Shelters, KWN, Ombudsperson Institution Cooperate to Address Violence against Women

28.02.2019

In close collaboration with the Ombudsperson Institution, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) organized a workshop on the role of the Ombudsperson Institution (OI) in addressing violence against women for representatives of shelters and day centers that provide services to women who have suffered gender-based violence. 

Building on the positive collaboration established between KWN and the OI, Merita Syla, from the OI provided information on the relevant legal framework and instances in which the OI can assist with such cases.  

During the workshop, participants defined concrete steps for referring cases of violence against women and girls to relevant institutions and, eventually, when relevant, to the OI. 

This workshop is part of the cooperation established between shelters, KWN and the OI to work towards the more dignified treatment of women who have suffered violence by relevant institutions. Their cooperation will continue this year in supporting women and girls who have experienced violence in seeking justice and filing complaints against institutions that fail to undertake their legal obligations. Participants also discussed important issues faced by shelters, including permanent funding of shelters and the security of their staff.

This workshop was funded by UN Women with financial support from the European Union. A KWN staff member supported by the Austrian Development Agency also shared her expertise.  

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“Psychotherapists in Action” hosts roundtable about palliative care in Kosovo

26.02.2019

On Feb. 25 the association “Psychotherapists in Action” hosted a roundtable within the scheme of the initiative “Advancing palliative care in Kosovo and raising awareness among the community for people with special needs”.

The mission of this initiative is to protect and improve health, with a particular focus on rural areas where there is a weaker access to health services and people also lack health education.

This event was attended by the Director of the Regional Hospital of Gjilan, the Director of Health Department in Gjilan Municipality, the Director of the Main Family Medicine Centre, as well as representatives of the civil society organizations (CSOs).

Doctor Ramize Ahmeti – Ibrahimi,  presented the pace of the three-month work, during which time the “Psychotherapists in Action” conducted 230 visits to women, men and children from the villages of Gadish, Kishnapol, Verbicë, Zhegovc, Pidiq, Llashticë, Dazhnicë, Parallovë, and Makresh.

Further, the Director of Health Department in Gjilan Municipality, Selami Xhemaili appreciated the work completed by the Psychotherapists in Action.

Among the recommendations arising from the implementation of this initiative are the promotion, education, treatment and the counselling in the family that should be continuously followed, as well as families ought to be informed through media and schools on the role of the medical team.

This roundtable, respectively this initiative, is supported by Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) of Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), and is funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA).

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Handikos Mitrovica, a strong voice of Children with Disabilities and their mothers

26.02.2019

On Feb. 25 Handikos Mitrovica held its last meeting on the project “Depression in mothers of children with disabilities and in people with disabilities”.

The meeting was attended by woman psychologist from Diakone Kosova Gjevahire Balaj, Director of Mundësia NGO Hasime Tahiri, Director of the Human Rights Unit in the Municipality of Mitrovica Fitim Rama, Director of Handikos Mitrovica Myrvete Hasani, and also the mothers of children and young people with disabilities.

In the beginning Hasani stated that this initiative benefited 15 mothers and 12 young people. Further she explained that mothers and children were trained to better understand and face issues related to symptoms and depression behaviours, confronting and fighting stress, and the postnatal stage with a child with disabilities.

Balaj added that the idea of this initiative is for mothers to gather and share their concerns and emotions. The lack of society’s support for mothers of children with disabilities was also part of this discussion.

Whereas Tahiri added that a civic lobbying is required in order for health and education institutions to contract psychologists for the needs of the mothers’ of children with disabilities.

Rama complained that the Municipality of Mitrovica has a limited budget and cannot provide financial support, while announcing that also this year a public call will be launched for a modest financial support of NGOs focused in this particular field.

This initiative is supported by Kosovo’s Women Fund (KWF) of Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), and is financed by Austrian Agency for Development (ADA).

30.05.25

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Blind Women Advocate Successfully for Access to Benefits

13.02.2019

Blind and partially sited persons in Kosovo have benefits that are specified in the Law on Blind Persons. Lately, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) and the Committee of Blind Women in Kosovo (CBWK), a KWN member, have collaborated to address violations of the rights of blind women.

CBWK and KWN have raised their concerns regarding the pre-conditions set by the Association of Blind Persons in Kosovo, which requested that blind persons pay a membership fee in order to receive state benefits relating to discounted electricity bills and booklets of blindness. However, these should be provided free of charge in accordance with the Law on Blind Persons, Article 14. Meanwhile, according to this, the Association of Blind People in Kosovo is the ony association authorized to represent blind people in Kosovo when applying for these benefits. Therefore, the requirement of association fees hindered several blind women from claiming their rights in accordance with the Law.

Representatives of CBWK have constantly contacted the Department for Pensions in Kosovo in the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MLSW) to ask that they put an end to this violation of rights and implement the Law on Blind Persons.

Bajramshahe Jetullahu, CBWK Director said: ‘This issue is directly harming blind people’s identity and rights’. She quoted the law on blind people, firmly emphasizing that ‘they should be protected from all kinds of abuse, discrimination and insult and that blind persons should be able to claim their rights granted by law’.

With support from KWN’s Legal Assistant, CBWK met with the Ombudsperson of Kosovo, Hilmi Jashari. He agreed that this situation of the Association of Blind Persons conditioning rights on the basis of membership to their Association as a very serious violation of rights and that MLSW should undertake immediate measures to resolve this issue.

The Ombudsperson expressed his support to CBWK and KWN in monitoring further occurrences of this situation. Meanwhile, MLSW has demonstrated its good will by making the Association of Blind People in Kosovo issue a decision on 07 Feb. 2019, through which the Association commits to distribute booklets of blindness and to file for electricity payment benefits for all blind persons, not only its members.

KWN offered their constant support to CBWK in contacting responsible institutions and drafting letters to better adress the issue to responsible institutions. KWN also supported  CBWK to send a letter to organisations supporting blind persons in Kosovo, explaining their rights deriving from the Law on Blind Persons and informing them about potential violations of these rights from the Association that represents them.

For CBWK, this is a positive step towards respecting the rights of blind and partially sited persons. However, they will continue to monitor the process and to offer unconditional assistance in related complaints.

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Women Survivors’ Trauma of Wartime Sexual Violence Treated by Medica Kosova

13.02.2019

On Feb.12, “Medica Kosova” organized the workshop “Trauma-based approach”, an event within the inventiveness “Using community-based and trauma-informed approach for improving access of additional survivors of war rape to their status recognition”, an initiative which is implemented in cooperation with Djepi i Buzëqeshjes organization.

Psychologist of Medica Kosova, Emirjeta Kumnova stressed that the purpose of this meeting is to build the capacities of civil society and local institutions in Gjakova and Deçan for a trauma-based approach during the process of verification and referral of sexual violence cases experienced during the wartime. She added that this matter should drag a special attention by police and judges who have direct access to cases of violence.

During the second part of the workshop the Verification Process and the Recognition of War Victim Status for the survivors of rape was addressed.

Lawyer Arbnore Shehu-Bunjaku, mentioned the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) contribution for recognizing the status of victims of sexual violence from the war. Furthermore, she stated that the process of applying for this status is accompanied by women’s fears, this because women are still being stigmatized by the society.

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

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KWN Attends MEI Public Consultations for SAA Sub-Committee on Innovation, Information Society and Social Policy

06.02.2019

The Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) Subcommittees on Innovation, Information Society and Social Policy will have their third meeting later this week on Feb. 8 in Brussels. This will be their first meeting in 2019.

The sub-committees are mechanisms of the technical dialogue, as part of the Process of Stabilization and Association (SAA) for Kosovo. During these meetings, the European Commission and the Kosovo government discuss technical and policy issues and progress in making the necessary reforms related to Kosovo’s EU Accession process.

Prior to this upcoming Policy Dialogue meeting between the Kosovo Government and European Union (EU) representatives, the Ministry of European Integration (MEI) Department for Stabilisation and Association organized a public consultation with civil society organisations (CSOs) on Feb. 5 in Pristina, attended by the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), among others.

This is the second round of public consultations that KWN attended this year, organized this time with a focus on Innovation, Information Society and Social Policy. Jeton Karaqica, Director of the Department of Economic Criteria and Internal Market in the Ministry of European Integration, opened the discussion on these sectors by thanking CSO representatives for their presence. The importance of these consultations relies on gathering information and reflecting it in the country Progress Report, as well as on agreeing on further objectives for the upcoming year, he said.

With regards to Kosovo’s progress on Social Policy and Employment, KWN recommended that a gender balance should be sought when hiring women and men at all levels, according to the Law on Gender Equality. MEI said that there is an increase in funds that will support equal employment of citizens.

The issue of inadequate childcare services was followed by a discussion among all CSO representatives present. They agreed that investing in childcare can and does indeed impact the percentage of employed women, as mentioned in KWN’s Kosovo Gender Analysis.

Regarding education, KWN re-emphasized the need for closer monitoring of the gender review of education curricula towards transforming existing gender norms through education, as well as follow-up actions to train teachers based on reforms. MEI confirmed that curricula still are not applied fully and that confusion remains among teachers regarding use of the new textbooks.

KWN also mentioned the need to update the curricula and adapt school books so that they comply with the needs of children with disabilities; the state also needs to set aside sufficient funds for personal assistants, without which these children’s access to education is limited. MEI officials said that this issue, among others, will definitely be a priority to be included in the second European Reform Agenda’s (ERA 2) objectives.

ERA is an agreement reached in May 2016 between the European Commission and the Kosovo government to maximize the economic and political benefits of the SAA. For this purpose, ERA sets short-term priorities for the Kosovo government in the areas of good governance and the rule of law, competitiveness and investment climate and education and employment. The priority actions within the ERA are identified and updated annually by the Kosovo government and the European Commission in close consultation with international financial institutions (IFIs), the business sector, civil society and social partners.

According to MEI officials, priorities for ERA 2 will soon be made public, and they will include the fulfilment of objectives that were not accomplished in the first ERA. Moreover, MEI officials stated that this year’s objectives will be more specific and realistic, so that they may be implemented within the expected timeframe.

The fulfilment of these priority actions will assist Kosovo in making progress towards implementing the SAA and thus advancing towards joining the European Union.

 

30.05.25

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30.05.25

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Aureola Association Advocates for Amendments to the Law of Inheritance

06.02.2019

On Feb. 6 the Women’s Association “Aureola”, a member organisation of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), hosted a discussion table on “Advancing the Law of Inheritance aiming to guarantee the economic sustainability from the family inheritance to the female heirs”, within the framework of the four-month initiative “Advancement of the Inheritance Law”.

Part of this discussion were Albulena Haxhiu, Member of Parliament and Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee on Legislation, Mexhide Mjaku-Topalli, Member of Parliament and Chairwoman of Women Caucus, Igballe Rogova, Executive Director of KWN, Flora Durmishi, Editor at Radio Kosova, Leonora Selmani, Agency of Gender Equality, and other representatives of organizations who work on the right to inheritance and property.

In her speech Haxhiu stressed that she continually follows the reports drafted by KWN and other organisations too.

“Women refuse to inherit a property due to the fear of being “excluded” from the family. We can see the impact of patriarchal mentality also in the court, where judges often put some kind of pressure for the woman/girl to give up her inheritance,” she said.

Whilst, Rogova said that the problem are not the laws, but the lack of their implementation.

“Previously the right to property was a taboo, while now we have some positive moves to this regard. KWN has been campaigning in 5 municipalities, we went door to door and asked women if they need to register the property, in which case we have provided assistance to cover administrative costs,” Rogova said.

Further, Mjaku-Topalli appreciating the work carried on this issue by the organizations, she emphasized the importance of the media for raising public awareness on this subject.

The participants agreed that the realisation of the women’s and girls’ inheritance rights would impact their economic empowerment and improve their lives.

This initiative is supported by Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) of Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) and financed by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA).

 

 

 

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KWN Holds First Membership Meeting for 2019

04.02.2019

On 4 Feb. in Prishtina, the Kosovo’s Women Network (KWN) held its first membership meeting for 2019, attended by approximately 66 representatives of KWN’s member organizations, the Kosovo Lobby for Gender Equality (KLGE), Kosovo institutions and other supporters of KWN’s mission and work.

The two-hour, proactive discussion was opened by KWN Executive Director, Igballe Rogova, who said that the implementation of KWN’s Strategy is off to a good start this year. She added that the year of 2019 is dedicated to solidarity among women, especially among women in civil society and in politics at both central and local levels, as well as with women voters.
She explained the importance of this solidarity and the necessity of getting back out ‘in the field’.
“We are in an era of solidarity with women in politics,” Rogova said. “I think that all of us need to go back to field work. I know that we have been locked a little bit in our offices. We need to get out of our offices because there are girls and women who expect us to knock on their doors,” she continued.

In this regard, Rogova mentioned the importance of two recently started initiatives; a four-year Action entitled “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics”, supported by the European Union office in Kosovo and a UN Women-funded initiative towards ending violence against girls and women through cooperation with the Ombudsperson Institution. Both new initiatives will support KWN and its member organizations in making strides towards implementing the KWN Strategy for 2019-2022.
Rogova stated that like any other KWN project, accountability and transparency can be tracked for these initiatives as well, with every cent spent being published on KWN’s website.

Adelina Tershani, KWN Project Coordinator, said that the main goal of the new UN Women-supported initiative is to empower girls and women by informing them about the proper ways to seek justice and the appropriate steps from institutions responsible for addressing gender-based violence.
“As we have observed, these cases of violence mostly happen among relatives,” Tershani said. “We intend to inform [people] and increase awareness on how to report a case to responsible institutions: the police, Ombudsperson and other relevant institutions.”Participants appreciated KWN’s support. They also shared their concerns and information related to anticipated activities this year.

Selvije Rexhepi, recently appointed Vice-chair of the Municipality of Kllokot, underlined that without KWN’s and KLGE support she could not achieve to secure this important public post.
From the Organisation of Persons with Muscular Dystrophy of Kosovo (OPMDK) Resmije Rrahmani raised the importance of supporting people different physical abilities.

“Every organization needs to solidarize with women with disabilities,” she said. “We do not enjoy the needed support. Maybe it’s hesitation, or maybe it’s because of the lack of information. We need more support because we all have some special needs,” said Rahmani.
While showing support for women with disabilities, Rogova added that women need to support each other more also in public discourse.
“We need to support each other publicly, also in the field of work, and especially to work with women voters,” said Rogova.
It’s time to leave behind envy and jealousy, she added.

“It is time to show the men who are saying that women only have disputes, to show them that we can cooperate” she continued. We have one purpose: to go together where we want to go, to achieve gender equality in Kosovo. We have achieved changes in Kosovo,” Rogova added.
Luljeta Limani Sylejmani from the Kosovo Women’s Police Association explained that they observed the need for networking in order to seek their rights that are already guaranteed by law, but are not being implemented.
“Our purpose is to increase the number of girls and women in police,” she said. “With the initiative of the Association we have achieved to have a 30% quota for the representation of … women in this institution,” she stated.

Adelina Berisha who is participating on behalf of KWN in organizing the upcoming annual Marshojme, s’festojme march (“We march, we don’t celebrate”) taking place on 8 Mar., International Women’s Day, informed participants about the regular planning meetings and that this year’s theme is women’s right to employment. She encouraged members to organise similar activities in their municipalities like last year. She also encouraged members to take part in the annual event “One Billion Rising”, on 14 Feb., organised by Artpolis.
Members also shared information about activities in their municipalities, such as Mitrovica and Obiliq.

In the end, participants decided that the next KLGE meeting will be on 11 Feb., the next Coalition for Equality meeting in Mar. and the next KWN meeting the first week of Apr., which will involve an all day, creative meeting on a Sat.
KWN will share information about all upcoming events.

This meeting was organized with support from the Austrian Development Agency, while KWN staff members funded by the European Union Office in Kosovo, UN Women and Kvinna till Kvinna also attended.

30.05.25

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

30.05.25

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29.05.25

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Newly Adopted EP Resolution on Women’s Rights in the Western Balkans Reflects Significant Input from KWN

01.02.2019

The European Parliament (EP) Committee for Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (the “FEMM Committee”) adopted a new Resolution on Women’s Rights in the Western Balkans on 23 Jan., authored by Croatian MEP Biljana Borzan, rapporteur for Women’s Rights.

Informed by significant input from the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), in close cooperation with the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation and partner women’s rights organisations in the region, the resolution addresses gender-based violence, poor access to justice, women’s low level of participation in politics and women’s underrepresentation in the labour market.

“This Resolution is of great importance to me. I have to make women of Western Balkans a priority of the European Parliament for years, and I am very glad that most of my requests, which I have formulated in cooperation with a number of non-governmental organisations from the region, has been adopted,” said Biljana Borzan, quoted by European Western Balkans news.

In order to inform the resolution, women’s rights groups undertook a rapid, intensive consultation process. KWN consolidated the input, which reflected the real situation of women in Western Balkan countries and called for responsible institutions to take specific measures.

“It was a short time-frame and very intensive process,” said Nicole Farnsworth, KWN Program Director / Lead Researcher who compiled the input. “However, the solidarity and activism of women’s rights groups working together throughout the region has contributed to an EP resolution that raises several issues important to furthering women’s rights in the region. We hope that government officials will heed this call to action.”

Following input from KWN and its civil society partners in the region, the resolution encourages national governments, the EU and other relevant institutions to further women’s rights in all areas.

It highlights “the need of women holding positions at all levels of society and effectively participating in decisions-making processes; points out that equal participation, including in high-level management and political positions is a pre-condition of a more inclusive, balanced and representative society; [and] encourages therefore the governments to immediately take measures to increase women’s participation in political decision-making at all levels”.

The resolution includes KWN and other activists’ observation that while the legal framework related to gender equality has improved in the region, there is still a lack of implementation.

Importantly, the resolution underlines the crucial role of women’s empowerment in stabilisation processes and conflict resolution, emphasising many recommendations that KWN has made and continued to reiterate in its advocacy over the last two decades.

For example, the resolution asks “Countries to involve more women as experts in negotiations and dialogues between states, as well as in consultations with citizens regarding their priorities in such discussions; urges WB governments and EU actors to develop a comprehensive approach to improve the status of all women victims of war, ensuring their participation in all processes related to stabilization, conflict prevention and inter-state dialogue; and to highlight the need for easy access to justice and transitional justice focusing on women survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.” These are all key points that KWN requested be included in the resolution.

Further, the resolution “calls on the Western Balkans countries to adopt legislation that guarantees equal inheritance rights for women and men” and “stresses the need for awareness raising campaigns among women to keep them well informed on how they can access these rights.”

Other issues brought forth by women’s rights groups that were included in the resolution include: insufficient allocation of financial resources for addressing gender-based violence, shelters and discrimination; the need for women and LGBTQI persons in the Western Balkans to have a more prominent role in political, economic and social life at all levels; and the importance of affordable, accessible quality education from an early age. Moreover, the resolution and calls on authorities to promote better understanding about equality among women and men at school and university through adequate guidelines.

Women’s rights groups said they are “proud” to see that the newly adopted resolution has taken into account much of their input, including calls for action.

The unique opportunity to be directly involved in this process came as a result of several years of advocacy, during which women’s rights groups have built relations with various officials within the European Union, supported by the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation with financial support from Sida.

The last such resolution on women’s rights in the Western Balkans was passed in 2013.

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

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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 

OSCE Launches Report: “Shelters for Victims of Domestic Violence in Kosovo”

01.02.2019

On Jan. 17, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation (OSCE) Mission in Kosovo published the report “Shelters for Victims of Domestic Violence in Kosovo”. In addition to describing the legal framework relevant to shelters, the report analyses other issues related to the financial sustainability of shelters; shelter staff capacities; the services they provide; and municipal coordination mechanisms on domestic violence. Further, the report identifies the main challenges that shelters face and provides recommendations for overcoming these challenges, as well as for improving municipal coordination mechanisms on domestic violence.

At the report launching, panellists included: Jan Braathu, OSCE Mission in Kosovo; Naim Qelaj, National Coordinator against Domestic Violence; Adile Basha, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare; Sakibe Doli, “Safe House” Shelter in Gjakova; and Adelina Berisha, Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN). All panellists agreed that greater efforts should be made to ensure support for shelter staff and their important work, emphasising the need to urgently address shelters’ financial sustainability.

Adelina Berisha reminded participants about KWN activities supporting domestic violence shelters: “In the end of 2018, KWN advocated to the deputies of the Assembly of Kosovo to set aside a budget for sustainable financial support to domestic violence shelters”. She asked that “the OSCE, the Office of the National Coordinator against Domestic Violence and other relevant stakeholders support this KWN initiative by exerting pressure on deputies to support shelters with sustainable funds.”

OSCE’s report can be found here.

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Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence 

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