Women’s Association “Aureola” advocates for amendments in the Law of Inheritance

06.04.2019

The Women’s Association “Aureola” on April 5 held the last meeting in the framework of the initiative “Advancement of the Law of Inheritance”.

At this meeting present were Mexhide Mjaku-Topalli, Member of Parliament and Chairwoman of Women Caucus, Daut Morina, Director of Central Administration of the Free Legal Aid Agency, representatives of the Centre for Social Work from Obiliq, as well as representatives of civil society.

The purpose of this initiative is advocating in Parliament for the abolition or suspension of the Article 130.1 of the Law on Inheritance.

Sanije Grajçevci, Director of the “Aureola” organization evaluated that this would have an impact in creating a more favourable economic position for women. She informed that the creation of an electronic database has been recommended, so that no family member can be left aside from being included in the inheritance.

While Violeta Berisha, Director of the Amza organization, stressed that around 80 percent of women are unware that property belongs to them.

This initative is supported by Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) of Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) and financed by thr Austrian Development Ageny (ADA).

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence?  

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty 

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women 

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence 

29.05.25

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

28.05.25

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

© Copyright, 2022. Kosovo Women's Network. All rights reserved.

Donate Contact

KWN and ADA Organize Workshop on Gender Mainstreaming Programming

05.04.2019

Kosovo Women‘s Network (KWN) on April 3 organized in Prishtina a one-day interactive workshop to support the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) partners to better reflect a gender perspective in their programming, particularly including tailored guidance in adjusting indicators in line with the Gender Action plan (GAP II)  and  the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) relating to gender equality.

The workshop that gathered 37 participants, started with a review of the main concepts related to gender equality. Prior to the workshop, and funded through KWN’s existing ADA-funded Action, KWN reviewed partners’ current Actions, their reports, and the comments made by the ADA Gender Expert in order to inform the preparation of the workshop.

Gunther Zimmer, Counsellor and Country Director of the Coordination Office for Technical Cooperation, Austrian Embassy Pristina and Selma Cekic-Dincsoy, Gender Focal Point of the European Union Office in Kosovo made their opening remarks.

“I have to thank KWN on organizing a very much needed workshop with very useful information for the organizations present”, said Zimmer.

Nicole Farnsworth, Program Director and Lead Researcher of KWN, elaborated the concepts and gender roles, the way they are perceived by the majority of Kosovar society and their sociological and biological aspects.

David Svab, Programme and Project M&E Specialist from United Nation Development Program (UNDP), presented the “Leave no one behind” approach. He presented the concrete measures proposed by UNDP for governments and other state actors of the United Nations Member states on implementing Sustainable Development Goals. Whereas, Martin Schaller, Atashé of Austrian Embassy in Prishtina, shared briefly the reflections from the Austrian experience in reporting on the EU Gender Action Plan II.

Furthermore, Farnsworth continued with the background, indicators and objectives of the EU Gender Action Plan II. On the second part of the workshop, she explained concrete ways through which participating NGOs can conduct gender analysis prior to incorporating indicators from GAP II in their programmes. The workshop proceeded with participants discussing in working groups. They analysed their logical frameworks and identified potential gaps where GAP II indicators or SDGs can be incorporated.

Zimmer and Arsim Aziri, Head of Administration, ADA, praised KWN’s long term work in increasing social and institutional awareness on gender equality, and in accomplishing their objectives on empowering women in Kosovo.

Concluding the workshop, participants expressed deep gratitude on the knowledge they had obtained. They have stated that as ADA partners they are now more capable to use the reviewed documents, and furthermore they have improved their skills in developing better programs in the future.

The EU Gender Action Plan II (GAP II) is a continuance of objectives undertaken by states to ensure gender equality and women’s empowerment. This document was adapted on Sep. 21, 2015 by the European Commission and European External Action Service. The new Action Plan obliges all EU actors to report systematically on objectives pertaining to “institutional cultural shift”.

This workshop was implemented by KWN and supported by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA).

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence?  

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty 

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women 

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence 

29.05.25

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

28.05.25

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

The Government Strategy for Cooperation with Civil Society 2019-2023 is launched

04.04.2019

Pristina – On 4 April, the Government’s Strategy for Cooperation with Civil Society 2019-2023 has been launched. Strategy’s objective is to increase the participation of Civil Society in policy making.

This Strategy is of a great importance to civil society activists, taking into account that only an active and empowered civil society can influence better policy making for citizens, as well as monitor the implementation of these policies.

It is foreseen the recruitment of two new officials responsible for assisting the implementation of the Strategy, with an allocated budget of 253.300 Euros for the implementation of the Strategy and of the Action Plan.

In total there are four strategic objectives for the implementation period 2019-2023. The first strategic objective is for Increasing the participation of civil society in policy making. This objective aims to raise citizens’ and also civil society’s knowledge of public consultations, as well as improve civil society capacities to contribute to this process.

The second strategic objective is for increasing accountability and transparency in public financing of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). According to this objective, the Government should draft and adopt standards and procedures for offering public services by CSOs, including here the coverage of licenses.

The third strategic objective is developing practices and procedures for contracting public services from CSOs. It aspires to improve the overall political and institutional framework for regulating the economic activities of civil society organizations. It also foresees systematic gathering and publication of the information on the potential of these organizations to provide public services to public institutions.

And the fourth strategic objective is set for the increment and the promotion of volunteering in programs of public interest. The intent here is to establish a comprehensive legal and institutional framework to support the development of volunteering, including also civil society capacity building to recruit, engage and manage volunteers.

Noteworthy that in addition to the funds from the state budget, the implementation of these strategic objectives will be supported by technical assistance from the European Union (EU) as well. Furthermore, additional funding is expected from donors in the field of civil society development as well as by CSOs whose mission is to develop civil society or specific areas addressed by the respective strategic objectives.

Read HERE the full Albanian version of the Government Strategy for Cooperation with Civil Society 2019-2023.

 

 

 

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence?  

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty 

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women 

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence 

29.05.25

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

28.05.25

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

KWN Contributes with Recommendations to Amend the Civil Code 

04.04.2019

Pristina – Executive Director of Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), Igballe Rogova has participated in a panel discussion “Marriage, spouses and civil union in the Civil Modern Code of the Republic of Kosovo”, hosted on April 4 from the European Information and Cultural Centre (EUICC).  

Rogova highlighted the most important issues, such as early marriages, marriage, engagement and cohabitation.  

The reformulation of article 16 regarding the early marriages; the reformulation of articles, which define engagement; the marriage and cohabitation; eliminating such definitions with gender–based discrimination, were among the KWN’s recommendations.  

According to the KWN’s analysis, the compilation of the above articles directly conflicts the constitutional principles and legal acts that regulate gender equality and non-discrimination. 

Representatives of the Ministry of Justice have recognized the work done by KWN with these recommendations also.  

Ardian Mehmeti, representative of this Ministry acknowledged the contribution of the KWN’s recommendations, that he considered them constructive. 

“We have received the recommendations of the Kosovo Women’s Network, the CEL organization and the other partners, we are reviewing the draft laws based on the status,” Mehmeti said. 

Blert Morina, Executive Director of Centre for Equality and Liberty (CEL), has stated that the Civil Code is contrary to the Constitution.  

Morina called that the article for marriage of the Civil Code to be in accordance with the definition of the constitution in regard to the right of family creation which is equally guaranteed to all.  

Whereas, Alfons Benjamin Lentze, Head of the EU Civil Code Project, said that if Kosovo wants to move forward, then it should work towards developing equal rights for all.  

 

 

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence?  

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty 

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women 

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence 

29.05.25

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

28.05.25

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

Activists Learn How to Hold Officials Accountable for Treating Violence  against Women 

01.04.2019

On 27–29 Mar., activists from Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) member organisations that are involved in assisting women who have suffered violence gathered in Durres, Albania to hone their skills in holding responsible institutions accountable for properly treating cases of violence against women.  

The interactive workshop taught women’s rights activists exactly where to refer women who have suffered violence, as well as how to assist women in instances when relevant institutions do not perform their duties in accordance with the applicable legal framework.  

Participants shared their experiences and frustrations, including concerns over how some representatives of relevant institutions have treated cases of violence against women and girls in the past.  

“In the last few years, the Agency for Free Legal Aid opened its offices in our region, but they were later closed,” said Nevenka Rikalo from NGO Ruka Ruci. In addition, “At the Agency in Pristina, there isn’t anyone who knows the Serbian language,” she added.  

Other participants also raised issues of concern, including courts prolonging the processing of cases, which leaves opportunities for interference in cases and for mediation between the victim and the offender, even though this is not foreseen in criminal cases. Sometimes, judges also provide punishments that are very low considering the crime. Further, participants criticized the unprofessional attitude of some social workers, their profession not aligning with their work description and their lack of timely response to cases of violence against women.  

“If institutions do not perform their duties, we as civil society have a responsibility to hold them accountable,” emphasized Adelina Berisha, KWN Advocacy and Research Coordinator on Gender Based Violence, who moderated the interactive workshop.  

Valmira Rashiti, KWN Legal Assistant, presented and clarified the relevant legal framework.  

During the workshop, activists learned instances in which they could support women in referring cases of poor institutional performance to the Ombudsperson Institution. 

Activists discuss, resolve scenarios involving various potential challenges in referring women who have suffered violence to the appropriate authorities, during a workshop in Durres on 28 Mar.

 

“It was important to see that one institution has higher and higher instances,” said Diellza Bezera from Arpolis, referring to the information provided about how to report officials’ poor performance to their superiors, and then, if not treated, to the Ombudsperson Institution. “Not all of us are jurists to know all of this information, and this [workshop] provided a good basis for all of us,” she said.  

“Yesterday I realized that I haven’t gone to the end of things, perhaps due to a lack of trust and tiredness… ‘go here’, ‘go there’... maybe even due to a lack of information,” Xhejrane Lokaj reflected in agreement. “If it is like this for me, what about those women who are not very educated? During this workshop, you have convined me that I have to take things to the end. […] My message: Don’t give up!” 

KWN will continue to support these diverse 33 activists from throughout Kosovo, among others, in supporting women who have experienced violence in navigating relevant institutions, in order to seek justice and support.  

This workshop was financed by the European Union through the UN Women “Implementing Norms, Changing Minds” Program, via a KWN initiative on “increasing access to services for women”.  

 

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence?  

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty 

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women 

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence 

29.05.25

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

28.05.25

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

KWN and the Lobby in support of Podrimqaku-Subashi

01.04.2019

The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) and the Lobby on Gender Equality in Kosovo (Lobby) on the 29th of March through a Press Release have expressed their concern regarding the pressure and the unfair treatment of Zahrie Podrimqaku-Subashi, Coordinator of the Municipal’s Human Rights Unit and Gender Equality and Equal Opportunities Officer in Drenas by the Mayor of this municipality, Ramiz Lladrovci.

Podrimqaku-Subashi is being a target of the pressure by the Mayor of the Municipality, who unlawfully tried to demote and replace her with his sister’s daughter-in-law.

In this letter, KWN and Lobby have recalled Podrimqaku-Subashi’s work and activism in the protection and promotion of human rights, with particular emphasis on the protection of women’s rights. To this understanding, KWN and Lobby have also demanded that the pressure towards  Podrimqaku-Subashi’s demotion has to be stopped.

Podrimqaku-Subashi enjoys the full support of KWN and the Lobby for continuing to exercise the public function for the benefit of citizens, as she has performed so far.

Read HERE the full Press Release.

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence?  

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty 

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women 

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence 

29.05.25

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

28.05.25

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

Early Marriages still a Burden for Kosovar society

01.04.2019

Network of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Women’s Organizations of Kosovo (NRAEWOK), a member organization of Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), on Feb. 26 held its last meeting under the initiative “Supporting the prevention of early marriages of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in Kosovo”.

Xhulieta Devolli, Gender Equality expert stated that this action took place in the top three municipalities that are populated with non-majority communities such in Mitrovicë, Graçanicë and Lipjan.

Early marriages by Devolli are viewed as “a very common occurring”, emphasizing that they should be dealt by the society itself. She also spoke about the Report on the Istanbul Recommendations on the Implementation of the Istanbul Convention on the situation of early marriages of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in Kosovo.

Executive Director of NRAEWOK, Shpresa Agushi said that the lives of these women will be improved to a small extent due to this report. She also mentioned that “the first support for us [NRAEWOK] came from KWN”.

Ariana Qosaj-Mustafa, Programme Director and Senior Researcher at KIPRED, which is among the drafters of this report, expressed her concern regarding the lack of law’s implementation.

Amongst other things, she highlighted that “statistics of early marriages do not exist, this because only few cases are being reported”.

A closing conference of this action will be held in the end of April, as an opportunity for state actors to be introduced with the initiative’s achievements.

This initiative is implemented by NRAEWOK, supported by UN Women and financed by the European Union.

 

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence?  

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty 

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women 

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence 

29.05.25

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

28.05.25

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

KWN and Lobby Support Podrimqaku-Subashi

01.04.2019

The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) and the Kosovo Lobby for Gender Equality (Lobby) express their deep concern regarding the unfair treatment and pressure applied against Zahrie Podrimqaku-Subashi, Coordinator of the Municipal Human Rights Unit and Gender Equality and Equal Opportunities Officer in Drenas, by the Mayor of this Municipality, Ramiz Lladrovci.

Since his arrival, he has pressured Podrimqaku-Subashi to leave her position. In January, the Mayor called her into his office, pressuring her to resign from her workplace. This was illegal and without respect for Kosovo laws pertaining to recruitment and transfer. Lladrovci’s exerted this pressure with the intention to replace Podrimqak-Subashi with his sister’s daughter-in-law.

After news broke regarding this case, Mayor Lladrovci decided on 1 Mar. to temporarily transfer Podrimqaku-Subashi to the position of Head of Assembly Services in the same functional category.

Podrimqaku-Subashi challenged this decision, based on Law No. 03/L –149 on The Civil Service of the Republic of Kosovo.

Among the reasons for refusing this transfer, Podrimqaku-Subashi referenced that her transfer was “intentional, unreasonable, without a time limit, violent, and forced”.

Recalling Podrimqaku-Subashi’s work and activism in defence of human rights, particularly towards women’s rights, a contribution affecting all periods of Kosovo’s recent history, KWN and Lobby express unreserved support for Podrimqaku-Subashi.

Moreover, they demand that the Municipality of Drenas, as well as other relevant institutions, immediately stop pressuring Podrimqaku-Subashi and allow her to continue exercising her merited public function and the benefitting citizens, as Podrimqaku-Subashi has done to date.

28.03.25

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

08.11.24

Press Release – Recommendations for the Kosovo Parliament  

05.11.24

Response to Klan Kosova – Do Not Promote the Perpetrators

04.11.24

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

31.10.24

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

17.10.24

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

The New Family Law is cherished

01.04.2019

On March 5, the Initiative for Justice and Inequality (INJECT) organized a roundtable conference to inform the public on amendments made to the Family Law.

The new Family Law entered into force on 17 January 2019 with proposed changes from Luljeta Aliu, Executive Director of INJECT. According to Aliu, “the purpose of these changes [in the Family Law], relies in eliminating inequalities occurring towards the most marginalized group in Kosovo – women.”

INJECT has proposed that Article 47 of the Family Law be added the paragraph equalizing the work of one spouse translated into monetary value, with the contribution of the other spouse on the welfare of the family. Accordingly, the work of women in childcare and home care should be accounted for as part of the economic contribution when deciding on the division of property, such as in divorce cases.

Aliu emphasized the support she received from Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) on publishing her findings based on the law’s analysis. “KWN was amongst the first NGO’s I asked for support for changing the Family Law, and I got it right away” she said.

Albulena Haxhiu, Head of the Legislative Committee expressed her gratitude on the initiatives that aim to eliminate patriarchy and support accomplishing gender equality. “It is a major issue the fact that according to the latest statistics, 80 % of women in Kosovo belong to the inactive category of the population. Whereas according to findings from KWN, 30 % of employed women work without contracts. This is scandalous”, said Haxhiu.

Other panelists also recognized the importance of this legal initiative. Jo-Anne Bishop, Gender Advisor of UNMIK and Rozafa Kelmendi from UN Women conveyed their optimism that this change will lead to open more doors of hope for women, and it will provide them financial stability.

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence?  

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty 

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women 

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence 

29.05.25

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

28.05.25

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

DIS Students are Introduced to the work of Kosovo Women’s Network

01.04.2019

On March 27, a group of students from the Danish Institute for Studies Abroad (DIS) program for Humanitarian Law and Armed Conflicts visited the Kosovo Women’s Network offices (KWN). Over the recent years, various generations of students from this program have visited KWN during their study visits to Kosovo.

Nertila Qarri-Gërguri, KWN’s Project Coordinator, informed the students about KWN’s work and activities ever since its establishment in 1996. A particular focus on this meeting was put on the role that women play in social processes and toward achieving gender equality.

The students appreciated representatives of the KWN for the time to welcome them, emphasizing that such meetings help them acquire a hands-on experience about the best practices regarding contributes that women and girls carry on post-conflictual societies.

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence?  

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty 

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women 

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence 

29.05.25

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

28.05.25

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