Republic of Kosovo.

Below we are listing some of the activities that KWN undertook over decades in support of this issue. This list is a reminder that KWN will continue to seek financial stability for shelters, at all costs.

During the second half of 2007, KWN was actively involved in the project called “Providing Safety, Promoting Health; Combating Gender-Based Violence in Kosovo”, supported by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). KWN was involved in this initiative as an effort to help raise the level of financial support and to support for shelters, as well as to support the establishment of specific cooperation systems between shelters. All of this in addition to protecting, assisting and supporting domestic violence victims.

In July 2012 KWN members met with the Minister of MLSW to discuss the lack of proper legislation addressing gender-based violence. Members also stated that Law on Social Services was not being fully implemented; furthermore, shelters were not included on the state budget.

In November 2018 KWN, together with representatives of shelters and day care centres, addressed a public letter to the members of the Kosovar Assembly. This letter demanded that a budget for shelters and day centres be allocated within the 2019 budget proposal. This appeal gained the support of MPs, who voted in favour of it in the parliamentary session. As a result of KWN’s advocacy the establishment of the budget line “Basic Housing for Shelters” was made possible, amounting to € 880,000.

Ten shelters and women’s and child protection centres on December 9th, 2019 sent a letter to the National Coordinator against Domestic Violence, Naim Qelaj.

Conclusively, we recall that Kosovo has adopted the National Strategy for Protection against Domestic Violence and the Action Plan for Protection against Domestic Violence 2016-2020, according to which MLWS is required to “set a permanent budget for shelters, which should be sufficient to cover all the costs, including counselling and care toward domestic violence victims.”

KWN will engage in all necessary activities to seek institutional accountability in fulfilling all the needed financial conditions for a well-functioning shelter. This as a vital step toward the long-term goal that women and girls enjoy a life free from gender-based violence.

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

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence

29.05.25

The Journey of OPED: From Advocating for Drinking Water to Empowering Women and Local Accountability

28.05.25

Nermin Mahmuti: The Voice of Women That Doesn’t Stop, Even in Challenging Times

KWN Presents New Report at EU FEMM Committee

30.01.2020

A Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) representative, Nicole Farnsworth, presented KWN and its regional partners new report on Gender-based Discrimination and Labour in the Western Balkans at the European Union (EU) Parliamentary Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) on 5 December 2019 in Brussels.

The report contains several recommendations for Western Balkans (WB) institutions as well as the EU, including the adoption and implementation of legal reforms related to addressing gender-based discrimination, improved monitoring, awareness-raising of people regarding their rights and continued support to women right’s organisations working to address such discrimination. 

“We will take concrete action regarding income equality, work-life balance and the fight against violence against women,” said Ms. Evelyn Regner, Chair of the FEMM Committee.

The new research provides information about shortcomings in the relevant legal framework; the prevalence and nature of gender-based discrimination related to labour; the extent to which people have filed claims; and how institutions have treated such cases.

“Although several survey respondents have faced discrimination, very few have reported it. More than 76% did not report it to any institution”, Farnsworth said. She added: “This research draws from primarily well–educated women, employed women, from urban area with access to internet, yet one in three have suffered sexual harassment and many have suffered gender-based discrimination in hiring. Can we even imagine what is the situation for women who are not in the same position, who are in a more precarious position?”

The recommendations presented to the European Union were to:

Prioritise and require implementation of institutional reforms to better address gender-based discrimination related to labour as a conditionality of the EU accession process. 
Encourage all WB governments to amend their legal frameworks in line with EU directives, including the EU Work-Life Balance Directive.
Continuously monitor gender-based discrimination in labour via Country Reports, using a consistent regional approach. 
Via political and policy dialogues with government counterparts, apply political pressure for governments to implement research recommendations.
Continue meeting women’s rights organisations to monitor reforms.

Continue supporting women’s rights organisations to raise awareness, advise women, provide legal aid and monitor/hold accountable institutions.

In addition, towards furthering gender equality through EU external financing, following the adoption of the new 7-year Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), Farnsworth recommended that the FEMM Committee consider gender mainstreaming the new Common Implementing Regulation, which at present is fairly gender blind. She also suggested earmarking finances under the Instrument for Pre-accession (IPA) portfolio that would focus specifically on gender equality as a sub budget line. “Putting a budget line in the MFF under IPA would earmark these funds for women rights groups who are qualified to provide these services in the future and ensure that these services are provided in accordance with the Istanbul Convention,” she said.

“You already gave us some food for the upcoming work and I think it is a great moment to do this,” Regner said. “This Committee is open minded to your contribution in this regard.”

Supported by the EU and co-funded by the Swedish International Development Agency, the research on gender-based discrimination was part of a broader regional initiative aimed at addressing gender-based discrimination and improving women’s labour rights. The report was researched and written by a coalition of women’s rights organisations from the WB, including the Kosovo Women’s Network , Reactor – Research in Action from North Macedonia, Gender Alliance for Development Centre from Albania, Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Banja Luka from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Women’s Rights Centre from Montenegro, and the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation from Sweden through its office in Serbia.  

For more information, see the fact-sheet of the report HERE

The presentation can be viewed HERE.

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

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence

29.05.25

The Journey of OPED: From Advocating for Drinking Water to Empowering Women and Local Accountability

28.05.25

Nermin Mahmuti: The Voice of Women That Doesn’t Stop, Even in Challenging Times

‘Drugëza’ Advocates for Women’s Property Rights

29.01.2020

A very small number of women carry their own property rights, even though such a right is guaranteed by law.  

To address this, Drugëza, a member organization of Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), on January 29th hosted a roundtable about “The property rights of women: Challenges and Institutional support”, as part of the initiative “Advancing women’s rights to property and their economic empowerment”. 

In addition to women beneficiaries, present in this meeting were representatives of the Municipality of Skenderaj, as well as civil society representatives.  

Hana Zabeli, Executive Director of NGO Drugëza, shared information regarding the initiative and its importance.  

The Director of Department of Geodesy, Cadastre, and Property, Ramiz Shala explained the co-ownership property procedures and registration of property in cases of inheritance.  

“Due to the Administrative Directive, property registration in the name of both spouses has increases by 185 percent compared to previous years,” said Shala, encouraging increased use of this directive.  

The roundtable was accompanied by an open discussion.  A Skenderaj Municipal Assembly member, among other things, emphasized patriarchal mentality as an obstacle toward understanding and realizing women’s equal property rights. 

“We have not made children aware that both girls and boys share completely equal property rights. This requires a lot of work, especially in the Municipality of Skenderaj,”, she added.  

Readers are reminded that more women having access to inheritance and property ownership is part of KWN Strategy 2019-2022.  

This initiative is supported by Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) and funded by UN Women. 

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

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence

29.05.25

The Journey of OPED: From Advocating for Drinking Water to Empowering Women and Local Accountability

28.05.25

Nermin Mahmuti: The Voice of Women That Doesn’t Stop, Even in Challenging Times

Hareja Successfully Completes the “Don’t be silent – Speak Up” Initiative

28.01.2020

The three-month Hareja initiative “Don’t be Silent – Speak Up” held its closing meeting 28 Jan. in Rahovec. Present were representatives from Safe House in Gjakova, the Center for Social Work, Kosovo Police, and KWN. Hareja is a Kosovo Women’s Network member organization.

Adelina Paqarizi, Director of Hareja, explained that the overall objective of this initiative was to provide proper and fair access for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, as well as to support and promote women’s rights in the Municipality of Rahovec.

Hareja during this initiative held individual training, lectures and advocacy meetings with the Center for Social Work in Rahovec, with the Police of Kosovo, the Safe House in Gjakova, and with victims for their rehabilitation and integration. The purpose of these meetings was to increase cooperation with these institutions as well as provide adequate treatment of victims.

Paqarizi noted that the project was also expanded to the villages of Krusha e Madhe, Ratkoc, and Xerxa, where a total of six lectures were held to raise awareness of women and the society as a whole. The focus of these lectures was to prevent violence and to understand the importance of reporting it.

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

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

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence

29.05.25

The Journey of OPED: From Advocating for Drinking Water to Empowering Women and Local Accountability

28.05.25

Nermin Mahmuti: The Voice of Women That Doesn’t Stop, Even in Challenging Times

Women Activists from Kosovo and Serbia Discuss Women’s Participation in Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue

24.01.2020

Women activists from Kosovo and Serbia gathered to discuss Belgrade-Prishtina Dialogue from Women’s Perspective”, in North Mitrovica on Jan. 24.

This public discussion was a continuation of the initiative implemented by Mitrovica Women’s Association for Human Rights (MWAHR) and Women’s Association Pescanik from Krusevac, Serbia. This is an initiative which aims to establish contacts and bring together activists for human rights and women’s rights from Kosovo and Serbia in order to contribute to reconciliation and peace building in the region.

Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue, gender perspective according to European standards, and greater participation of women in integration processes were among the issues addressed in the panel consisting of: Luljeta Demolli, Executive Director of Kosovar Gender Studies Center (KGSC); Vetone Veliu, Executive Director of MWAHR; Snezana Jakovljevic, Executive Director of Pescanik; Faruk Mujka, Deputy-mayor of Mitrovica; Igballe Rogova, Executive Director of Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN); and Artan Murati, Senior Legal Advisor at Kosovo Legal Services Company (KLSC).

Veliu informed the participants that this initiative started in 2017, highlighting the lack of information sharing with women as one of the main concerns.

“We as a civil society have made efforts, and this is a good thing because we are now communicating. We are about 30 women from Kosovo and Serbia who have already built a healthy communication with each other, we have begun to create friendships,” she said.

Expressing a similar opinion was Jakovljevic as well, who shared that it’s not her first time in Kosovo.

“We want to empower women to protest for their rights, to fight for those rights and to achieve gender equality. We want to inform women about what is happening [in Kosovo-Serbia dialogue], and to their initiatives too”, she added.

The deputy-mayor of North Mitrovica welcomed this joint initiative of two NGOs.

“I am happy that such debates are being treated on a local level. I promise on behalf of the municipality that the next activity will be in coordination with us in order to have an even more comprehensive agenda. Mitrovica is a challenging place for such initiatives, yet I want to assure that even though Mitrovica operates with two municipalities, the city belongs to all people, regardless if they are from North or from South,” Mujka said, adding that they are willing to improve the discussion of issues that can contribute to the achievement of gender equality.

On the other hand, Rogova congratulated the two organizations that for a long time now are having this discussion. She recalled the beginnings of women’s rights activism since the 1990s.

“While Martti Ahtisaari led the negotiations, the women’s alternative voice was the Women’s Peace Coalition,. Although it was not an official part of the negotiations, it nonetheless contributed women’s voices from Kosovo and Serbia to be heard. Now is the time for women’s rights activists to be included in dialog through the expert group”, Rogova said.

On the 20th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security in Kosovo, Rogova recommended to the audience to read the collection of Facts and Fables, which KWN published regarding the implementation of this resolution.

Facts and Fables can be read HERE.

The discussion concluded with a productive interactive debate between the participants and the panellists.

This initiative aims to increase women’s participation in European integration processes, including the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, this after taking into account the limited information available for the public, especially for women.

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

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence

29.05.25

The Journey of OPED: From Advocating for Drinking Water to Empowering Women and Local Accountability

28.05.25

Nermin Mahmuti: The Voice of Women That Doesn’t Stop, Even in Challenging Times

AEFC Holds Training on Istanbul Convention

24.01.2020

Representatives of women’s organizations from Gjakova, Junik and Rahovec were part of the roundtable on “Istanbul Convention and National Strategy Against Domestic Violence” held on 24 Jan. in Gjakova organized by Association for Education and Family Care (AEFC). 

On this occasion, the organizations added their recommendations for the National Strategy against Domestic Violence.  

Bahrije Vehapi, Project Coordinator, first outlined the importance of this initiative, which aims to develop and build the capacity of women’s organizations in the three aforementioned municipalities.  

“Many women’s organizations from this area are unaware of the importance of this Convention in raising the responsibility of institutions to address domestic violence with elements of gender-based violence, including sexual violence, which failed to be integrated with the previous national strategy,” Vehapi said at the beginning of the training.  

Arbnore Shehu, lawyer, mentioned that the main purpose of the Istanbul Convention is to prevent violence. She then added that there are specific requirements to protect victims from further violence and to provide support and assistance to overcome impacts and rebuild their lives.

“The need to raise awareness and knowledge regarding the Istanbul Convention, and the legal and practical interpretation of this Convention in the direct work of the NGOs with victims of gender-based violence was seen during the previous trainings for this Convention conducted by Medica Kosova,” Shehu said.

Emirjeta Kumnova, a psychologist, emphasized the importance of campaigns or programs that aim to raise awareness, including cooperation with national human rights institutions and equality bodies, civil society and non-governmental organizations, especially women’s organizations. 

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. 

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

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence

29.05.25

The Journey of OPED: From Advocating for Drinking Water to Empowering Women and Local Accountability

28.05.25

Nermin Mahmuti: The Voice of Women That Doesn’t Stop, Even in Challenging Times

EU Election Observation Mission Report Mentions KWN’s Campaign

22.01.2020

The final report of EU Election Observation Mission to Kosovo (EU EOM) on the early legislative elections held on 6 Oct. 2019 has been received by representatives of civil society organizations and other institutions.

This report, in a section dedicated to women’s participation in elections, mentions the work carried out by KWN to increase women’s participation in politics through the “Vote for More Women in Parliament” door-to-door campaign, held for five days (25-29 Sept.).

Among the others, Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) Executive Director Igballe Rogova was also present at the 22 Jan. meeting with Viola von Cramon-Taubadel, Chief Observer of the EU EOM in Kosovo and a German member of European Parliament (PE).

The full report in English is accessible HERE, and KWN’s campaign is mentioned on page 33.

Concerning women’s participation in elections, EU EOM has issued the two following recommendations:

Political parties to consider adopting internal policies to promote women’s participation and integrate gender issues into party platforms. To increase public funding for parties that promote gender equality.

The Central Election Commission (CEC) to increase women participation at all levels of the electoral administration.

In total this report consists of 23 recommendations on how to improve future electoral processes.

In conclusion we recall that a few days before the election took place, Cramon-Taubadel was introduced to this campaign during a joint-meeting with Rogova on 3 Oct.

Read HERE more regarding this campaign.

The EU EOM in Kosovo operates independently under its own specific mandates.  

Note that supporting women’s participation in politics and decision-making is part of the KWN Strategy 2019-2022.  

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

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence

29.05.25

The Journey of OPED: From Advocating for Drinking Water to Empowering Women and Local Accountability

28.05.25

Nermin Mahmuti: The Voice of Women That Doesn’t Stop, Even in Challenging Times

Kosovo Women’s Fund allocated € 59,266 for 20 KWN member organizations in Kosovo

21.01.2020

Today, on the 20^th of January, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) held an Orientation Session on which occasion it allocated 19 grants to 20 beneficiary organizations in Kosovo within the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF), amounting to a total of € 59,266.00. More specifically, the grants that were allocated in this round were supported by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), through the KWN initiative “Advancing Women’s Rights Initiative” co-funded by UN Women in the amount of € 48,410, and through the KWN initiative “Empowering Youth for a Peaceful, Prosperous and Successful Future in Kosovo” supported by UN Women in the amount of € 10,866.

These initiatives will directly contribute to the implementation of the current KWN Strategy for 2019-2022, which was drafted together with KWN members.

KWF Grants beneficiaries are:

Individual Advocacy Grant for an Organization:

EcoKosWomen – EKW with the initiative: “Advocacy for easier access of women to grants in the municipality of Prishtina” (€ 3,649.00, supported by ADA and UNW)
Organization of People with Disabilities, Handikos Prishtina with the initiative: “Integration of women and girls with disabilities in society” (€ 2,470.00, supported by ADA and UNW)
Women Association Aureola with the initiative: “Advancing inheritance law” (€ 2,300.00, supported by ADA and UNW)
Association of Retired Women “Vita-Jeta” with the initiative: “Diabetes in the Elderly” (€ 2,030.00, supported by ADA and UNW)
Association of Women Beekeepers “Okarina e Runikut” with the initiative: ”Promoting the Employment for the Beneficiaries of Social Assistance Scheme in the Drenica Region” (€ 3,110.00, supported by ADA and UNW)
Blind Women’s Committee of Kosovo with the initiative: “Respecting the rights of blind and visually impaired women guaranteed by law” (€ 2,832.50, supported by ADA and UNW)
Kosovo Midwives Association with the initiative: “Promoting maternal and child health through strengthening the role of midwifery” (€ 3,857.50, supported by ADA and UNW)
Psychotherapists in Action with the initiative: “Health and treatment of silent diseases in third age women” (€ 3,242.50, supported by ADA and UNW)
Center for Protection of Women and Children with the initiative: “Empowering the women victims of gender-based violence through reintegration programs” (€ 3,355.00, supported by ADA and UNW)
Association of Women with the initiative “Empowerment of Women in the Labour Market” (€ 3,105.00, supported by ADA and UNW)
Independent Initiative of Blind People: “I want to lead a dignified life” (€ 2,955.00, supported by ADA and UNW)
Center for Protection of Women and Children Raba Voca with the initiative: “Break the Silence” (€ 3,351.00, supported by ADA and UNW)
Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired with the initiative: “Supporting the Blind and Visually Impaired for leading an independent life” (€ 2,982.50, supported by ADA and UNW)
Women Farmers’ Association ‘Krusha e Vogel” with the initiative: “Women’s Health Education in Rural Areas” (€ 3,195.00, supported by ADA and UNW)
NGO Drugëza with the initiative: “Advancing women’s rights to property and their economic empowerment” (€ 2,136.00, supported by UNW)
NGO Gruaja Hyjnore with the initiative: “Raising the awareness of girls and women about reproductive health” (€ 2,995.00, supported by UNW)
Youth Center Lipjan with the initiative: “Supporting girls and women for active participation in the economy” (€ 2,940.00, supported by UNW)
Handikos Mitrovica- Association of People with Disabilities with the initiative: “Improving employment skills among the youth, girls and women with disabilities” (€ 2,785.00, supported by UNW)

Advocacy Grants in Partnership for Change:

Medica Kosova & Djepi i Buzëqeshjes with the initiative: “Mobilizing women assembly members to address the needs of women traumatized by war” (€ 6,295.00, supported by ADA and UNW).

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