KWN Remembers Pagarusha as a Powerful Woman  

Letter of Condolences 

Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) today with great sorrow received the news of the death of Nexhmije Pagarusha (1933-2020), known as ‘The Nightingale of Kosovo’.  

Her death is not a great loss solely for her family and friends, but also for the entire Albanian world art. 

We look back proudly and recall that it was the year 2015 when KWN awarded Pagarusha with acknowledgement for ‘Courage and deeds that have motivated and empowered girls and women in Kosovo’.  

We are proud and honoured that along the way to strengthening women, our roads crossed with such a powerful woman as Nexhmije Pagarusha was and will always be. 

***** 

READ ALSO: KWN Pays Tribute to Pagarusha on the Anniversary of Kosovo’s Independence

In the video below you can watch some footage from the KWN Annual Meeting held back in 2015, during which meeting ‘The Nightingale of Kosovo’ received this acknowledgment: (Available in Albanian only). 

 

A Prosperous Cooperation  Made Possible by Fulbright   

The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) is honoured to have hosted for six weeks (August-October 2019) a Professor and Communication Expert from Idaho State University, Dr. Martine Robinson Beachboard.  

The entire staff, particularly Public Relations (PR) staff, and KWN’s member organizations benefited tremendously from her professionalism and expertise, shared through interactive workshops and her assistance in developing strategic communications plans as well.  

As part of the initiative titled “Advancing the Strategic Communication of KWN”, Beachboard led 10 interactive workshops with 20 staff members, had face-to-face meetings with 17-member organization representatives, edited a range of publications and mentored staff writers individually, assisting them with a range of writing tasks and developing strategic communications plans as well.  

Beachboard led a workshop on building public relations strategy on 13 September. She introduced KWN member organizations to best practices in promoting their institutions to a wider audience through professional writing and improved social media presence. 

“Even though I knew a lot of things about public relations, this training was very practical and helpful,” said participant Ms. Venera Ismaili from NGO Artpolis–Centre for Art and Community. 

Beachboard also met with Kosova Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims (KRCT) representatives in October, providing tailored support.  

“We really appreciated Professor Beachboard’s visit to KRCT. The open discussion we had with her really helped us think about how we should work on presenting our organization”, said Franklin Cade Martin, PR Officer at KRCT. “Her perspective on how to tailor a message in a way that highlights our strengths and showcases what sets our organization apart has been a great reference point as we’ve begun to work on new projects. Having an outside professional perspective is always a wonderful opportunity, and we hope that Professor Beachboard’s visit was as successful for her as it was for us.” 

The contribution and help of Beachboard remains highly appreciated among KWN staff members. 

GresëSermaxhaj, KWN PR Coordinator, was among the people who worked closely with Beachboard.  

“I had the delight to cooperate with Dr. Robinson Beachboard since her very first day at KWN. Starting from her day-to-day insights to her being a professional and genuine helpful hand for major issues, Beachboard’s contribution was of a distinguished importance and deeply valuable in our daily work,” Sermaxhaj said.  

Further, Rudina Voca, PR Intern at KWN for five months now, appreciates the skills she gained by co-working with Beachboard.    

“I had the opportunity to work closely with Dr.Beachboard on building public relations strategy for KWNVoca says. “She also mentored me on writing and editing a range of publications related to KWN’s activities. During workshops on communication and the individual meetings with KWN member organizations, I had the chance to assist Martine; an opportunity that helped me a lot with improving my effective communication practices”. 

Satisfaction with the short-term professional relationship was reciprocal. “It was one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve had,” Beachboard commented. “Kosovo is a small country bringing numerous assets to bear in facing its post-war challenges. Among its strengths are the women activists who strive to raise standards of human rights and fairness.” 

She thanked KWN for the opportunity and added, “This trip gave me a deeper appreciation for the Western Balkans. Now I aim to share my perspectives with other Americans.” 

Beachboard brought her professional and academic expertise to KWN thanks to the United States (U.S.) Embassy in Prishtina, through the Fulbright Foundation World Learning Program, which helps American scholars share their expertise with relevant organizations abroad. Her support to KWN was co-funded by the Austrian Development Agency.    

Related articles: 

Six Weeks at KWN, One Remarkable Experience for Beachboard 

Communication Workshop with Member Organizations  

 

 

 

 

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

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

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

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.

KWN Continues to Support Shelter’s Financing  

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 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) victimsas 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.  

 

 

 

 

 

KWN Presents New  Report at EU FEMM Committee 

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 welleducated 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.   

 

 

 

 

‘Drugëza’ Advocates for Women’s Property Rights  

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.  

Dueto 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 discussionSkenderaj 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. 

 

 

 

 

 

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

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).

READ ALSO: Kosovo Women’s Fund Grants €66,429 to 18 KWN Member Organizations