KWN, Shelters Cooperate to Change the Law on Domestic Violence Protection

10.05.2019

On May 10 representatives of Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) together with shelter representatives of Safe House-Gjakovë, Hope and Homes for Children, Centre for Protection of Women and Children- Prishtinë, Women’s Wellness Centre, Centre for Protecting Victims and Preventing Trafficking in Human Beings (PVPT), Centre for Protection and Rehabilitation of Women and Children Liria- Gjilan discussed about the amendment of the Law on Domestic Violence Protection.

The focus of this meeting was the establishment of sustainable funding opportunities for shelters and other day-care centres which provide services to victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence.

Nazife Jonuzi, Director of Centre Liria, has shared with the attendees part of her experience from their everyday work.

“In addition to shelter, we also provide meditation, legal advices, and social counselling for women”, she said.

KWN Advocacy Coordinator, Adelina Berisha, emphasized the need for such co-operations to accompany the whole amendment process of this law, in order to achieve as dignified representation of the victims as possible.

“This law will also guarantee that the work of shelters and day-care centres for victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence will find sustainable financial support in order to provide the utmost services to these victims. This is a moment that should be taken advantage of, as your role and experience are fundamental to these recommendations that we will draft today”, Berisha said.

After a fruitful discussion, the participants drafted the recommendations sent to the Committee on Human Rights, Gender Equality, Missing Persons and Petitions of the Assembly of Republic of Kosovo.

The participants agreed with the amendment of Article 31 which they proposed to label: Non-governmental organizations that provide special social and family services. Also, in this article it is proposed to ensure that “shelters will be funded through a separate budget line, within social services, provided by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MLSW). Whereas in Article 30 “Data Gathering”, it was proposed to “add a definition which would specify that also the children should be considered domestic violence victims or gender-based violence victims, besides women.

This meeting was supported by UN Women.

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Kosovo Student Appreciates Internship Experience at KWN

08.05.2019

Ardita Avdija from Gjakova was a Public Relation (PR) intern at the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) for four months, respectively from September to December 2017. She is currently on the eve of graduation from the Department of Psychology at the University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”.

Today, almost a year and a half after Avdija finished her internship at KWN, she is working on her thesis on Gender Roles and Stress. This comes as an inspiration stemming from her hands-on experience at KWN. Her interest and increased engagement on gender equality-related issues is just one of the things she gained from this internship.

“The internship at KWN has better equipped me with professional writing and editing skills. It was a great and an important experience too, especially for a student. Today I feel fortunate to have been part of a great organization such as KWN,” said Avdija while sharing the lessons that she has carried forward from her experience at KWN.

During the time spent at KWN she mainly wrote stories about activities carried out by KWN and its member organizations, dealt with public relations and also supported logistical organizing when needed, in line with the team spirit at KWN, where everyone chips in.

 “Such a commitment was very beneficial for me in order to be able to understand the obstacles that Kosovar girls and women face on a daily basis, in private and public spheres,” she emphasized. She used this experience to enlarge her understanding of what a women’s rights movement looks like, which, without a doubt, made her want to continue her work and career in this area.

Avdija’s internship is among several supported by the Corvallis Branch of Altrusa. Altrusa was established in 1962 as the charitable arm of Altrusa International. It funds the development and implementation of effective community services and leadership programs around the world.

More information about Avdija’s profile and her participation in this internship is available HERE.

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KWN’s Proposal for Heroinat Monument to be Named “Sevdije Ahmeti” discussed

07.05.2019

Pristina – The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) on 19 Feb. 2019 proposed to the mayor of Prishtina Municipality, Shpend Ahmeti that as part of the marking of 20th anniversary of the Kosovo’s liberation following a holy war of Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and NATO’s intervention, to name the square where the Heroines Monument is placed after the name of a woman’s personality, a great contributor to human’s rights, especially to women’s rights, Sevdije Ahmeti (1944-2016).

On this occasion, on May 7 with the invitation of Mayor Ahmeti, a meeting was held between him and the Executive Director of KWN, Igballe Rogova to discuss more about this proposal.

Recalling that Sevdije Ahmeti is among the first activists fighting for women’s rights in Kosovo, a movement that began in the ‘90s vis-à-vis the demand for freedom and independence.

Mayor Ahmeti in principle agreed with the KWN proposal, however this proposal is expected to be discussed and hopefully approved in the Municipal Assembly of Prishtina.

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04.04.25

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OPDMK Advocates for the Participation of Women with Disabilities in Politics 

07.05.2019

The Organization of Persons with Muscular Dystrophy of Kosovo (OPDMK) on May 7 in Prizren held its first informative session on the “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics” initiative.  

OPDMK is part of this four-year initiative, which is implemented by the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) along with Ruka Ruci organization, and the European Women Lawyers Association (EWLA), and is supported by the European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo.  

This meeting was attended by 21 female participants, including girls and women with disabilities, representatives from the Association of the Blind People and the Association of the Deaf, both from Prizren, as well as by the mothers of girls with disabilities.  

Director of OPDMK, Antigona Shestan while introducing this initiative, stated that KWN represents a strong supportive voice.  

“This initiative gives us high hope for girls and women with disabilities, this initiative helps us to continue the path where we left it. We will not be part of the politics, but we will be the ones that push politics forward”, she said.  

Whereas, Project Coordinator at KWN, Vesa Zatriqi, revealed the expected results from the implementation of this initiative.  

“Through this collaboration we aim to achieve gender equality. For us to have also women with disabilities as well as women from non-majority communities in decision-making process and in politics”, stated Zatriqi.  

Further, Manager of the Handikos Center in Prizren, Egzona Hoxhaj, said that it is of a crucial importance for people with disabilities, especially for women with disabilities to fight for their rights.  

“It is a pity that when you have a meeting, the biggest concern is how to find a place which is easily accessible. Always advocate for the elevator to exist, for a wheelchair ramp to exist” she said. 

Administrator at one of the schools of Suhareka, Ganimete Morina, shared her experience with the participants.  

“Each day I have to face moving up to the second floor, but slowly they have started to help me every day, they are now accustomed to me, I have become part of them. They have also realized that we need access, wanting to do their utmost to provide access, and this not solely for me, but for everyone”, she said.  

Resmije Rrahmani, OPDMK, brought into a discussion that girls and women are generally discriminated, but girls and women with disabilities face a multiple discrimination. 

“Women with disabilities, especially those from rural areas should engage more in the decision-making process. It is important for us to vote for women, I believe that a woman in local and central assembly can understand us more than a man can understand us”, Rrahmani said.  

At the end, the participants agreed to cooperate as closely as possible with each-other in advancing the rights of women with disabilities.  

This meeting and this initiative is supported by the European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo. 

An information session within this initiative has also held the organization Ruka Ruci, for which you can read more HERE.  

 

 

 

15.05.25

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28.04.25

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KWN Marks 1 May by Protesting, Seeks Employment without Discrimination

01.05.2019

Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) joined the 1st of May protest on International Worker’s Day, seeking equal opportunities for employment with a salary that ensures dignified life, health insurance, security at work, and employment without discrimination for all regardless of ethnicity, age, sexual orientation or gender identity.

The protest began at 12 PM in the amphitheatre of “Zahir Pajaziti” square in the capital city, to continue parading in front of the institutions that are responsible for respecting worker’s right and improving the working conditions in Kosovo, especially in the private sector. Thus, the protesters marched to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MLSW), the Police, the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Kosovo, Labour Inspectorate, to return again at the meeting point at the square.

“For free and equal society”, “With or without hijab I do the work”, “My clothing, my body”, “We work, they profit”, “1st May is not for celebration, it is for protesting ”, “Employment without discrimination”, were just some of the slogans that the protesters held in their hands.

As revealed by the research report “Gender-based discrimination and Labour in Kosovo” launched this April by KWN in close cooperation with the European Union (EU), the Agency for Gender Equality and Ombudsperson Institution, women workers are more discriminated against, compared to men workers.

Project Coordinator at KWN, Adelina Tërshani, also one of the organizers of this protest, while unveiling the progress of this action, has further revealed why it is necessary for the Kosovar society to continue seeking more rights for the working class, as well as seeking respect for those existing rights.

“Women workers in Kosovo are being paid less than men, they are being harassed in the workplace, their right to maternity leave and work contract is violated, they are being discriminated against just because they are women. Therefore, today we have decided to protest and not to celebrate”, said Tërshani.

Recalling that currently merely 12.3% of Kosovar women are employed, KWN by joining this protest, has raised the voice against gender-based discrimination in employment, against inequalities for work promotion, against unequal pay for equal work, against the violation of the right to maternity leave, against sexual harassments at workplace, against poor working conditions, as well as against of the breach of a contract of employment.

 Among other supporters of this protest were also the Collective of Social Centre Sabota, Collective of Feminist Thought and Action, Pristina Anarcho-Syndicalist Group, Termokiss and National Youth Congress of Kosovo.

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Women’s Rights Centre Launches Report: Gender-based Discrimination and Labour in Montenegro

26.04.2019

Podgorica – On 24 Apr. 2019, at the EU Info Centre in Podgorica, the Women’s Rights Centre (WRC) launched their new report on Gender-based Discrimination and Labour in Montenegro.

The report presented research findings from Montenegro, related to gender-based discrimination in entering the labour force as well as in the workplace.

At this event, WRC presented the methodology, key findings and recommendations resulting from the research, as well as welcomed discussion regarding the findings.

In her opening remarks, Plamena Halacheva, Head of the Political, European Integration and Trade Section at the EU Delegation said that equality between women and men is a fundamental value of the European Union, emphasizing that “this is always a work in progress and Montenegro is no exception.” She noted that Montenegro still needs to implement its legal framework and improve its maintenance of data, including by establishing the EU Gender Equality Index. “Women’s rights are never against some else’s rights; they are not against men’s rights,” she said, adding that “ensuring rights is better for everyone in the society”.

The Deputy Ombudsperson Siniša Bjeković agreed with most of the report recommendations, noting in particular that data management needs to be improved. “We must take this report as an agenda for our work,” he said.

Olivera Komar, Lead Researcher, presented key findings and recommendations. “There’s a feeling that things should be dealt with ‘in house’, before taking cases to institutions,” she observed. Most institutions claimed that they cannot do anything, with some stating that their “hands are tied” and/or expressing scepticism about “proving” gender-based discrimination.

Maja Raičević, Executive Director of WRC, said that this research is “just the beginning” and that WRC will notify stakeholders of forthcoming work to address gender-based discrimination in Montenegro and the region.

Nicole Farnsworth from the Kosovo Women’s Network also presented initial findings from the forthcoming regional report on gender-based discrimination in the Western Balkans.

Other participants engaged in the discussion, including the Gender Adviser from the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, the Union of Free Trade Unions’ representative, mothers engaged in advocacy for their rights to work following government policies that left thousands without work and the Association of Roma, among others.

This action was funded by the European Union and co-funded by Swedish Development Cooperation as part of a regional initiative to address such discrimination in six Western Balkan countries.

26.04.19

Women’s Rights Centre Launches Report: Gender-based Discrimination and Labour in Montenegro

24.04.19

KWN contributes with recommendations to public consultations about ERA

16.04.19

Ruka Ruci briefs women of Uglarë to the “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics”

15.04.19

Reactor promotes new report on Gender Based Discrimination and Labour in North  Macedonia

11.04.19

KWN Launches Report: Gender-based Discrimination and Labour in Kosovo

11.04.19

KWN Launches Report: Gender-based Discrimination and Labour in Kosovo

KWN contributes with recommendations to public consultations about ERA

24.04.2019

Prishtina – Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) on 24 April participated in public consultations with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) hosted by the Ministry of European Integration (MEI) for informing on the priorities due to the implementation of the European Reform Agenda (ERA) II, as well as the determining of further cooperation.

Regarding the good governance and rule of law, KWN recommended a continued Government’s support to the establishing and operationalization of a secure inter-institutional data management system and the system which manages cases, including here disaggregated data by gender by institutions such as Courts, Prosecution and Police. KWN also mentioned the importance of compiling a gender analysis prior to implementing action measures or policies to combat economic informality, and also underlined the importance of further investment in pre-school institutions, with a particular focus on rural areas.

Ricardo Serri, Deputy Chief of the European Union Office (EU) in Kosovo, expressed gratitude to civil society participants for their contribution and further added that among the new additional of ERA II are the incorporation of human rights as well as environmental reforms. He added that ERA’s objectives align Kosovo with the EU.

Both of the representatives of MEI and of the EU Office highly appreciated the KWN contribution through specific recommendations during the phase of public consultation.

MEI announced that this is the first of the consultations planned with civil society in the framework of drafting the ERA Action Plan.

26.04.19

Women’s Rights Centre Launches Report: Gender-based Discrimination and Labour in Montenegro

24.04.19

KWN contributes with recommendations to public consultations about ERA

16.04.19

Ruka Ruci briefs women of Uglarë to the “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics”

15.04.19

Reactor promotes new report on Gender Based Discrimination and Labour in North  Macedonia

11.04.19

KWN Launches Report: Gender-based Discrimination and Labour in Kosovo

11.04.19

KWN Launches Report: Gender-based Discrimination and Labour in Kosovo

Ruka Ruci briefs women of Uglarë to the “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics”

16.04.2019

On April 16, Ruka Ruci organization held an informative session with Serbs women in Fushë Kosova’s Uglarë, with the purpose to brief them with the initiative “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics”.

This four year-long initiative is implemented by Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) together with Ruka Ruci, Organization of Persons with Muscular Dystrophy of Kosovo (OPMDK), and the European Women Lawyers Association (EWLA), whereas it is supported by the European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo.

In this meeting present were representatives of the municipalities of Graçanica and of Fushë Kosova, and also co-operators and volunteers of the Ruka Ruci organization.

Initially, Nevenka Rikalo, Executive Director of Ruka Ruci, shared with the participants the most crucial information about this action, including here objectives and results they are expecting from the implementation of this joint initiative.

She has further mentioned the importance of solidarity between the women.

“There is a lack of solidarization between women and girls, and hence some networks exist in order for us to achieve our goals. Kosovo Women’s Network, Coalition for Equality (CfE) and Kosovo Lobby for Gender Equality (KLGE) are among these networks”, she stated.

Suzana Emini, Assistant Coordinator, Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation has acknowledged that the time has come for women to be in political positions and also have a say in decision-making process.

“During the election time there is a huge gap [between men and women]. Men receive more support and more money, while women cannot do the same because of the lack of contacts”, Emini stated.

While agreeing with the absence of support towards the women, Snezana Stajoneviq from the Municipality of Fushë Kosova, added that it is time for increased participation of women in politics.

“Women in politics are not themselves, they are usually somebody else’s marionette. We are always finding reasons to not take part, but now the time has come to be part of politics and for this we need support”, she said.

Participants further discussed the best ways of women’s public representation, sharing together the features that make a woman a successful public figure.

“Door to door” activities and grants to member organizations of KWN, are some of the issues that women present discussed, in order to know better the plan of initiative “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics”.

Such meetings will take place also in the Municipality of Gracanica, Novo Brdo, North Mitrovica, Zubin Potok, Obilic and Ranilug.

This initiative is supported by the European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo.

26.04.19

Women’s Rights Centre Launches Report: Gender-based Discrimination and Labour in Montenegro

24.04.19

KWN contributes with recommendations to public consultations about ERA

16.04.19

Ruka Ruci briefs women of Uglarë to the “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics”

15.04.19

Reactor promotes new report on Gender Based Discrimination and Labour in North  Macedonia

11.04.19

KWN Launches Report: Gender-based Discrimination and Labour in Kosovo

11.04.19

KWN Launches Report: Gender-based Discrimination and Labour in Kosovo

Reactor promotes new report on Gender Based Discrimination and Labour in North  Macedonia

15.04.2019

On April 11, at the EU Info Centre in Skopje, Reactor – Research in Action promoted the new research report on Gender Based Discrimination and Labour in North Macedonia.

The report analyzes the shortcomings in the relevant legal framework related to gender-based discrimination and labour rights; the prevalence and nature of gender-based discrimination in the labour market; the extent to which people have filed claims; how institutions have treated such cases; and contains recommendations for improving the existing legal framework, institutional mechanisms and practices for protection against gender-based discrimination in employment and access to work.

The results of the survey show that gender based discrimination at work affects women more than men.

„Not to lose my job, I was forced to return to work 14 days after I gave birth.”„ At a job interview, I was told that the work they do could not be performed by women because women are less intelligent than men.”; „ In the same working position, with the same work responsibilities and the same level of education, I received 3,000 denars less than my male colleague.” – are just a few of the testimonials of female workers surveyed in the research.

The gender-based discrimination that women face at work seems fuelled by sexism and gender stereotypes, which suggest that their ‘reproductive and care roles, and domestic work’ conflict with the work environment as it is perceived as a barrier for career development and progress by the employers and managers. Pregnancy remains a risky career move and women are often forced to choose between their careers or having children – this decision sometimes is predetermined for them by employers. Just because they are women, they are penalized with lower working positions (barriers in the promotion process) and lower salaries compared to men.

The findings of the study show that very few cases of gender-based discrimination against women at work have been reported to the different mechanisms available for prevention and protection from discrimination. The institutions responsible for addressing gender-based discrimination at work lack data about its prevalence. The precise prevalence of gender-based discrimination cannot be known given that cases often may not be reported. Interviewed stakeholders presume that gender-based discrimination is not reported due to lack of knowledge where to go, distrust in the institutions and lengthy and expensive processes to prove discrimination.

The panel will hosted several presenters: Sophie Beaumont, Programme Manager for education, gender equality and rights for persons with disabilities at the Delegation of the European Union; Jovana Trenchevska, State Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Social Policy; Olivera Lazarevska, State Labor Inspectorate; Kristina Ampeva, Glasen Tekstilec; and Igor Jadrovski, Network for Protection against Discrimination.

This research is part of the regional action “Furthering Women’s Labor Rights”, supported by the European Union (EU) implemented in six Western Balkan countries (North Macedonia, Serbia, Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro). The research was done at the end of the year 2018.

26.04.19

Women’s Rights Centre Launches Report: Gender-based Discrimination and Labour in Montenegro

24.04.19

KWN contributes with recommendations to public consultations about ERA

16.04.19

Ruka Ruci briefs women of Uglarë to the “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics”

15.04.19

Reactor promotes new report on Gender Based Discrimination and Labour in North  Macedonia

11.04.19

KWN Launches Report: Gender-based Discrimination and Labour in Kosovo

11.04.19

KWN Launches Report: Gender-based Discrimination and Labour in Kosovo

Blace Story

12.04.2019

June 28th 2002, 9am

At a meeting at OSCE building in Prishtina organized by the former Us Ambassador in Austria, Ms. Swanee Hunt, I was listening the stories of two Bosnian women.

Six years after the war ended in Bosnia, it was still emotional for the women from Bosnia to talk about their experiences from the war. Three years after the war ended in Kosova, I realized while listening to them that there is still pain left in me from the war.

Especially there was still pain in me from the experience from Blace (no mans land between Kosova and Macedonia). I was in tears while they were sharing their stories and as I listened to them, my mind went back to March 1999.

March 1999,

When Nato started bombing Serbian Army positions in Kosova and Serbia, my whole family gathered at my mothers house so we could stay together. Serbian police and paramilitary units were going around Prishtina forcing Albanians to leave their homes and go to Macedonia or Albania. We were over 37 people at my mothers house: my brothers with their wives and children, my sisters with their husbands and children, my cousins. And we had very  little supplies.

Everyday we lived in fear of the police coming to force us out of the house.

On the 4th day of the bombing, the situation got worse. The Serbian police were taking out their brutal and aggressive revenge at Albanians for the Nato bombing.

We had to be quiet and in the night we only used candles, so no one would find out that we are inside the house. Friends from all over the world would call me and ask me to leave Kosova before it was too late. I refused. I was with my family. In the house where I grew up.

We had less and less supplies everyday. I ran out of the cigarettes as well. I decided to go to my Serbian neighbour to ask her buy me cigarettes, because in the shops only Serbian people were allowed to buy things.

Both of her sons had joined the Serbian police. My mother said its too dangerous to go and visit her. Maybe her sons will be at home and do something to me, she said. “ How can they harm me?” I answered.

I grew up with her sons. We played together. They were always poor so my family always helped them. Since  I got my first salary in 1984, I always gave some money to her.

I went to her house. She was alone and very surprised to know we were at the house. I gave her money for my cigarettes and also for herself. She promised that she would buy them for me.  She never did.

Two weeks after the bombing started, armed Serbian police came to our street, forcing Albanians out of their homes. We started to organize ourselves. Each of us packed something to carry with us because we had no idea where we would be going or how. In my bag I put my multivitamins, my mothers medicine and my toothbrush and toothpaste.

My mobile phone was not working in Kosova because the Serbian Regime had cut the Network so we wouldn’t be able to call each other but I decided to take it with me.

I asked my family not to answer the door if police would knock, hoping that maybe they would think we had left the house. Then they came, knocked at our door and continued on to the next house. I was watching the street through a tiny hole I had made in the curtain. I was happy when the police continued to knock at other doors. Then my neighbour came out of her house and ran towards the police screaming:

” Come back! There are people in that house!” –she pointed with her finger at our house.

If I hadn’t gone to ask her to buy me cigarettes she would not  know we were inside the house.

I had to think fast. I asked my family to take their bags and walk towards the street so that when the police would come they would think we heard the door but we were too busy packing our bags.When police came in anger and broke down our door, they started screaming at us pointing their guns at our heads. Somehow I found  the courage and screamed back:” Why you are angry? Don’t you see we were busy packing our bags and getting ready to leave?”

My reaction calmed them down and they replied:” Hurry up! Leave! Don’t you ever come back here!”

I was holding back my tears, as I walked down the street with my family. Now and then I would  turn my head back towards the house as if I had to say goodbye. Then  I looked back and saw my neighbour entering my house,

When we came to the center of town, there was police everywhere. From every streets came convoys of Albanians walking towards the train station, which where the police were directing us to go.

There were many thousands and thousands of people waiting at the train station. Above us and  everywhere around us were the snipers.

It started raining and we needed to find something to cover our mother. She had been ill before leaving the house. The trains were arriving and leaving filled with the thousands of people taking them towards the border with Macedonia.

Then it was our turn to leave. It wasn’t a passenger train but a train used for carrying cattle and goods. We were pushed inside as if we were a heard of sheep. We didn’t know where we were going. It was so crowded and no windows and so we made a circle around my mother so she could breath.

After a 40 min. journey  the train stopped. It was two am. We heard the police outside screaming:” Put gas on the train and burn them all.”

They let us panic inside the train for another two hours, while they continuously screamed  outside.

I couldn’t believe it when the train started moving again. We are saved, I thought at that moment.

Still I was holding back my tears. We arrived at Blace. The no land zone between  Kosova and Macedonia. The police made us get out of the train and said to us: “ Walk on the railway tracks because there are mines all around you and don’t you ever come back!”

In the dark we  walked two by two. I thought this is it. We are saved! We are going to go into a free country. I was almost letting my tears out, when I heard voices. Babies were crying and in front of me, spread around the muddy fields with no shelter were thousands of people who had been sent  here, the same way as we were.

Again I was holding back my tears. I thought its not time to cry but to think. I walked through the field  and asked the people  how long were they there. Some people said  two days, others even five days.

The Macedonian Police let only few people inside their country. They wouldn’t let   humanitarian organizations inside the no mans land. They also stopped  the International media entering inside no mans land. We were trapped between the two police forces. Those who forced us out of our country by guns and then welcomed by the guns by the Macedonian police. We were not even considered refugees. We were not even considered human beings. No, it was not Blace, no mens land. It was hell.

My first concern was my mother, I thought she would die if she stayed one  day in this hell. I had to think of something. I heard my mobile click. The Network was working  here.  I couldn’t believe it. My mobile is working. We are saved!

It was 6am and I waited a little longer and then started calling humanitarian organizations in Macedonia. They all gave the same answer:” We are not allowed inside Blace!”

 Trucks with bread were approaching Blace but they were not allowed inside. They started to throw bread out to the crowd of people who were pushing to the front just so they would be able to catch one piece of bread so they could feed their children.

It was cold so I put on another layer. We covered my mother with the blanket we took from home. She was not feeling well and I thought  I have to get her out of here, but how?

In the distance I saw a TV crew, I ran towards them, screaming with anger:”Where  are you guys? Don’t you see people are dying here? What took you so long?”

They were US TV  journalists from NBC TV chanel. The woman journalist understood my anger and said: “My name is Amy, I work for TV NBC. Tell us your story”. Still angry I answered:”Which story? What you see here is my story!”

Amy was very kind and was trying to calm me down. She explained how she had to come to be inside Blace. They had traveled  through the mountains because Macedonian police wouldn’t let them in.

I was impressed with her courage and became calmer then. I shared my story in front of the camera about how we were forced out of our homes and the journey to Blace.

Before she left, she hugged me, wishing us safe journey and then Amy said:” I might not have another chance to come inside here but since your phone is working here I can call you”

Then Amy and the camera man returned to Macedonia taking the same way back: through the mountains.

My mother was cold. I had an idea. I asked my mother to stand up and while holding her, we walked very fast around Blace, until she could hardly breathe. Then quickly I grabbed my sister and said:” Go to the Macedonian police and tell him she is dying!”. I watched my sister and mother walking towards the police who then  allowed them to enter Macedonia.  It worked. They entered inside Macedonia.

The word spread that my phone was working, so friends were calling me constantly. Outside no mans land, on the Kosova side there was an empty house, where electricity still worked so I was able to charge my mobile batteries.

The crowd of people grew every hour because trains were bringing more and more people in. In the afternoon I saw my friend, Flaka Surroi who was working for UNICEF Kosova. She was in Macedonia and with the badge of UNICEF around her neck, she was allowed in to look for her family but not to bring in any humanitarian aid.

Flaka said she could help me get out but she needed to go back and get a badge of UNICEF for me.

It was very tempting but then I thought of the thousands of people who would be  left behind in hell.

I had a mobile phone and I thought I could be useful to people and share the information so I decided to stay.

All the time there was a drizzling rain so we were wet constantly. In the evening people tried to light a fire to warm up but the drizzle was putting the fire out. I didn’t eat all day but I had water and took multivitamin pills. I felt happy that I had taken them with me.

I couldn’t sleep anyway because it was wet so I decided to go around and talk to people, encouraging them, giving them hope that things will change.

The next day I gathered children together to play and exercise gymnastics. I wished we had a ball to play with but since we had nothing, the gymnastic was just as good. This made the children happy and gave a smile to their parents.

Then the tragic  news started. Two newborn babies died during the night and an old man who was ill died because there was no medical care for him. I thought how each morning I would see things like this. Something had to be done fast.

I was informing the media through the phone about everything. Still no International Media or Humanitarian organization was allowed in. People started to cut with their hands some of the wood so that they could make temporary tents with blankets.

The days were always noisy. People talking in anger, wondering when things will change. They tried to get some bread when the truck came, but in the evening it was quiet so I did what I had done the previous night. Visit people around, talk to them, comfort them. Give them hope. Never thinking about my need, but their need.

The next day, as I feared, we heard about more people dying during the night.

They were buried on the other side of the small river.

I thought we have to do something. We can’t sit here and do nothing when people are dying in these conditions.

My mobile rang. It was my partner Rachel. Before the bombing started the Serbian police had ordered all the Internationals to leave Kosova. She didn’t want to leave me but I had to convince her to go to Budapest. Everyday she would call me to ask how things are. When she heard we were forced out of our home, she took the first plane to Greece, then train to Macedonia, to see me. “Igo, where are you?”-she asked and continued: “I am inside Blace but its so crowded, I cant find you!”.

She was inside! My heart started jumping. While we were talking on the mobile phone we were giving each other directions on where to meet. “See that big tree before the river? Lets walk towards it” I said.

“I have an umbrella with me “-she said. I was walking toward the tree but still I couldn’t see her because of the crowd. Then she was there, in front of me. We ran towards  each other and hugged for a long time. I realized our friend Siobhan was with her, shooting everything with her camera.

They had managed to convince the Macedonian police to let them come inside the no mans land, but of course they to hide the camera.

They brought lots of food and cigarettes  which we immediately shared. They also  brought me a sleeping bag.

“We have to do something here” I told them “Some kind of protest. You could help us and inform all the media present in Macedonia. And all the political leaders.”

They stayed for four hours. While watching them leave, I felt for the first time, I want to leave with them. My heart broke but I had to stay and organize the protest.

We set up an organizing committee planning how to organize the  protest. We agreed that next day, at 11am  we would start packing our bags and making a line facing the Macedonian border and exactly at noon, start walking towards the border slowly, but loudly shouting: HELP!

That evening we informed all the people so they would be prepared for next day. Everyone had a smile on their faces because they felt good that at last they would do something.

A phone call came. It was Amy. She was constantly calling to ask about how the situation was but this time she said that NBC will call me live from the US. They asked me some questions about the situation and then they asked:” Igo, are you angry and at who are you are angry with”?

I answered:” I am angry at the Big Powers who knows what is happening here and is doing nothing to put pressure to Macedonian Government to let us in!”

 That night I opened up my sleeping bag Rachel brought and for the first time I slept. I felt I was in the most expensive hotel in the world.

Rachel and Siobhan informed all the International media present in Macedonia so the next morning around the border there was a big crowd of journalists but we noticed the uniform of the police had changed. They were wearing special uniforms with bullet proof jackets and huge batons in their hands. They knew about our plan!

Around 10 am, a phone call came from friend, who was living in Macedonia:” Igo, you have to stop this protest. This will lead to a bigger war. The police might even shoot the people!”

He was right, we had to change our plan quickly. Instead of walking towards the border, we decided we would just stand in a line and shout: Help!

We had a hard time to convince people to change our plan. At 11am they stood up, prepared the bags, I was shaking, afraid people would start walking but at 12, everyone stood in line in one place and for an half of an hour we all shouted: HELP!

The police were angry but didn’t intervene because we didn’t walk towards the border. After the shouting people slowly unpacked their belongings  and continued talking with each other.

Then a phone call came. “You did it! It worked! Tonight they are going to let people in!’

I started sharing the information to the people and asked them to spread the news. Everyone had tears in their eyes but not me. Not yet.

Then for the first time I felt tired and all my energy was gone. Its over. I felt my mission is over. I can call my Flaka from UNICEF to help me get  out from this hell.

When I called her, she said: ”We asked you the first day to come with us but you refused, so now you can stay there” I smiled. I knew she was joking with me.

Then she said ”At 1pm we are coming to get you out!”

Flaka was late because of  the trouble with the  Macedonian police. She had a UNICEF badge for me and I was supposed to play an International UNICEF staff. We started walking towards the border when I realized that a Macedonian police was following us. He was suspicious about me being an International staff of UNICEF. Then I started speaking loud to my friend pretending I am an International: ”Look all this mud on my trousers, cant believe this mud. I was here only thirty minutes and look at me now!!!”

The policeman turned back. It worked.

We walked toward UNICEF car. Only when I sat inside the car, I was able to cry out. I cried the whole way  to Skopje (capital of Macedonia).

June 28th  2002, 7pm

The former US Ambasador Swanee Hunt founded an organization called:” Women Waging Peace”. She came to Prishtina last year and also this year to have meetings with us, womens NGOs and women in the parliament. She has just published a book with the stories of the Bosnian women and she brought two women with her to share their stories to us.

In the evening she organized dinner at a nice restaurant in Prishtina. I went and sat on the table with the women from Bosnia. Ms. Hunt sat with us and then I gave her two books published by UNHCR-Kosova about the situation in Kosova before and after the war and the other one about  the Kosovar Women.

While she was looking at the books, her advisor approached her and asked her some questions. Then as she was looking at the books. She was looking at me as I was someone she knew from before. She recognized my voice. She saw my picture in the book and my name written under it then she turned to me and said:” Is that you Igo? I am Amy! Amy from Blace with TV crew!!”

I couldn’t believe it. In tears, we hugged each other for a long time. We didn’t recognize each other.

“What are you doing at Women Waging Peace Organization?” I asked her.

“Well, since I met you, you transformed my life so I decided to work for a womens organization so here I am!”

We talked and talked until it came time to leave. She was leaving Kosova the next morning but Amy promised to come back and catch up with the story.

***

Since I entered Macedonia with UNICEF car in 1999, I rested for two weeks and then worked with women and children in the refugee camps in Macedonia.

When we returned home in July 1999, I continued working with our organization “Motrat Qiriazi” with the support of the Swedish organization Kvinna till Kvinna. We tried to help traumatized women and children and helping people in need. I thought I dealt with my pain from the war, but while listening to the stories of the Bosnian women, I realized I didn’t deal with my Blace painful story and now finding Amy again it was a healing process.

All this time friends were asking why don’t I write about my Blace experience. I couldn’t but now I feel I can. So I sat all day by my computer and typed. I feel better now. Its all out of me now.

Igo Rogova

June 29th 2002

Prishtina Kosova

 

 

 

 

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