Education: A Path to Women’s Independence

“Women’s Rights Are Human Rights” is the title of the upcoming podcast series produced by the organization SHE Solutions. Over the next few months, ten episodes will feature various personalities who have promoted gender equality and women’s rights in Kosovo.

SHE Solutions has previously developed a podcast series titled Spotlight,featuring eight women who share their life stories as inspiring examples for others. Their voluntary contributions encourage young women and girls to make their own impact. This first edition includes eight podcasts focused on Women, Peace, and Security, aimed at highlighting the contributions of women during Kosovo’s years of resistance.

In the first edition focused on Women, Peace, and Security, the podcast attracted considerable attention, reaching approximately 85,000 viewers through analysis, comments, and distribution.

“I believe we have awakened a segment of society—particularly middle-aged individuals—who feel neglected and think no one is addressing their concerns.”

There have been numerous positive comments from listeners, but one phrase that resonated deeply with Antigona was, “It’s good that you haven’t forgotten us!” This statement prompts a profound reflection on how many people—especially women—have been made to feel alone and overlooked. The realization that we have allowed so many to fall into obscurity is a moment that truly touches you and compels deep introspection.

According to Antigona, these are individuals who have made significant contributions and can still play active roles in society. “I strive not to forget them because there’s a prevailing belief that everything begins with us. No, if we can’t do anything else, we should express our gratitude.”

SHE Solutions, with core support from the KWN’s Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF), has implemented the project “Promotion of Women in the Security Sector” in its 18th round. Six women from the security sector benefited from this initiative.

The promotion of women in the security sector—both in decision-making and professional roles, including the Kosovo Police and the Kosovo Security Force, as well as within the administration—has been successfully achieved. Their accomplishments have been documented through video productions that enhance the visibility of women’s presence in this sector, and these videos have been shared across all social media platforms of SHE Solutions.

This year, with continued support from KWF and financing from SRT, Antigona discusses a new podcast series she plans to produce by December. The series will feature individuals with extensive professional journeys driven by their desire to foster a more equitable life for women.

Through “Spotlight”, SHE Solutions aims to highlight women who have made significant contributions to our society by sharing their experiences and successes, as they often feel overlooked. The goal is to promote women who have achieved success under exceptional circumstances.

In this edition of the “Spotlight” podcasts, the organization aims to promote women’s rights as fundamental human rights. It emphasizes that women’s rights are not extraordinary; rather, they are basic human rights guaranteed by international conventions, which include the rights to employment, education, and family formation.

“Everything starts with education”, says Antigona. “I believe information is our most powerful weapon. When you know what you can do and what rights you have, you can take action”.

Founded in June 2021, SHE Solutions is primarily dedicated to empowering women in politics and decision-making, as well as other areas. It promotes the work of exemplary women who have achieved success in politics, various institutions, decision-making roles, and business.

This time, SHE Solutions will select individuals—both women and men—who have stories to share, focusing on special themes. These testimonies will be documented by SHE Solutions and stored in the State Archives, with transcriptions available in both Albanian and English.

“This is the issue: society must not forget them. We need to create space for them, especially while they still have the opportunity to contribute”.

Through this project, SHE Solutions contributes to the implementation of the KWN Strategy, focusing on two key points: furthering gender equality through the rule of law and transforming gender norms through education.

This initiative is supported by the Kosovo Women’s Fund with a grant of €10,000, funded by the Sigrid Rausing Trust.

KWN Statement on the International Day of Non-Violence 

Today, 2 October, marks the International Day of Non-Violence, a day that arrives as wars and conflicts continue to rage around the world. 

We are thinking of our sisters in Palestine, Ukraine, Lebanon, South Sudan, Uganda, Israel, and beyond. We are thinking of both the victims and the aggressors, as well as those who have been both. We are hoping for another way forward. 

We long for an end to violence. 

We dream of a day when every woman can enjoy a morning coffee or a walk in the park without the threat of violence, whether in the home, on the streets, or from missiles and troops. 

We recall the passive resistance of Kosovo Albanians, who for more than a decade organized underground education, healthcare, and humanitarian aid, despite these being forbidden by the Milosevic-led Serbian regime. We remember the critical role women played as agents of peace, leading this non-violent resistance. We remember how women, by the thousands, took to the streets several times, marching for a peaceful end to Serbian oppression. 

We also remember how this peaceful resistance, like that of our sisters in Serbia, was largely ignored by the international community. Only when Albanians took up arms to defend themselves, their families, and their homes did the world take notice. 

Today, we feel the very real threat of Kosovo’s “frozen” conflict with Serbia potentially reigniting amid the current geopolitical landscape, as international actors either look on or even fan the flames in pursuit of their own political agendas. 

Our power and peaceful resistance to oppression continues to go largely unrecognized, while those in power profit from the military-industrial complex. Trillions of euros, dollars, and other currencies are spent on militarization and weapons. Yet, the neoliberal belief that stronger arms will lead to peace has repeatedly proven false. Weapons lead to more weapons, and violence only begets violence. 

What if, instead of financing weapons, we invested in education, food, healthcare, and climate action—steps that would reduce the need for people to flee their homes? What if, instead of building walls, we helped others build better lives? 

What if, instead of violence, we embraced love? 

This is not utopian, it’s a choice we can make in our everyday lives. Each of us can choose to speak with love, refusing to replicate the aggressive language and violence that surrounds us. 

We can volunteer, support, and vote for political parties that promote social welfare and non-violence, rather than military spending. 

We can recognize the role each of us plays in enabling the continued extraction of resources, like oil, which provides incentives for corporations and politicians to support military campaigns that destabilize countries so they can profit from resources at lower costs. We can choose to stop or significantly reduce our consumption of oil and other resources that fuel such extractive, violent industries. If we refuse to consume, there will be no need to extract and no need for violence. 

We can demand that violence not being committed in our names, and we can stand against violence committed based on nationalistic views, ethnic differences, or gender identities.  

Instead of violence, let’s choose love. 

Kosovo Women’s Network Continues Research on Improving Public Transport Through a Gender Lens 

Throughout September, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) has been conducting research titled “Gender Analysis: Mitigating Climate Change Through Improved Transport.” As part of this study, we observed urban buses in Prishtina to analyze passenger numbers, gender distribution, accessibility for people with disabilities and parents with children, and overall passenger and staff behavior. Additionally, we assessed the condition of road infrastructure in various Prishtina neighborhoods by walking on sidewalks, checking traffic lights, and evaluating accessibility for those with disabilities and families with strollers. 

Furthermore, KWN interviewed Directors/Officials from the Departments of Gender Equality, Budget and Finance, Urban and Spatial Planning, and the Transport Unit in both Prishtina and Dragash municipalities. These interviews focused on gathering information about Gender Equality Plans, Mobility Plans, Annual Budgets, and Medium-Term Budget Frameworks. We also analyzed existing strategies and plans through a gender lens to identify areas for improvement. 

To gain deeper insights, we facilitated four focus group discussions in Dragash, involving men and women from diverse backgrounds such as teachers, municipal employees, healthcare professionals, and students. These discussions centered around challenges and potential solutions related to public transportation and road infrastructure. 

The primary objective of this research is to inform policy development, particularly in the realm of transportation budgeting, and to address climate change issues through a gendered lens. The findings of this research will be published by the end of 2024.  

This research is being conducted as part of a regional effort undertaken by the Gender Budget Watchdog Network, of which the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) is a member, with the support of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). 

The research is part of a regional initiative led by the Gender Budget Watchdog Network, to which KWN belongs, with support from the Austrian Development Agency and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. 

KWN Continues Efforts to End Gender-based Violence 

The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) team have continued their intensive efforts towards ending all forms of gender-based violence, guided by the KWN strategic Program to Address Gender-based Violence.  

The team has continued their research to inform KWN’s fifth monitoring report on gender-based violence in Kosovo. The report will examine the awareness and attitudes of officials responsible for addressing gender-based violence, including how these have changed since 2021; the extent to which the applicable legal framework related to gender-based violence has been implemented since 2021; and propose evidence-based recommendations for improving the institutional response to gender-based violence in Kosovo. It also seeks to inform monitoring and evaluation of the National Strategy and Action Plan on Domestic Violence, Violence Against Women and Gender Based Violence 2022-2026 and to identify recommendations for the future Strategy and other needed legal amendments. 

The research team has finished more than 100 interviews with more than 16 different institutions, civil society experts and international organizations in eight municipalities. To date, the main challenge has been identifying accurate contact information for institutions at the municipal level and securing interviews with some officials. Now, they are in the process of transcribing interviews, coding, and analysis. The report is expected to be finalized later this year and published in early 2025.  

Meanwhile, Kosovo’s current legal framework pertaining to gender-based violence is in the process of undergoing significant changes. KWN continues to monitor and follow these processes closely.  

In September, Adelina Berisha, Program Manager on Addressing Gender-based Violence, participated in several working group meetings related to the Project Law to amend the Criminal Code, where she advocated KWN’s recommendations for including crimes related to gender-based cyberviolence. KWN also participated in the working group drafting the legal basis for the SOS hotline as per Istanbul Convention requirements; Administrative Instruction for establishing Local Coordination Mechanisms on Domestic Violence; submitted comments on the draft Law on Social Housing; and is following several other processes.  

The KWN team has found the discussions with institutions during working groups to be very fruitful in terms of sharing diverse views, experiences, and obstacles faced in implementing the current legislation. Hearing the very real challenges that prosecutors and judges face has provided KWN with important information on existing obstacles to implementing the legal framework, including those related to socialised gender norms and practices. Such information is important for identifying ways forward, both legally and socially in terms of awareness-raising. 

“We need to think more how we can address traditional norms, for example that value virginity, which may present obstacles to implementing the legal framework and fair access to justice,” Berisha observed based on her experiences in the working groups.  

Meanwhile, the KWN Team has continued providing free of charge counselling on the legal framework and referred cases of gender-based violence for free legal assistance, as well as monitored ongoing court cases related to addressing gender-based violence.  

Also, during September, Berisha also provided several interviews on topics related to GBV and gender issues in general, including on a specific case of sexual harassment at workreproductive health and favouring men in managerial positions.  

Overall, KWN had 19 instances of media coverage on gender-based violence this year, this number doesn’t include the reactions of KWN after a specific case.

FemArt 12: “SISTERHOOD: In Times of War and Peace” 

The 12th edition of the FemArt Festival, a cornerstone of art and feminist activism in Kosovo, took place from September 25 to 30. This year’s event, held in Prishtina, brought together a diverse array of artists, activists, and professionals from around the world. FemArt 2024 served as a dynamic platform for exploring issues of equality, justice, and women’s empowerment through thought-provoking discussions, captivating performances, and inspiring exhibitions. 

The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to the FemArt Festival and its mission to promote gender equality and women’s rights. KWN staff were actively involved in numerous festival events, including thought-provoking panel discussions. 

Adelina Berisha, KWN’s Gender-Based Violence Program Manager, contributed her expertise to a panel focused on addressing the pressing issue of femicide in Kosovo. During the discussion, Berisha shed light on the challenges faced by women in the country and highlighted KWN’s ongoing efforts to advocate for feminist agendas through public policy and provide essential support to women across various fields.  

Igballe Rogova, KWN’s Executive Director, played a pivotal role in FemArt 2024 by participating in two significant panel discussions. Drawing on her extensive experience in feminist activism, Rogova emphasized the crucial importance of societal engagement in driving structural changes towards gender equality. 

On September 28, Rogova joined a distinguished panel at the exhibition and launch of the monograph “10 Years of FemArt,” contributing her insights to a celebration of the festival’s enduring impact on feminist movements in Kosovo. 

“I was deeply moved when I first entered this space today. The weight of emotion was so overwhelming that I had to step outside for a moment to collect myself. But I returned… because curator Berat Bajrami honored artists who are no longer with us, such as Sevdije Ahmeti, Burbuqe Berisha, Vjosa Berisha, and Nexhmije Pagarusha, who blazed a trail for activists and artists,” Rogova said of the monograph launch and accompanying exhibition. 

“On the final day of FemArt 2024, a panel moderated by Jeta Xharra brought together a distinguished group of feminist activists: Igballe Rogova, Vjosa Dobruna, Jadranka Milicević, Vjollca Krasniqi, and Danijela Stanojević. The panel reflected on ‘Feminist Activism in the 90s in the Region: Sisterhood in Times of War and Peace,’ sharing powerful stories of building bridges across national, ethnic, and personal boundaries. The panelists emphasized the enduring importance of regional networks established during this time, which continue to play a vital role in advancing feminist causes today.” 

“During the panel, KWN’s Executive Director, Igballe Rogova, shared poignant stories of sisterhood and activism with Serbian women during and after the 90s. She recalled a time when author Julie Mertus first informed her that women in Serbia were protesting for peace and the rights of Albanian women. Initially, Rogova found it difficult to believe: 

‘If you don’t believe me, go and see for yourself… I’ll come with you,’ Julie insisted.” 

Rogova vividly described the weekly protests of Women in Black, who stood silently with signs that declared ‘Albanian women are our sisters.’ She recounted the reactions of passersby, ranging from indifference to hostility. One particularly disturbing incident involved a man who spat in the face of an activist. Rogova recalled the activist’s remarkable response: 

‘When I asked her why she didn’t wipe off the spit, she replied, ‘If I had, he would have thought I noticed it, so I ignored it. He didn’t exist for me.’ We became friends, sisters, and she became my feminist mentor: Lepa Mladenovic,’ Rogova said. 

In the following panel, young feminist activists from Kosovo and Serbia discussed the path that previous generations of feminist activists had paved for them. They spoke candidly about the current challenges they face in peacebuilding in everyday life and across borders. 

“Jelena Memet from the Autonomous Girls’ Center shared her inspiring feminist mottos: ‘always defiant,’ ‘not in our name,’ and ‘don’t let us deceive ourselves.’ Additionally, activist sisters from Ukraine and Palestine shared the harrowing challenges women in their countries face. 

FemArt once again offered a diverse array of activities, from artistic performances, films, and exhibitions to public discussions, all inspired by the overarching themes of gender equality and feminist activism. The festival’s impact on society was undeniable, as it created a space for reflection, collaboration, and raising awareness of issues affecting women and marginalized groups. Through art and numerous debates, FemArt gave voice to women’s experiences and challenges, propelling society towards a more equitable and just future. 

This edition of FemArt underscored the crucial importance of continued activism, solidarity, and cooperation among artists, activists, and civil society to improve the position of women and advance their rights.” 

Members and the Board of the Kosovo Women’s Network Hold Meeting, Call for Solidarity 

The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) held its second regular meeting with its members on September 16, 2024, in Pristina, focusing on solidarity and strengthening women’s voice in society. 

In her speech, Executive Director Igballe Rogova stressed the importance of continuous cooperation among women in addressing the numerous challenges faced by Kosovo, the region, and beyond. She highlighted not only local difficulties but also international issues, referencing the situations in Palestine and Ukraine as examples that illustrate the necessity for global solidarity among women. 

“It is crucial that we stand together; united, we are stronger! The world is currently grappling with the struggle for gender equality, and we are facing a fight against gender equality. Even in Kosovo, the first steps have been taken, but we can only make progress if we unite and support one another. This is the only way to maintain the spirit of activism,” said Executive Director Igballe Rogova, among other remarks. 

She emphasized that solidarity has been the core strength of KWN since its establishment in 2000, recalling that the Network was founded in the spirit of cooperation that began in the 1990s. 

However, given that many organizations register with KWN solely for grants rather than for networking, we have decided to take a break from the Kosovo Women’s Fund. Rogova discussed the importance of all members participating in the meetings, highlighting that the focus is always on networking and the shared significance of involvement in decision-making processes. 

According to the Membership Assembly regulations, member organizations will be expelled if they miss three consecutive regular meetings, specifically the Annual Membership Assembly, which is held in the spring of each year. Therefore, member attendance is essential to ensure the necessary quorum for voting on important matters. 

During the meeting, several members of the Network expressed their gratitude to KWN for the ongoing support and assistance provided through grants and various projects. They acknowledged the Network’s role in empowering women and the opportunities it creates for their professional and organizational development. 

Additionally, the members shared information about their activities, including the FemArt Festival, organized by Artpolis (September 25-30) and the Art Without Limits International Film Festival (December 1-3 at Kino Armata). 

Rogova concluded the meeting by emphasizing that various challenges, ranging from climate change to political tensions, should not undermine women’s commitment to justice and equality. She stated that only through cooperation and mutual support can women make progress and create a lasting impact on society. 

On September 11, the KWN Board, elected by KWN members, held its second meeting of the year. During this meeting, the narrative and financial reports for the first six months were approved. Additionally, the need for a response to the European Union’s measures against Kosovo and their impact on women’s lives was emphasized. It was proposed to prepare a more impactful public letter than the previous one, to be signed by civil society. KWN has also initiated a brief research study to assess the effects of these measures on civil society and women. 

Reaction and Actions of KWN on Key Issues Related to Gender Equality and Social Justice 

In September, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) sent letters to various ministries, issued statements, and undertook numerous actions to further gender equality and the rights of women and girls. 

KWN has submitted recommendations to ministries, municipalities, and budgetary organizations concerning Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB). These recommendations are based on research and concrete evidence regarding the needs for gender equality in Kosovo. KWN aims to ensure that budget processes are gender mainstreamed, thereby contributing to social justice and gender equality in the country. 

Letters sent: 

  • Ministry of Justice: A letter was sent recommending sufficient funding for the Rape Crisis Center, treatment for survivors of sexual violence, an SOS line, social workers, shelters, and the implementation of the legal framework for gender-based violence, in compliance with the Istanbul Convention and national strategies. 
  • Minister of Internal Affairs: A letter recommended funding for electronic monitoring systems (electronic bracelets) to protect survivors of gender-based violence. 
  • Prosecution Council of Kosovo: A letter was submitted recommending an increase in the budget for the Office of Victim Protection and Assistance to provide adequate support for Victim Advocates in protecting survivors of gender-based violence. 
  • Minister of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation: A letter recommended investment in the creation of public childcare centers and kindergartens, which would address unemployment needs and create approximately 9,899 new jobs, enabling more women to work and improving educational outcomes in line with the Barcelona Objectives. 
  • Minister of Finance, Labor, and Transfers: A letter was sent recommending an increase in the budget for the Centers for Social Work to hire more social workers for cases of gender-based violence and to establish a permanent budget line for the Personal Assistance Scheme, along with increased wages for personal assistants of persons with disabilities to the minimum wage. 

KWN has produced a video outlining the recommendations sent to ministries, municipalities, and budget organizations concerning Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB)). KWN’s advocacy for these budget recommendations has garnered media attention. Elirjeta Beka, GRB Coordinator, was invited to discuss KWN’s recommendations on gender-responsive budgeting on the “Emisioni Sot” morning show on Kohavision. 

On September 16, the Women’s Economic Forum (FEG), of which KWN is a member, organized a protest in front of the Kosovo Government building. The protest called for the inclusion of the Labor Law in the Legislative Calendar, highlighting critical issues surrounding workers’ rights and aiming to improve working conditions for both women and men in Kosovo. This action reaffirmed our demand for enhanced employee rights, particularly for women, who often face challenging working conditions. 

On September 26, FEG issued a statement to the media announcing that various organizations, including the Kosovo Business Alliance, the American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo, the Association of Private Preschool Institutions, the Information and Communication Technology Association i Kosovo (STIKK), ESNAF Association of Businessmen and Crafstmen Prizren, and the Center for Policy and Advocacy, have expressed their support for FEG. They agree that the Government must urgently include the Labor Law in the Legislative Calendar and emphasize the importance of involving FEG and business representatives in the drafting process. 

KWN, along with several other organizations, strongly supports the initiative by the “Elena Gjika” elementary school in Pristina to use the terms “Parent 1: and “Parent 2” on official forms. This initiative aims to promote equal involvement of both parents in the educational process of children and foster stronger parental cooperation in sharing responsibilities for their healthy development. 

KWN has expressed full solidarity with the technical staff of the Assembly of Kosovo, who are on strike demanding improved working conditions and higher wages. They are seeking a more dignified salary of 550 euros, up from their current salary of 275 euros. We emphasize the importance of their ongoing and essential work for the functioning of the Assembly. KWN supports their legitimate demands and stresses the need for fair treatment of workers at all levels. 

We will continue our advocacy and actions in the future, guided by our strategy! 

Access to Healthcare through Education and Information in Rahovec

In the municipality of Rahovec, women encounter numerous challenges in accessing healthcare, particularly in rural areas. Financial barriers and a lack of functional services make it difficult for them to receive necessary care. Additionally, women often report poorer health status compared to men. In response to this situation, especially in the villages surrounding Rahovec, the organization “Gruaja Fermere” (Woman Farmer), a member of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), has launched an initiative aimed at improving healthcare access for women and girls in both rural areas and the city.

Through its initiative “Promotion of Primary Healthcare for Women in Rural Areas”, Gruaja Fermere has become one of the few, and in some cases the only, sources of essential information for women and girls in Rahovec regarding access to health services and their rights to these services.

During meetings with participating women and girls, their advocacy skills were developed, empowering them to express their dissatisfaction and complaints in writing to ensure their concerns are addressed. “I’ve familiarized myself with the situation; I’ve visited every Family Medicine Center (FMC), photographed the complaint boxes, and spoken with the nurses and doctors,” says Muradije Shehu, a representative of the Gruaja Fermere organization.

Through informative meetings held in Rahovec and the three surrounding villages of Apterush/Opteruša, Krushë e Madhe/Velika Kruša, and Zatriq/Zatrić, 82 women have gained a better understanding of their rights to access quality healthcare. They have learned about mechanisms for reporting violations of these rights and feel more empowered to advocate for improved services.

Additionally, through the project’s lectures, 40 women and girls have been educated on the prevention of serious illnesses such as breast cancer and cervical cancer, as well as the management of common non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Gruaja Fermere continues to explore new ways to inform and empower women and girls throughout the municipality. The initiative aims to broaden its impact by providing women with new knowledge and opportunities. Eleven meetings are planned with women and girls from 11 villages in the municipality of Rahovec, including Zoqishte/Zočište, Ratkovc/Ratkovac, Xërxë/Zrze, Radostë/Radoste, Serbian neighborhood, Roma neighborhood, Fortesë/Fortesa, Celinë/Celina, Hoça e Madhe/Velika Hoča, Hoça e Vogël/Mala Hoča, Denjë/Denja, and Sopniq/Sopnić. The primary goal of the project is to ensure better access to healthcare for women.

The initiative seeks to inform women and girls about breast cancer, cervical cancer, and the management of prevalent non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia. The lectures, conducted by a qualified doctor, are followed closely by participants who actively engage in discussions, share personal experiences, and express their concerns and challenges. During these meetings, they receive valuable advice and information on disease prevention and other important health topics.

Mrs. Muradije notes that these lectures have a positive impact, motivating women to access appropriate healthcare services and submit complaints through the complaint boxes available at the Family Medicine Centers (FMCs) in the villages and the Main Family Medicine Center (MFMC) in Rahovec.

The idea for health training emerged from discussions among women, highlighting a gap in their knowledge about their rights to access healthcare services and the importance of being informed. It became evident that reaching women in rural areas was essential to ensure they all have access to this information. Women living in rural areas face financial challenges and difficulties accessing healthcare services, as health clinics are often non-functional. Additionally, Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian women encounter cultural, financial, and accessibility barriers to these services.

Mrs. Muradije indicates that while women’s awareness of their rights has improved, similar lectures are even more crucial for Roma women, as this community is often overlooked, much like the elderly. “Members of this community have reported that doctors do not provide complete and accurate information regarding medication,” she states. Participation among women in this year’s activities appears to have increased, with notable interest from minority communities; more Serbian and Roma women are now attending these awareness lectures.

So far, 248 participants have been trained in Gruaja Fermere activities, including 24 Serbian women, 21 Roma women, and 213 Albanian women. Given the interest expressed by women and girls, Gruaja Fermere plans to continue this type of education for young girls (teenagers) in the future, as there is a growing demand for it.

Gruaja Fermere is carrying out this initiative as a recipient of the 19th round of grants from the Kosovo Women’s Fund, funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA)

Furthering Gender Equality in Kosovo’s Digital Transformation  

During a panel on 25 September, Gender Mainstreaming the Digitalisation of Public Services o, Nicole Farnsworth, Program Director and Lead Researcher at the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) presented key findings from KWN’s 2024 research “Gender Equality: At the Centre of IT… and Beyond: A Gender Analysis of Digitalisation in Kosovo”, co-financed by the European Union and Sweden. 

The panel was organised by Democracy Plus as part of the Public Administration Reform Conference in Kosova, “KOSOVAPAR 2024”, hosted by the Government of Kosovo under the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in partnership with the University of Prishtina. 

The panel focused on integrating gender considerations into the design and implementation of digital platforms and public services. As Kosovo undergoes a digital transition, the discussion highlighted the importance of ensuring that digital services are accessible and responsive to the diverse needs of women and men, including marginalised groups. Panelists discussed current challenges, and best practices. 

Farnsworth shared key findings and recommendations from the “Gender Equality: At the Centre of IT” report’s chapter on public administration reforms, including the need for the government to: 

  • Conduct gender analyses to inform all laws, policies, and strategies related to digitalisation 
  • Include CSOs with digital expertise in working groups, public hearings, and consultations and as contracted experts 
  • Apply affirmative measures for gender-balanced IT employment in public administration 
  • Collect, analyse, and use gender-disaggregated data to inform digital services 
  • Improve electronic data exchange across institutions and with the Kosovo Agency of Statistics (by gender and ethnicity, age, disability,  etc.) 
  • Use data for evidence-based policymaking and digital services 
  • Digitalise more services that will benefit women/girls (e.g., social housing, assistance). 

The report utilises KWN’s Gender-responsive Inclusive Digital Transformation Model, adapted from the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) model, which can be useful for the Government of Kosovo, among other actors, in Kosovo and beyond, in designing more gender-responsive digital reforms.  

Margus Sarapuu from GIZ congratulated KWN for its research, observing that the research and model are “globally significant” and offer opportunities to inform and support other similar research elsewhere.(Read more here:

Kosovo opens the Regional Center for Women’s Empowerment in Times of Conflict

The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, marked a historic moment with the launch of the Regional Center of Excellence for Women, Peace, and Security (WPS). We, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), congratulate the President and her Cabinet for this important Center, which is the result of global efforts to protect and empower women in conflict zones.

The center was established in close cooperation with civil society, which continues to contribute and also, yesterday, praised the President of Kosovo for good relations with civil society organizations for women’s rights.

KWN and its members welcome and will continue to support this Center in every way, viewing it as a significant step toward advancing women’s rights, peace, and security in Kosovo and beyond. Through ongoing support, the Network will work to ensure that the women of Kosovo are an integral part of peace and security solutions, demonstrating that Kosovo, as a country with experience in these matters, is a contributor to global efforts for a fairer and safer world.

This Center represents a strong commitment to advancing the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, not only within Kosovo but also beyond its borders, at both regional and international levels. At a time when women and girls in conflict and war zones face severe challenges, this initiative by the Presidency of Kosovo aims to provide a strong voice for them, highlighting their vital role in such processes.

The Center, opened in Kosovo on September 17, is one of three such centers – one in Indonesia and one in Colombia – each representing a concrete step toward a world where women are recognized not only as victims of conflict but also as key actors in peacebuilding!

We at KWN believe that this initiative is particularly important for Kosovo, as a country with an unforgettable history of war and rich experience in peacebuilding. Women from Kosovo have played an extraordinary role, being on the front lines in defending rights and rebuilding society after the conflict. 

Kosovo’s women’s rights activists have over 23 years of experience advocating for the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security, which we can share with the world to support other activists. Furthermore, Kosovo’s institutions and civil society have collaborated to create innovative ways to support survivors of sexual violence by using a victim-centered approach that ensures their well-being, from which the whole world can learn.