Dear Minister of Internal Affairs Mr. Xhelal Svecla,

Gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) seeks to ensure that funds are budgeted and spent towards addressing the potentially differing needs of diverse women, men, boys, and girls, as identified through gender analysis. According to Kosovo Law No. 05/L-020 on Gender Equality, GRB is mandatory for all public institutions. The non-implementation of GRB, as stipulated by this Law, constitutes a legal offense and is subject to sanctions. Further, the Government has an interest in implementing gender budgeting in the context of its commitments to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), precisely SDG 5, indicator 5.c.1; the Supplementary Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability Framework (PEFA) for the assessment of gender responsive public financial management (GRPFM); and, most importantly, as a best practice in financial management. Implementing GRB can contribute to more effective, efficient, accountable, and transparent spending of government resources, including towards achieving gender equality. Thus, the Ministry of Finance, Labour, and Transfers, through the budget circular, has requested that all central level budget organisations provide an addendum to their budget allocation requests for 2025 explaining how their 2025 budget ensures GRB.

Notably, the Government must involve gender equality officials from government entities and civil society organisations in public consultations pertaining to the budget, as mandated by Law 03/L-048 on the Management of Public Finances and Responsibilities. To support the Government in implementing its responsibilities, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), a network of 141 diverse women’s rights organisations, has prepared this letter towards improving GRB in the Law on Budget Appropriations for 2025. Our recommendation is based on KWN’s research and evidence of needs, towards furthering gender equality in Kosovo.

We strongly recommend that the Ministry of Internal Affairs enhance the protection of survivors of gender-based violence and prevent recidivism in cases of gender-based violence by allocating funds for purchasing and maintaining the electronic tagging systems, including electronic bracelets. These are critical for monitoring perpetrators and ensuring that they comply with restraining orders, providing an additional layer of safety for survivors.

KWN strongly urges the Ministry of Internal Affairs to implement this recommendation, towards institutionalising GRB in Kosovo, in line with existing commitments, and towards a more gender-responsive 2025 Budget. We also strongly encourage you to publish the addendum to your Ministry’s 2025 Budget, requested by the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers and in line with SDG 5.c.1., explaining transparently how your 2025 budget will contribute to furthering gender equality and the related expenditures foreseen.

Sincerely,

Igballe Rogova

Executive Director

Kosovo Women’s Network