Kosovo Women's Network

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.

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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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Activists Raise Awareness on Gender-Based Violence

01.02.2019

Gender-based violence involves any form of violence committed by one person against another person because of that person’s gender. In Kosovo, women and girls are significantly more affected by different forms of violence, only because of their gender.

Considering this fact and concerned about the many women and girls experiencing violence, the organization Modern Woman (Gruja Bashkohore) has taken initiative to raise awareness of citizens in Prizren about gender-based violence.

On 25 Jan., Modern Woman held a workshop on sexual violence. The workshop discussed forms of sexual violence, misconceptions and facts about sexual violence. Particular emphasis also was placed on sharing information about medical help and the process of reporting to police.

Among the many participating students, this workshop was attended by Shpresa Emra, Judge from the Prizren Municipal Court; Mybexhele Zhuri, Gender Equality Officer in Prizren Municipality; Shpresa Jonuzaj from Prizren Police; Jubilea Kabashi, Director at the Shelter of Prizren; and representatives from civil society organizations led by women.

During the workshop, Adelina Hasani, a representative of the FEMActive initiative, spoke about key concepts related to gender equality and the use of the terms like ‘sex’ and ‘gender’. She also discussed international mechanisms for achieving gender equality, about sexual violence, the definition of sexual violence, and many other issues relating to gender-based violence.

In conclusion, Fetije Mehmeti, Director of Modern Woman, said that she was satisfied with the interest that this workshop has awakened among young people, who were very involved in the discussion.

This project was supported by the Kosovo Women’s Fund of the Kosovo Women’s Network, funded by the Austrian Development Agency.

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Mitrovica Centre Seeks Improved Parental Leave in Kosovo

01.02.2019

On Jan. 23, the Centre for Protection of Woman and Child (CPWC) Raba Voca organized the first advocacy meeting with women municipal assembly members and municipal councillors, as part of their initiative “Parental Leave as a future model in Kosovo”.

Their initiative aims to promote the idea of an appropriate parental leave model, which “Would directly affect the child’s health and build child-parent relationships”, according to Fidane Hyseni, Director CPWC Raba Voca.

Based on the current Law on Labour in Kosovo, men are not explicitly entitled to parental leave. Rather, they are allowed only two days paid leave and two weeks without pay, which they can use at any time prior to the child reaching the age of three. The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) and its member organizations, including CPWC Raba Voca, consider this a violation of the Law on Gender Equality.

“The current provisions [in the Labour Law] do not offer the same rights to women and men,” said Iliriana Banjska, KWN Project Coordinator, who has intensively researched labour rights. “The Law on Gender Equality says that women and men should have the same rights. Yet, currently women and men do not have the same amount of time or financial incentives to take off work to spend quality time with their children,” she continued. “This also has indirect implications on equality in employment and on being an active member of society.”

During their initiative, CPWC Raba Voca plans to conduct a survey with citizens in Mitrovica and the surrounding municipalities, supported by KWN staff members with expertise in methodology design and surveying. Then, CPWC Raba Voca will use the findings to advocate for improved public awareness and political attention to this issue.

In explaining the action to officials participating in their first meeting, Ms. Hyseni took the opportunity to advocate for their support in addressing recommendations arising from the survey.

Additionally, CPWC Raba Voca also discussed with officials the financial challenges that their women’s shelter faces on a daily basis. Their only aims is to provide a safe place for women who have experienced gender-based violence. However, they lack sufficient financial resources to do this, despite the state’s obligation to ensure such protection. Activists called upon municipal assembly members and councillors to support the shelter by allocating a municipal property for the shelter to use free of charge, thereby substantially decreasing its operational costs.

Notably, such a step by the municipality would support the government in fulfilling its commitments to implement the Istanbul Convention.

CPWC Raba Voca’s advocacy initiatives are receiving support from the KWN Kosovo Women’s Fund, funded by the Austrian Development Agency.

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Mitrovica Centre Seeks Improved Parental Leave in Kosovo

01.02.2019

Me 23 janar Qendra për Mbrojtjen e Gruas dhe Fëmijës (QMGF) Raba Voca organizoi takimin e parë avokues me gratë asambleiste dhe këshilltarët komunal, në kuadër të iniciativës “Pushimi prindëror si model i ardhshëm në Kosovë”.

Kjo iniciativë ka për qëllim të promovojë idenë e një modeli të përshtatshëm të pushimit prindëror, me ç’rast sipas drejtores së QMGF Raba Voca, Fidane Hyseni, “Do të ndikonte drejtpërdrejtë në shëndetin e fëmijës dhe ndërtimin e raporteve fëmijë – prindër”.

Duke u bazuar në Ligjin aktual të Punës, burrave nuk u njihet e drejta për pushim të përbashkët prindëror, duke u lejuar që ata të marrin pushim vetëm dy ditë me pagesë dhe dy javë pa pagesë, të cilën mund ta marrin kurdo para se fëmiu të arrijë moshën tre vjeçare. Rrjeti Grave të Kosovws dhe anwtaret e saj pwrfshirw QMGF Raba Voca konsiderojnë këtë shkelje të Ligjit për Barazi Gjinore.

“Dispozitat e tanishme [në Ligjin e Punës] nuk ofrojnë të drejta të njëjta për gratë dhe burrat,” tha Iliriana Banjska, Koordinatore e Projektit e RrGK, e cila ka hulumtuar intensivisht të drejtat e punës. “Ligji për Barazinë Gjinore thotë se gratë dhe burrat duhet të kenë të njëjtat të drejta. Megjithatë grate dhe burrat ende nuk kanë kanë të njejtën kohë apo nxitje financiare për të hequr dorë nga puna për të kaluar kohë me fëmijet e tyre,” vazhdoi ajo. “Kjo gjithashtu ka implikime indirekte mbi barazinë në punësim dhe për të qenë një anëtar aktiv i shoqërisë”.

Më tej, znj. Hyseni prezantoi punën dhe aktivitetet që do të zhvillohen në kuadër të kësaj inicative, dhe ndër aktivitetet kryesore do të jetë anketimi që do të zhvillohet me qytetarët e Mitrovicës.

RrGK ka ofruar sesione mentorimi në draftimin dhe metodologjinë e anketës. Ndërkaq, znj Hyseni shfrytëzoi rastin që të avokojë të sigurojë mbështetjen e të pranishmëve në adresimin e rekomandimeve të dala nga anketimi.

Në pjesën e dytë të takimit QMGF “Raba Voca” diskutuan edhe për për sfidat, sidomos ato financiare, që ballafaqohet në baza ditore strehimorja, vetëm që tu mundësojnë një vend të sigurtë grave që kanë përjetuar dhunë me bazë gjinore. Ato bënë thirrje asambleisteve dhe këshilltarëve komunal që të përkrahin strehimoren, duke avokuar që të alokohet ndonjë pronë komunale që do t’i ipej për shfrytëzim strehimores.

Ky projekt është mbështetur nga Fondi i Grave të Kosovës (FGK) i RrGK-së edhe është financuar nga Agjencioni Austriak për Zhvillim (ADA).

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KWN Provides Input for SAA Sub-Committee on Innovation, Information Society and Social Policy

01.02.2019

The 2019 cycle of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement Subcommittees will begin in February with a meeting on Innovation, Information Society and Social Policy, where issues such as telecommunications, media, social policies, employment and education will be discussed.

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 the upcoming Policy Dialogue meeting between the Kosovo Government and European Union (EU) representatives, the EU Office in Kosovo organized a public consultation with civil society organisations (CSOs) on Jan. 28 in Pristina, attended by the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), among others.

KWN delivered practical suggestions and concrete policy recommendations to EU officials related to education reforms, labour and social welfare. KWN recommended closer monitoring of the gender review of education curricula towards transforming existing gender norms through education, including involvement of women rights CSOs in this process, as well as follow-up actions to train teachers based on the reforms. Suzana Bytyci-Jagxhiu, representative of the EU Office in Kosovo, suggested that CSOs should be more involved in monitoring the implementation of the Law on School Textbooks.

Regarding access to education, KWN emphasized the need to allocate a budget for personal assistants for children with disabilities and for the government to ensure accessible public transport so that all children can realize their right to education. KWN noted the gender segregation that exists in academic pathways, as described in the recent Kosovo Gender Analysis. KWN also recommended that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology together with municipalities put in place policies that can enhance the gender balance at all levels, in accordance with the Law on Gender Equality.

Related to labour and social welfare, KWN addressed the issue of amendments needed for the current Labour Law, particularly related to maternal, paternal and parental leave, as recommended based on KWN’s, among others’, prior research. KWN also recommended transposing the concept of self-employed women, stating that the law needs to address their right to equal parental leave and to benefit from social and health insurance. Together with other civil society representatives, KWN brought attention to the lack of child-care options, particularly in rural areas, which research has shown to directly hinder women’s employment.

A highlight of this consultation was discussion surrounding the government’s approach to addressing the informal economy. KWN reiterated its previously raised recommendation that in its efforts to address the informal economy, the government must conduct a gender analysis to inform better tackling of this issue, using a “do no harm approach”. KWN also recommended that labour inspectors need further training on gender equality-related inspections associated with health and safety at work. EU representatives agreed that the increase in the number of labour inspectors is insufficient and that inspectors need to increase their professional capacity as well.

Each SAA meeting will result in jointly agreed follow-up actions for the Kosovo authorities to take. KWN hopes that these actions will consider the recommendations made by civil society representatives.

Additionally, EU officials stated that they will consider these issues in the annual Kosovo Country Report for 2019.

KWN’s preparation and advocacy work related to integrating a gender perspective in the EU Accession process is supported by the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, with financial support from Sida. The views herein represent those of KWN and are not necessarily those of its financial supporters.

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Women of Krusha e Vogël Discuss About Cervical Cancer

01.02.2019

On 1 February, Association of Women Farmers “Krusha e Vogël” held its next activity at Central Family Medicine Centre (CFMC) in Prizren, within the framework of the action “Supporting Women through the Menopause”.

Around 20 women and girls from the village of Krusha e Vogël discussed about cervical cancer together with the lecturer Dr. Hanife Hoxha, Coordinator for Continuing Professional Development at MFMC Prizren.

Dr. Hoxha gave a detailed explanation related to the symptoms of this type of cancer, factors that increase the chances of being affected by cervical cancer, and also revealed the importance of regular medical checks.

“The symptoms do not appear at the early stages of cervical cancer, while over time the signs that can be obvious are pain after sexual intercourse, bleeding after the climax, rapid weight loss, as well as the repetition of the menstrual cycle shortly after it has been finished”, stated Dr. Hoxha.

Pap Test is the way through which this particular cancer can be detected, therefore Dr. Hoxha shared with the participants advices for undergoing this test.

Further, Dr. Hoxha called for awareness raising regarding gynaecological visits, while seizing this opportunity to announce that women and girls of Prizren for one year can do Pap test free of charge.

At the end of the discussion, women participants highly appreciated the benefits gained from this initiative, counting here awareness raising about the role of reproductive health at the general wellbeing as the most important one.

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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New Action Seeks to Empower Women’s Participation in Politics

31.01.2019

On Jan. 24, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), Organisation of Persons with Muscular Dystrophy of Kosovo (OPMDK), Ruka Ruci (RR) and the European Women Lawyers Association (EWLA) officially launched their new joint action, “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics”, in the amount of €600,500, with €540,000 supported by the European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo and €60,500 from other contributions.

From now through Dec. 2022, they will work together towards increasing women’s participation in politics and decision-making at both local and central levels. This initiative will contribute to achieving KWN’s Strategy for 2019-2022, recently adopted by KWN members in Dec. 2018. More specifically, this Action seeks to improve the capacities, inclusiveness, solidarity, representativeness and political engagement of women’s networks, so they may engage more in Kosovo’s EU accession process.

In addition to supporting KWN, the initiative will strengthen the Kosovo Lobby for Gender Equality (KLGE), which brings together women in politics and civil society, as well as men supporters, at the municipal level to advocate for actions towards gender equality locally. The initiative also will support the Coalition for Equality (CfE), a newly formed coalition in 2018, which unites diverse women from politics and civil society at both national and municipal levels in advocating together for important reforms towards gender equality. Designed in close consultation with KWN, KLGE and CfE members, this action seeks to address the greatest challenges faced by women in politics today.

The Law on Gender Equality (LGE) defines equal representation as 50% participation of women and men at all levels. However, electoral laws are not aligned and sanctions for not implementing the LGE are rare. Moreover, representation requirements set by the LGE are not met by most central and municipal level institutions. Following 2017 municipal and central elections, women comprise only 33% of municipal assembly members, 32% of parliamentarians, 10% of ministers, 5% of deputy ministers and 0% of mayors. Women with disabilities, as well as Roma, Ashkali, Egyptian and Gorani women are not represented.

“Women with disabilities are seldom mentioned and discriminated against not only in relation to men, but also ignored by the society in general”, said Resmija Rahmani from OPMDK. “I know that we won’t be able to eradicate the problem completely. However, I believe that one step at a time, we can really push for changes.”

As stated in the Kosovo Gender Analysis, compiled by KWN, obstacles to women’s participation in politics include socialized gender stereotypes suggesting that women are not sufficiently qualified or capable of being political leaders; political parties’ resistance to involving women; low financing; minimal media coverage of women politicians; women’s time constraints due to care responsibilities at home; and weak connections with constituents.

In order to address these challenges, the new initiative will work closely with women politicians at all levels and women interested in entering politics towards enhancing their capacities. Moreover, considering their significant underrepresentation to date, the initiative aspires to engage women with disabilities and women from minority ethnic groups more in the aforementioned networks, as well as in politics and decision-making. Inclusiveness and solidarity are fundamental values in this initiative to expand the women’s movement in Kosovo. More meetings between women politicians and citizens, organized in municipalities throughout Kosovo, will seek to engage women citizens, particularly those previously marginalized, in political and decision-making processes. They will have opportunities to bring their concerns directly to decision-makers. Grants to women’s rights groups amounting to a €105,000 over four years will support joint advocacy efforts, together with women politicians, towards gender equality at the local level.

All networks will benefit from the expertise from European lawyers, related to Kosovo’s EU Accession process and reforms needed to align Kosovo law with the EU Gender Equality Acquis. Meanwhile, new philanthropic initiatives and a strengthened Volunteer Program will seek to secure resources to better sustain the women’s movement in the future.

This initiative builds on the successes of several previous KWN initiatives, achievements made in the last KWN Strategy for 2015-2018, existing collaboration with KLGE and CfE and the inspirational work of OPMDK and RR in engaging previously marginalized women in advocacy initiatives, supported by the KWN Kosovo Women’s Fund.

“The network selected you specifically thanks to the work and results you have achieved through small grants,” said Igballe Rogova, KWN Executive Director, during the partners’ first joint meeting. “We need an active voice for women with disabilities and women from minorities as part of the feminist movement and political decision-making processes.” KWN also will seek to actively engage its other member organisations in different dimensions of this initiative.

Representatives from OPMDK and RR expressed their willingness and enthusiasm for this initiative.

“This project comes with many responsibilities and challenges,” said Nevenka Rikalo, RR Executive Director, “but I am sure that together we will do even better than we have initially planned.”

All partners agreed that only through genuine cooperation can we work towards advancing and empowering women to participate in politics and decision-making, especially increasing the number of marginalized women engaged in political processes.

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Students from the University of Vienna learn about KWN

29.01.2019

In Jan., students from the University of Vienna and European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratization conducted a study visit in Kosovo. During this visit, on Jan. 19, the students met with Igballe Rogova, Executive Director of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) at Hotel Sirius in Prishtina.

They demonstrated an interest in learning more about the experiences of women’s rights activists in Kosovo, recent developments, human rights challenges, peace and security, as well as obstacles and opportunities in the future.

Ms. Rogova initially spoke about activism during the 1990s in Kosovo, for the ‘Sisters Qiriazi’ Association. Even during the war in Kosovo, this Association did not cease its activities in helping Kosovars in refugee camps.

Attendees also heard about the history of the women’s movement in Kosovo, how the first women’s rights organizations in Kosovo were founded and about the history and work of KWN. Rogova described KWN’s investigative reports on gender-based violence and sexual harassment in Kosovo, as well as initiatives and research monitoring the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security in Kosovo.

The students expressed their gratitude for the meeting and said that this was one of the most informative lectures that they had heard during their stay in Kosovo.

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“Psychotherapists in Action” improving palliative care in Kosovo

29.01.2019

On Jan. 28, “Psychotherapists in Action” association conducted its next visit as part of the initiative “Advancing palliative care in Kosovo and raising awareness among the community for people with special needs.”

On this occasion, a five-membered family in the village of Pediq of Gjilan was visited. Doctor Ramize Ahmeti-Ibrahimi together with a medical team conveyed health check-ups of all members, while also advising them on the next steps.

Family members expressed their satisfaction with this initiative, stressing that this was the first time that such thing is being done in this village.

Apart from residents, the benefits of this initiative were also acknowledged by Doctor Ahmeti-Ibrahimi, which revealed that through these kinds of visits they achieved to make early detections of illnesses too, which has also an impact in awareness raising about the importance of frequent medical examinations.

Whereas, Sevdije Musliu, Director of Psychotherapists in Action, stated that a large number of people of all ages have benefited from this initiative, even though it is still undergoing.

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

18.06.25