Communication Workshop with Member Organizations

Psychology of persuasion, creativity through brainstorming, and Facebook practices were the focus of the Workshop on Communication with member organizations of Kosovo Women’s Network.

The KWN headquarters organized a workshop session on building public relation strategy on 13th September. The session was led by public relations expert and journalism Prof. Martine Robinson Beachboard, who introduced to the members the best practices in exposing their organizations to a wider audience through professional writing and improving social media presence.


Representatives of twelve member organizations of Kosovo Women’s Network gathered together to discuss strategic planning of delivering key messages to the public. Apart from the theoretical part, participants also had the opportunity to work in pairs on elaborating why their organizations need PR, later by practicing brainstorming techniques, they developed a strategy on promoting an event with media and the general public.

In the last phase, the workshop focused on professional writing where all participants got to improve their writing process. The purpose of these exercises was to enable participants to provide feedback in order to further improve member organizations’ communication strategy.

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

 

 

This support to KWN and its members in identifying and implementing innovative communication strategies was provided by an Academic Expert from the United States, Dr. Martine Robinson Beachboard (PhD), supported by the United States (US) Embassy in Prishtina, as part of Fulbright Specialist Program which promotes linkages between U.S. academics and professionals and their counterparts at institutions abroad, and Austrian Development Agency (ADA).

Women Economic Forum writes open letter to political parties

Dear MP Candidates for the Parliament of the Republic of Kosovo,

Dear Political Parties,

Taking into account the approaching campaign for the early elections for the Parliament of the Republic of Kosovo, representative organizations of Women’s Economic Forum invite all political subjects to demonstrate their commitment to the inclusion and gender equality in social, economic and political spheres by means of policies and concrete measures in political curriculums. Women Economic Forum calls upon political parties to engage in promoting the rights of women by:

  1. Addressing discrimination and absence of women in market force,

Women in Kosovo remain underrepresented and marginalized in labour market.

Only 13.3% of women of working-age are currently employed, according to an analysis of the first trimester of 2019 Labour Force Survey.

This means that Kosovo ranks among the states with the lowest rate of women’s activity in labour market in the region and in Europe as well. Research regarding this matter shows that the main challenges are: care of children and the elderly, gender-based discrimination in the workplace, fewer opportunities for women compared to men, and lack of programs designed to update the abilities accordingly to market requirements.

To address these issues, it is of crucial important to promote concrete and inclusive policies, which will encourage greater participation of women. Policies as follows:

  • Offer ffordable services for child care
  • Offer education and rehabilitation schemes for women who have been unemployed [out of the labor market] for a long period of time, by offering training in accordance to the labour market requirements
  • Award scholarships for girls, provided by the public sector and corporations with a strategic role in developing the country
  • Support the women’s entrepreneurship programs, specially self-employment schemes
  • Encourage the increase of businesses owned by women, by offering administrative and financial benefits for them
  • Support women’s participation in the workforce through active labour market policies, such as: wage subsidy programs, training and short-term interventions that strengthen and improve job search skills
  1. Paid parental leave

In addition to guaranteeing the right of fathers to play an active role in child care, equal and effective family policies are also crucial in harmonizing the disproportional employment space between women and men and the promotion of gender equality in Kosovo. Current law, as well as the proposed bill on maternity leave and parental leave, discriminate against men by failing to give them equal rights to be with their children while lowering women’s participation in the nation’s economy. According to the Law on Gender Equality, in order to achieve balance between parents in their equal role, the economic and social rights and responsibilities, then some policies should be established, the implementation of these policies would create a fundamental basis for equal role of parents.

Policies should support working parents in three ways: (i) ensuring that parents are entitled to parental leave to care for their children; (ii) providing or supporting child care; and (iii) providing financial support for childcare costs. Women’s Economic Forum advocates changing the current system by adopting a model that guaranteed maternity and paternity leave and non-transferable allocation paid paternal leave for both parents, along with overall paid and unpaid model scheme.

While you prepare your governance platforms, representative organizations of the Women’s Economic Forum remain at your disposal for advice and assistance in advancing programs that promote the rights of women in Kosovo, strengthening their position in the labour market and society in general.

Sincerely,

Women’s Economic Forum

Women’s Economic Forum is an independent body, which is comprehensive and unifying, which gathers around itself stakeholders, organizations and individuals of society that have an interest, play an active part and are engaged in the development of women in the economy. The Forum is jointly founded by eleven organizations throughout Kosovo that are actively involved in improving the position of women in Kosovo.

 

Members:

Democracy for Development (D4D)

Kosova Women’s Network (KWN)

Kosovar Gender Studies Centre (KGSC)

Kosova – Women 4 Women

Riinvest Institute

Network of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Women’s Organizations of Kosovo (RROGRAEK)

Domestic Violence Behind Walls  Exhibition Hosted in Gjakova Yesterday.

 

GJAKOVA, 11 September 2019 – In a city that has already seen 90 reported cases of domestic violence this year, residents of all ages were exposed to an exhibition detailing the problem and offering helpful resources in Gjakova today.  

Shtëpia e Sigurtë and Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) cooperated to bring “Break the Silence: Ending Violence Behind Walls” to the town square Nëna Terezë” this afternoon and evening. The three-dimensional structure walked visitors through displays of information, experiences and effects of violence that can hide in the private lives of people anywhere.  

“Our MPs have voted for the Istanbul Convention, which highlights the role of shelters and the duties and obligations they have to support their work financially, said Sakibe Doli from Shtëpia e Sigurtë shelter in GjakovaSo we call on the MPs we elected to carry out their duties through monitoring, and to support the work of the shelters”. 

According to official data from the Kosovo Police, in 90% of reported cases the victims are women.  

Domestic violence continues to be a problem affecting Kosovar society”, said Adelina Berisha from KWN. Through this exhibition we want to show you the feeling of a home where violence is being used. This way we can all have a better understanding of the suffering of each victim. 

Berisha added, “We want to inform every citizen of Kosovo of the assistance they can ask from local institutions, and where they can complain if these institutions fail to provide services to victims of domestic violence. 

The traveling exhibition is part of a KWN awareness campaign that has been showcased in municipalities across the country since June. It will continue for several months at a range of locationsThe aim is to raise awareness of different forms of domestic violence and to provide citizens with specific information about local support institutions and how to contact them. Visitors also were reminded of their legal obligation to report domestic violence and support its victims. 

Luke PerlalajKosovo Police investigator from the local Domestic Violence Unit, offered insights into alarming statistics. He told the gathered crowd that reports of domestic violence have been increasing recently.  

Maybe we are raising awareness and that is causing us to receive so many reports today, Perlalaj said. “Maybe the use of domestic violence has increased, but official datas show that this number has truly increased”. 

A representative of the Kosovo Police Inspectorate in Gjakova told the audience about resources available to victims of violence. 

“We have various complaint opportunities where you can report cases of domestic violence, said Bajram Fetahu. He mentioned the website https://ipk.rks-gov.net/forma-per-ankesa/ and added, “or even go to the nearest police station”. 

Other speakers giving opening remarks at the exhibition were Elvane Shehu, social worker at the Center for Social Work in Gjakova; Judge Iliriana Hoti; and prosecutor Dëshirë Jusaj. 

For more information, see the exhibition booklet HERE. 

 

 

Healthcare Workers to Empower Women, Engage Fathers

Yesterday, the Ministry of Health, UNICEF and Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) in cooperation with the Action for Mothers and Children launched a joint effort to engage healthcare workers in transforming traditional gender roles in Kosovo.  

From an early age, girls and boys are socialized to dress and act a certain way. Their gender determines how society treats them, where they can go and the opportunities they will have in their lives. Research has shown that a child begins learning these roles from a very young age, perhaps as soon as they are born.  

A new initiative by the Ministry of Health and UNICEF, in collaboration with KWN, seeks to engage healthcare workers conducting pre-natal and post-natal home visits in talking to families about gender roles and how they can create for their children a happier, healthier life with more opportunities. As part of the UNICEF home visiting project, health practitioners will incorporate positive parenting strategies, gender socialization and the important role of the father into their home visits.  

“We think through home visits you can transform the culture towards gender equality in Kosovo,” Deputy Head of UNICEF Office Kosovo James Mugaju stated. You are the champions of this,” he told healthcare professionals attending the workshop“This program is successful because of you and your commitment,” Magaju said. 

On behalf of KWN, Ilirijana Banjska is among the trainers working with healthcare workers to support them in better understanding gender roles, stereotypes, power relations and how these can contribute to gender-based violence.  

KWN’s Executive Director Igballe Rogova spoke at the workshop opening, sharing experiences from the 1990s when, as part of the Motrat Qiriazi Association, activists saw that the best method to reach people was door to door outreach. “I thank you for your work, which will lead to gender equality in Kosovo, she said. “You have contact with people and you can change people! 

While progress has been made in furthering women’s rights in Kosovo, gender-based stereotypes rooted in social norms continue to undermine equality among women and menOfficially only two in ten women in Kosovo are employed. This is due largely to women’s traditional social roles as unpaid caretakers.  

The situation in Kosovo is slowly changing,” Rogova saidMen have indicated that they want to be with their children but sometimes people around them say they can’t.”  She recalled research by KWN, among others, which showed that approximately 64% of men said they want to spend more time with their children and care for them. “And we support them to!” Rogova said. 

Only when men have more rights to spend time with their children will women have more rights to enter into public space.  

Therefore, KWN also is working with its partners to call for amendments to the Labor Lawto better enable both men and women to spend time with their families. 

As part of the UNICEF home visiting and gender responsiveness project, KWN will continue to collaborate with UNICEF. Rogova thanked the Ministry of Health and UNICEF for engaging KWN in this process and for their collaboration in furthering gender equality in Kosovo.  

This initiative aligns with the Kosovo Health Sector Strategy 2017-2021, which seeks to improve the quality of services, while improving access to these services for vulnerable groups. 

“Speak up on Time” Campaign Urges Earlier Reporting of Sexual Assault    

Sexual violence in Kosovo remains one of the least reported forms of violence. Yet it needs to be reported in a timely way because collection of evidence can help to prosecute cases.  

“Speak Up on Time” is a newly launched campaign stressing the importance of preserving biological evidence in sexual violence cases. The Institute of Forensic Medicine (IFM), in partnership with the Kosovo Police (KP) and EULEX, hosted a roundtable discussion 9 Sept. to commence the public information program. 

Research reports from Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) show that some key institutions charged with tackling the problem lack knowledge of how to treat it appropriately. Approaches to sexual violence victims continue to be inadequate, often putting the victim in difficult situations. This can discourage victims from reporting the violence and pursuing justice. 

KWN’s findings also indicate minimal knowledge among the general public about the importance of collecting and preserving biological evidence in sexual violence cases.  

Statistics of the Institute of Forensic Medicine show that: 

  • In just 28% of sexual violence cases is biological evidence collected 
  • About 90% of sexual violence victims are women or girls  
  • Most sexual violence victims are between 11 and 16 years old 
  • In 81% of sexual violence cases, the perpetrator is known to the victim 

 Former President of Kosova Atifete Jahjaga called for increased cooperation between relevant stakeholders in supporting wartime sexual violence survivors, as well as their social re-integration.  

“We have worked to achieve this; however, we need to work harder in some fields: in the aspects of legal framework, institutional, socio-economic aspects, as well as offering access to justice for the survivors”, Jahjaga said. 

Kosovo has undertaken initiatives to help survivors of sexual violence that occurred during wartime. Yet very little attention has been given to women and girls experiencing sexual violence nowadays. Unfortunately, 20 years after the war similar challenges are shared by women and girls suffering sexual violence, whether it be perpetrated by acquaintances or strangers.  

Deputy Director of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, EULEX staff called for people to speak up about the issue. “Now is the time to raise public awareness of what sexual act and sexual violence is,” Tarja Formisto said.  

Forensics Medicine Specialist at the Institute of Forensic Medicine expressed a similiar sentiment. “This is our direct contribution to helping victims achieve justice and break the silence that surrounds those who have something to say and those who must hear,” Bergita Curri said.  

The “Speak up in Time” campaign will continue through mid-2020.  

 

KWN Joins the March Seeking Justice for the Missing

PRISTINA – On Aug. 30, Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) along with other civil society organizations joined the event organized by Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YiHR), to march for those missing on the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. 

The New Born obelisk in the capital city was the meeting point of many citizens seeking justice and truth for over 1,600 missing persons, whose fate is still unknown, even two decades after the end of the last war in Kosovo. The participants held posters bearing the name of a missing person.  

During this event the New Born installation was exposed, which was covered with a black cloth as a symbolic gesture for the missing. From there, marchers headed towards the government building where organizers as well as family members of missing persons gave speeches. 

Bjeshka Guri, from YiHR said that “This march aims to raise awareness and collective social responsibility to seek truth and justice for the missing from all ethnic groups. It is the responsibility of each of us to raise our voice for the missing and their families.” 

Meanwhile, Arbenita Muhaxheri, a family member of the missing, urged the institutions to include the issue of missing persons on political dialogue agenda between Kosovo and Serbia. 

“I, along with other families of missing persons and Kosovar society, urge the state of Kosovo to prioritize the issue of missing persons and work on resolving their fate without any compromise,” she said. 

Over the years, KWN has sought responsibility for revealing the fate of the missing. 

Read also: 8 March: Women Seek Address, Justice for Missing Persons 

KWN condemns the imposition of house arrest measure against suspect Q.A., considering it insufficient 

On August 16 Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) through a press release expresses its deep indignation about the scandalous measure imposed by the Basic Court in Peja - Department for Serious Crimes against the suspect for the criminal offense of trafficking in human beings, committed in 2012 in the Municipality of Istog. The reported case in question is related to the suspicion of trafficking in human beings, enslavement and rape.

KWN insists that the measure that should have been immediately imposed was detention on remand, taking into account that defendant Q.A. refused several times to attend the court hearings reasoning that he was abroad. He was brought to the court proceedings by issuing a local wanted notice by Kosovo authorities.

Furthermore, KWN expresses its concern that such a culture of undignified treatment of alleged cases of trafficking in human beings is a further encouragement for the perpetrators of these criminal acts. This is because they are not getting the punishment they deserve in accordance with the foreseen legal measures. Therefore, we plead that the Court of Appeals imposes the measure of detention on remand until the final court review and resolution of the case.

Read HERE the full Press Release.

 

Kosovo Women’s Network condemns the imposition of house arrest measure against suspect Q.A., considering it insufficient

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Kosovo Women’s Network was informed th­­rough Koha.net about the scandalous measure imposed by the Basic Court in Peja – Department for Serious Crimes against the suspect for the criminal offense of trafficking human beings, committed in 2012 in the Municipality of Istog. The reported case in question is related to the suspicion of trafficking human beings, enslavement and rape.

KWN expresses its deep indignation over such a measure, finding the decision of the Court against suspect Q.A. and his co-perpetrators inadequate.

Based on Article 183 of the Criminal Procedure Code, in cases when there are circumstances that indicate that there is a danger of flight of the defendant, lesser measures to ensure the presence of such a person and to prevent re-offending are insufficient. ­

Since the defendant refused several times to attend court hearings, claiming that he was abroad, KWN insists that he should have been detained on remand . Furthermore, local Kosovo authorities had to issue a local wanted notice to bring him to court proceedings.

Article 187, paragraph 1.2.3. provides that detention on remand may also be imposed in cases when:

“The seriousness of the criminal offence, or the manner or circumstances in which it was committed and his or her personal characteristics, past conduct, the environment and conditions in which he or she lives or other personal circumstances indicate a risk that he or she will repeat the criminal offence, complete an attempted criminal offence or commit a criminal offence which he or she has threatened to commit.”

KWN expresses its concern that such treatment of alleged cases of human trafficking further encourages perpetrators of these criminal acts and prevents them from receiving the punishment they deserve in accordance with appropriate legal measures. Therefore, we plead that the Court of Appeals imposes the measure of detention on remand until the final court reviews and resolves the case.

American Student Appreciates KWN Internship, Willing to Cooperate in the Future

Mira Tan, 19 years old from California, United States of America (USA), was an Intern at the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) for one month, from June to July 2019. She is in her second year at Miami University, Ohio, co-majoring in International Studies and International Business with a minor in Chinese.

ISLA, Live Learn Intern, an international program offering internships for intrepid humanitarians, social entrepreneurs, and change-makers with local partner NGOs in Africa & Europe, matched Tan to work for four weeks with KWN.

During this short but productive time spent at KWN she mainly carried out duties related to social media activities, including the Communication Outreach Plan of two of KWN’s exhibitions titled “Break the Silence: Ending Violence Behind Walls.” She was especially involved in the exhibitions in Prishtina and Gjilan.

Read HERE this Exhibition’s Booklet.

Tan shared her internship experience, emphasizing the advantages she gained by working in another country and immersing herself in the Kosovar culture.

“This internship experience with KWN has been really educational, I really believe that this experience was invaluable and there wouldn’t be any place in America that I could have learned as much as I did here”, Tan said. “Also, as an intern, I was able to actually experience things first hand, like the exhibition, instead of being forced to stay in the office all day and just do random paperwork”, she said.

 

“Working closely with KWN’s staff I had an astonishing opportunity to get a hands-on experience on what a feminist movement looks like, how it works and most crucially its impact toward improving and promoting the rights and the interests of women and girls”, she highlighted.

Tan said she valued this KWN’s internship experience as an opportunity to expand her knowledge on gender equality-related issues. She especially noted that KWN’s vision is a Kosova where women and men are equal and have equal opportunities in every sphere, and that ISLA currently is working on Gender Equality as one of its key sectors.

“I really do appreciate this experience and I hope that I can come back one day to continue to collaborate with KWN”, she added.

Tan looks forward to continuing to share her awe-inspiring experience with her university colleges and her circle of friends, adding yet another brick to the wall of Kosovar-American friendship.

 

Civil Society Organizations Demand that Qehaja Be Held Responsible for Justification of Sexual Violence and Homophobic Views

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Only six days have passed since Kosovar pathologist Dr. Nazim Qehaja caused a scandal by openly justifying sexual violence, which he said occurs because a girl/woman dresses in a way that is “immoral and anti-national”.

Even after numerous reactions appeared on social media by activists for human rights, women’s rights, girls’ rights, and LGBT persons’ rights, Dr. Qehaja continued defending his view that sexual violence is justified in some cases and that rapists should not be punished nor held accountable before the law.

Referring to his profession as a doctor, he said that “not only humanly but also professionally and psycho-medically, rapists of such women, extremely provocative in public, should not be held accountable”. Further, to justify this statement, a few days later he added that only persons with “mental disorders” commit rape.

Moreover, following activists’ reactions, he said that a nation is in danger “when whores, fornicators, homosexuals and others with similar psychosomatic disorders speak for morality!”

Through this letter, we, the undersigned, remind Dr. Qehaja that if sexual assault were specific to persons with mental disorders, then our state, through laws in harmony with those of democratic developed countries, would not define sexual assault as a criminal offense, punishable with 2-10 years in prison, but as a mental health disorder. Therefore, this view is ungrounded and contrary to the law.

Justifying such criminal acts, including by blaming the victim for “provocative” clothing, is a form of public incitement to hatred, which is punishable by the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kosovo by fine or imprisonment of up to five years.

We also remind Dr.Qehaja who made a homophobic statement, that international medical professionals since 1990, through the World Health Organization, confirmed that homosexuality is not classified as a disease, much less a psychosomatic disease, as he defined it.

For lack of basic knowledge and incitement to hatred, in a democratic country, a person like Nazim Qehaja would have his diploma revoked and be banned from practicing duties as a medical doctor.

Recalling that medical profession in principle has equal and dignified treatment of all without distinction, we demand that the Doctors Committee publicly distance itself from the hate speech that Dr.  Qehaja has used against women, girls and LGBT persons; and that they condemn his language and his lack of medical professionalism.

The Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo guarantees freedom and security for every citizen, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, nation, race or religion. According to the law, any person inciting hatred and disunity must receive the deserved punishment. Therefore, we also demand that the State Prosecutor’s Office urgently take action against Dr. Qehaja.

Signed by:

DokuFest

Lumbardhi Foundation

Kosovo Civil Society Foundation – KCSF

Cultural Heritage without Borders Kosovo Foundation – CHwB

Community Development Fund – CDF

INTEGRA

Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development – KIPRED

Kosovar Youth Council – KYC

Equal Rights for All Coalition – ERAC

GAP Institute

Youth Initiative for Human Rights – YIHR

Organization for Increasing Quality of Education – ORCA

NGO Consumer

Centre for Equality and Liberty of the LGBT Community – CEL

Center for Social Group Development – CSGD Kosova

Art and Community Center – Artpolis

Advocacy Training and Resource Center – ATRC

European Center for Minority Issues – ECMI Kosovo

Center for Legal Aid and Regional Development – CLARD

Kosovar Gender Studies Center – KGSC

Kosovo Women’s Network – KWN

Kosovar Stability Initiative- IKS

Syri i Vizionit

Center for Counseling, Social Services and Research- SIT

Shkëlzen Maliqi

Lawyers Association – Norma

Numismatic Association – Demastion