Down Syndrome Kosova march to demand their rights

03.04.2018

On 21 March, marking the World Down Syndrome Day, organization Down Syndrome Kosovo, in cooperation with Kosovo Disability Forum, organized a awareness-arising march under the moto “Kosovo, support me; empower my right”. During this event, they brought up the demands for materializing the rights of disabled persons.
Disabled persons, their family members, citizens and officials from institutions—including the Ombudsperson, Hilmi Jashari– joined the march. Hilmi Jashari told the marchers that the concerns brought forward by disabled persons have been approved by the Ombudsperson Institution in order to encourage the public institutions of the Republic of Kosovo to materialize the rights guaranteed by the relevant laws and include, above all, the disabled persons all across the country.
“A country’s government is assessed by how it treats the most needy people. I believe in the values of this state, in the values of our institutions, to provide equal opportunities to all disabled persons so that they feel as an equal part of the Kosovar society”, Jashari said.
Representatives from the ranks of the march organizers declared that such protests will be organized in the future as well, until the rights of this social category are achieved.

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KWN sought #JusticeForAntigona in Rahovec

03.04.2018

 On 23 March, at 12:00 o’clock, organized by the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), activitists, representatives of the civil society organization and family members gathered in front of the building of the Court in Rahovec seeking justice for Antigona.

Late Antigona Morine passed away six years ago after suffering from a continuous haemorrhage caused to her three days after she got married. Not only did her spouse, Hilmi Zena, not ask for medical help, but he exacerbated the situation by continuing to have sexual intercourse with her.
This protest sought an urgent and adequate reaction from justice in Kosovo concerning the case of late Antigona Morina; the Court in Rahovec is suspected to have eliminated the case file prepared by the Prosecutor’s Office following a decision which found the main accused person, Hilmi Zeka, not guilty. Furthermore, KWN called for immediate action to address the omissions made in this case since destruction of official letters is not only a disciplinary responsibility, but also a serious offense. KWN constantly demands accountability and seriousity from the Kosovar justice when dealing with these cases in line with the provisions of the Criminal Code of Kosovo, an article of which, namely Article 415, stipulates a sentence to imprisonment of up to three years.
Unfortunately, this case took place one week after reports emerged that the person accused of murdering Donjeta Pajaziti had been released due to lack of evidence, and what is characteristic of the present case is that official documents related to it have been eliminated. Had it not been for the pressure of media reports and the family, this victim would have been long forgotten by the Kosovar justice.
KWN wrote, even in its press release of 19 march, that it is only by fair decisions that the justice institutions may influence in lowered violence or crime. Raising the awareness of institutions dealing with cases of gender-based violence will lead to more cases being reported, thereby securing this justice, defense, and rehabilitation for the cases of gender-based violence. 

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copyrights: Artpolis

Artpolist brings “The Vagina Monologues” in Oda Theater

03.04.2018

 Scenic reading “The Vagina Monologues” conquered the space of Oda Theater to talk about one of the greatest ‘mysteries’ of life—vagina. What would your vagina say if it could speak? “The Vagina Monologues” poses this and numerous other questions.

Originally written by Eve Ensler in 1996, amidst the third wave of American feminism, “The Vagina Monologues” fed on real life experiences and transformed them into a masterful episodic play. Since the early days, The Vagina Monologues has been shown in many countries in the world. With sexuality, sexual relationships, love and abuse being the main themes, the show is both painful and powerful.
Not only does reading help in encouraging a discussion on femininity, but it also attempts to raise the awareness of sexual abuse and domestic violence, which are, unfortunately, a normal experience for women.
Director of this reading, Zana Hoxha Krasniqi, who is also the Executive Director of the Center for Art and Community–Artpolis, said that, “It was about ideal time to read this text on its 20th anniversary”. Moreover, she declared that, “She directed the reading according to her own way so as to communicate with today’s women and inspire young girls to love their body. As regards boys and men, she said that the main idea was to encourage them to be more respectful towards the needs and individuality of their partners”.
 Vagina’s Monologues is an important feminist reading which places an emphasis on the difficulties that women face every day. In addition, this work sheds light on the various dimensions of the common mentality which has to be changed. The scenic reading consisted of numerous sketches, each treating a special topic. You can read herethe full article on this scenic reading. 

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NORMA published the Legal Education Guidelines on Protection of Women against Violence and Domestic Violence

31.03.2018

 On 27 March, Lawyers Association NORMA, a member organization of Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), organized an event on the publication of “Legal Guidelines on Protection of Women against Violence and Domestic Violence”. This event was held at the EU Information and Cultural Center (EUICC).
       Executive Director of NORMA, Ms. Valbona Salihu, opened the discussion informing the attendees of the content of the document. She also thanked UN Women and the EU Office in Kosovo for their support, the publication of these guidelines, and other activities that will take place in the continuation of the publication. 
       Representative of UN Women in Kosovo, Ms. Flora Macula, emphasized that the gender-based violence is a domain in which UN Women has been working in right from the outset. She also informed the attendees of the work that UN Women has done at both local and central level to establish multi-dimensional mechanisms to fight the gender-based violence, emphasizing that the support for this publication of these guidelines is a continuation of the work they have been doing. 
       Among others, Ms. Macula emphasized that, “Although we have seen improvement in the fight against gender-based violence, there is a need for more dedication and capital and human investment from the state institutions."
       On the other hand, Ms. Edi Gusia, Director of the Agency for Gender Equality (AGE) in Kosovo, said that, “AGE remains one of the main institutions for establishing the legal mechanisms for fighting the gender-based violence.” She further emphasized the importance of fighting gender-based violence, particularly when considering that it has led to several tragic cases during this year. 
      The appointment of the National Coordinator against Domestic Violence and the licensing of the shelter in Prishtina, which had been closed since 2016, were considered as positive. Furthermore, Ms. Gusia highlighted that, “The cooperation between the civil society and the Government has proven to be a good practice.”  
       On the other hand, Legal Expert Ariana Qosaj Mustafa, who is also member of the KWN Board, said that, “These guidelines are quite comprehensive and multi-dimensional in its role, and it will be important in facilitating the work of civil society and those of other governmental institutions having an execution role, which will benefit from these guidelines”, because, according to her, “this document synthetizes quite well all international conventions and domestic laws that aim at fighting the gender-based violence.” 
        Ms. Qosaj Mustafa also emphasized the work that KWN has done by sending comments related to the amendment of the Criminal Code, and a request to include an adequate definition of domestic violence and adequate punishment for perpetrators of this offense, in line with international conventions. She also highlighted the importance of adequate punishment for domestic violence perpetrators.
The panel meeting continued with questions and answers from attendees and present panel members.

 

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Advocacy towards the Implementation of GAP II in Brussels and the Western Balkans

31.03.2018

 With the support of Kvinna till Kvinna, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) has continued its advocacy work towards an improved implementation of the EU’s staff working document ‘Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: Transforming the Lives of Girls and Women through EU External Relations 2016-2020’ also known as GAP II in the Western Balkans. KWN has been doing this by presenting its report ‘Mind the GAP’ which includes research findings related to the implementation of this EU policy in Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, the Former Republic of Macedonia and Montenegro and recommendation as to how different responsible actors could improve their work in relation to institutionalizing different aspects of the inclusion of gender equality objectives in their daily work as foreseen of GAP II. 
           On the 14th of March 2018, a this report was presented to the Working Party on the Western Balkans Region (COWEB) in Brussels. COWEB, which involves representative of different EU Member States, is responsible for EU relations with Western Balkan (WB) countries. It deals with general political and economic development, the Stabilisation and Association Process and the financial Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). Among other issues discussed, KWN researchers Nicole Farnsworth and Iliriana Banjska requested support from COWEB in encouraging WB countries to make gender equality a priority, as part of the "fundamentals first" agenda.
   On the 14th of March 2018, KWN presented the report to officials from the political and cooperation sections of the EU Office in Kosovo (EUO). Overall, Kosovo performed better than other countries in the region, due in part to the fact that KWN has been contracted by the EUO since 2015 to provide technical assistance towards the implementation of GAP II. This has been noted as a best practice, both in the region and in Brussels, as it has contributed directly to improving implementation of the GAP II. The discussion with participants evolved mostly around the challenges of institutionalizing gender mainstreaming as an in-house practice among all officials, and how the EUO may raise more issues pertaining to gender equality as part of political dialogues. 
         The report also was presented at EU Delegations in Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, where officials from the Cooperation and Political sections welcomed recommendations towards intensifying efforts to implement GAP II. Representatives of civil society and member states also attended respective presentations of the publication in these countries, discussing possible ways forward.

 

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KWN held its regular Members meeting

13.03.2018

 On  March 5, 2018, at Hotel Sirius, Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) held its regular members meeting, the first one for 2018, which was attended by the representatives of member organizations, members of the Lobby for Gender Equality, supporters and representatives of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo.

Igballe Rogova, KWN Executive Director opened the meeting by welcoming the participants. She further reported on the agenda and presentations that would follow.
            Avis Benes, Head of the Public Information and Communication Unit and Silke Studzinsky, Head of Victims Participation Office from the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) made two presentations regarding the views, responsibilities and functioning of the Specialist Chambers and the victims’ participation scheme. Mrs. Benes explained in detail the history of the KSC, which are temporary judicial institutions that have jurisdiction over individuals only. Their mandate is to adjudicate allegations of crimes against humanity, war crimes and other crimes committed during the period from 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2000, related to the allegations mentioned in the report of 2011, of the Assembly of the Council of Europe.
            Further during the presentation, it was stated that the KSC intends to inform the public correctly in order to prevent false and inaccurate information. This is being done by focusing on presentations, panel discussions, lectures at universities, cooperation with non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations. After the discussions and a session of questions and answers, Mrs. Benes stated that “We will work hard and endeavour to prevent political interference in our justice processes.”
After the lunch, the time was reserved for the presentation of the EU-funded project “Moving Forward: Promoting Greater Efficiency and Effectiveness in the Fight against Trafficking in Human Beings in Kosovo”. This project is a joint effort of the Family and Childcare Center (KMOP), the European Public Law Organization (EPLO) and the Center for Protection of Victims and Prevention of Trafficking of Human Beings (PVPT), ”‹”‹which aims to further advance the general coordination of Anti-Trafficking in Kosovo, as well as the ways in which trafficking crimes are investigated and prosecuted, victims and witnesses are protected, and the provision of services is planned, managed and implemented in cooperation with the civil society sector. Sadete Kastrati, KMOP Grants Expert, informed about the announced Call for Project- Proposals.
            Further, Iliriana Banjska, KWN Gender Issues analyst, also co-author, presented the findings and recommendations resulting from the latest KWN report, “Mind the GAP”, which Ms. Banjska and Nicole Farnsworth during January have presented also to senior officials of the European Commission, in Brussels. This report illustrates the implementation of the European Union Gender Action Plan and the shortcomings of this process in the Western Balkans. You can read the full report on the KWN website.
            Later on, members shared information about their activities, whereupon Fazile Bungu from the Hendifer Association, Ferizaj, announced that also in Ferizaj they are marching to mark 8th of March. Fikrije Ferizi, from Women’s Association ATO, Vushtrri, informed that a roundtable will be organized in Vushtrri to mark the International Women’s Day. Gjejrane Lokaj from the Women’s Initiative Association, Dragash, announced that the 8th of March will be marked in Dragash by organizing, together with Lobby members, signature of a petition to open maternity units. Meanwhile, Nevenka Rikallo from the Association Ruka Ruci awarded certificates of appreciation to Igballe Rogova and Yllka Soba for their given support and contribution in the process of opening the shelter in Novoberde.
            Also, Mrs. Rogova announced that on 27-29 April, KWN supported by the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation and with own participation, will organize members meeting in Durres, in order to work on the developing and drafting of the new KWN Strategy 2019-2022. Mrs. Rogova also added that the next regular members meeting will be in June. Since the World Blood Donation Day happens to be in June, KWN will try to organize blood donation during the meeting as a voluntary activity.
 Another issue discussed with members was proposing two names, a KWN member and an external expert, who will be a part of the Grants Review Committee of Kosovo Women’s Fund. The next round will be opened as soon as the KWN will sign the contracts with donors.
            Members were notified and invited to join the march that will be organized by the Collective We march, we don’t celebrate, at the Zahir Pajaziti Boulevardon 8 March starting at 12:00.
            This meeting was held by the partial support of the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation as well as the Kosovo Specialist Chambers.

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KWN Publishes Report: From Words to Action?

12.03.2018

     On 12 March 2018, at Hotel Sirius in Prishtina, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) published a new report: From Words to Action? Monitoring the Institutional Response to Gender-based Violence in Kosovo.
     “It was 2004 when we first protested publicly for protection from domestic violence; at that time, violence was a taboo and private topic,” said Igballe Rogova, KWN Executive Director during her opening remarks. “Since then, we have seen institutional progress, from the Law on Protection against Domestic Violence to strategies and action plans against domestic violence. However, the legal framework still is not sufficiently applied. As the title of our new report says, we don’t want any more words. We want action!”
     During the publication launching, KWN discussed the recommendations with key institutions responsible for implementing the legal framework. The co-author, Adelina Berisha presented the key findings and recommendations, some of which included:

  • The National Coordinator for Domestic Violence is a political position, namely that of the Deputy Minister of Justice; therefore, without a functioning government, Kosovo has lacked this key coordinating body for more than a year. Perhaps due in part to this, only an estimated 19% of the second National Strategy for protection from domestic violence and action plan for 2016-2020 has been implemented.
  • Inter-institutional cooperation remains weak, including a lack of comprehensive data and case management systems.
  • Shelters struggle to stay open and to provide consistent, quality services.
  • Rehabilitation and reintegration programs remain nearly non-existent for both perpetrators and victims.
  • Several institutions continue to blame victims for the violence perpetrated against them, which contributes also to light sentencing or to no penalties whatsoever. This can lead to recidivism.

    “The main challenge is the mentality,” said Sevdije Morina, Deputy State Prosecutor. Violence is not a private issue, she said. “It should be treated as violation of law regardless of the victim’s declaration. We have worked to tell prosecutors that they must build a case regardless of the victim’s statements, as victims may change their statements.”
     “While the persons holding the position of National Coordinator have changed, the challenges have remained,” observed Naim Qelaj, the Deputy Minister of Justice and recently appointed National Coordinator on Domestic Violence from the Ministry of Justice. “I learned a lot from this report, and I believe that all of the recommendations are in line with the National Strategy. I promise that I will address all recommendations.” He said that he would soon call an inter-ministerial meeting to ensure that all institutions also will be aware of the recommendations and that they will work to implement them.
     “Everything that the Kosovo Women’s Network initiates is positive,” said Biljana Rexhiq, a judge representing the Kosovo Judicial Council. “I also highly value the research journalists from BIRN. I was also monitored by them. The findings and recommendations by BIRN and KWN are thoroughly analysed and we should use them as a guide for preventing violence against women, particularly domestic violence.” Moreover, she stated that the Head of the Kosovo Judicial Council, “agrees with all of this … and he will take all measures by law to address gender-based violence.”
      “The research is making us talk and improve ourselves,” agreed Adile Shaqiri, Senior Officer for Protection of Victims of Trafficking, Sexual Crimes and Domestic Violence from the Department of Social and Family Policy in the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
      In December 2016, Kosovo adopted its second National Strategy on Protection from Domestic Violence and Action Plan 2016 – 2020 (NSPDV). Since then, several initiatives have sought to build the capacity of public institutions to implement this and other legal responsibilities pertaining to domestic violence. While sexual harassment has been discussed more in public fora in recent years, other forms of gender-based violence, particularly sexual violence, remain largely invisible and under-researched.
     Between August and November 2017, KWN and the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) monitored the extent to which institutions that have a legal responsibility to protect persons who have suffered gender-based violence are implementing the relevant legal framework. Monitoring also aimed to examine any changes since KWN’s 2015 research on attitudes, awareness and performance of institutions working with cases of gender-based violence; and to assess implementation of the NSPDV to date. The final report draws from findings from case monitoring, interviews with 84 representatives of relevant institutions and a review of quantitative data.
     In addition to the aforementioned panellists, representatives from several institutions, media outlets, international organizations, UN agencies, and civil society also participated in the launching event.
     This research was made possible with support from the Austrian Development Agency. As Arsim Aziri, Head of Administration, Advisor Private Sector from the Austrian Development Agency stated during the presentation, Austrian Development Cooperation seeks to include women’s empowerment in all of their work. He announced that they look forward to continuing their long-term cooperation and support to KWN, considering that the “results are there”.

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Students from the University of Vienna learn about KWN

02.03.2018

 During January, students from the University of Vienna and European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation conducted a study visit in Kosovo. In the framework of this visit, on January 20, the students also met with Igballe Rogova, Executive Director of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN)  at the Hotel Sirius in Prishtina.

They showed 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, as well as for the war period in Kosovo, when this association did not cease at all its activity to help Kosovars who were placed in camps as refugees. Attendees also had the opportunity to be informed about the history of the women’s movement in Kosovo, how the first women’s rights organizations in Kosovo were founded, and the history and work of KWN since its founding in 2000 as an informal network. Among other things Rogova also mentioned investigative reports on gender-based violence and sexual harassment in Kosovo; Establishment of the Council for Survivors of Sexual Violence in Kosovo; As well as for initiatives and researches with regard to the monitoring of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 in Kosovo, Resolution on Women, Peace and Security.
            By expressing their gratitude for the meeting, the students said that this was one of the most informative lecture they had during their stay in Kosovo.

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Mind the GAP: KWN Advocates for an improved implementation of the EU’s Staff Working Document in the Western Balkans

02.03.2018

After two weeks of intense field research on the implementation of GAP II in the Western Balkans, more specifically in Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, the Former Republic of Macedonia and Montenegro, Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) presented its report ‘Mind the GAP’ in Brussels on the 22nd of January 2018. The European Commission (EC) and the European External Action Service (EEAS) published this Staff Working Document titled ‘Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: Transforming the Lives of Girls and Women through EU External Relations 2016-2020’ in 2016. Participants included officials from Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development, Country Desks and others from the European Commission.
            “This report is like a list you make for cleaning your house, you don’t like it, but it is good because you needed to clean the house”, said Charlotte Isaksson, Senior Gender Advisor to the European External Action Service. Other participants present welcomed KWN’s report with great pleasure, praising its detailed findings and clear and practical recommendations.
            Besides the report being presented, KWN used its time in Brussels to meet up bilaterally with specific officials to discuss specific recommendations from the report. All in all, this advocacy trip proved to be rather successful and fruitful as it resulted in KWN expanding its network in Brussels and put some important point related to the implementation of GAP II on the agenda in the region and in Brussels. 

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Feminism, solidarity and women’s resistance in Kosovo

02.03.2018

 Hosted by the Kosovo Center for Gender Studies (KCGS), a discussion panel meeting on “Feminism, solidarity, and women’s resistance in Kosovo” was held on 25 January at Kadare Bar & Books cafeteria, Prishtina. The panel was composed of Linda Gusia, feminist and lecturer at the Department of Sociology, Hasan Prishtina University, and Blert Morina, feminist and activist of LGBT community rights and director of the Center for Equality and Freedom (CEF). Luljeta Demolli, KCGS Executive Director, facilitated the panel. 

Feminist movement has been recently embraced by girls, women, boys, and men all over the world, and Kosovo is no exception for this trend. Today in Kosovo, we see more and more young people being identified with the feminist movement and engaged in their daily lives in working towards gender equality. However, feminist movement in Kosovo started earlier. Women and girls in Kosovo have given their contribution to gender equality – a main cause of feminism. The women and girls’ role in various processes of social and political developments has been important but recognized little.
In this regard, Linda Gusia mentioned in her speech the role of women’s movement since 70s and 80s of the last century. In addition, she talked about various types of feminism that exist today in the world, and stressed the importance of cooperation among different activists towards achieving the common goal–gender equality and respect for human rights.
Blert Morina, on the other hand, emphasize the role of activism as a tool for achieving gender equality and respect for human rights. He also mentioned the role that solidarity and cooperation among activities plays as a good way to achieving equality, but also as a means to influence citizens’ mobilization. Among others, he mentioned the organization of “Parade of Pride”, which because of solidarity and cooperation among activists, achieved success mentioned as a success story by various media around the world.
The panel participants agreed that it was only through solidarity and cooperation of activists representing various groups that the cause of gender equality will go further. Women from rural and urban areas, women with formal and informal education, women coming from various ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds, women with a different sexual orientation, and any person that feels himself or herself feminist, were invited by the participants to join the feminist movement and activism in order to achieve the gender equality.
Ms. Demolli from KCGS informed the participants that this is the first panel of this kind, and the second panel meeting, in which another topic will be discussed, is planned to be held in the months that follow. In addition, Ms. Gusia emphasized that it is important that such discussions take place in the premises of the public university, where the next meeting was decided to be held. These panel discussions have been supported by Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation. 

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