The member organization of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), “Shqiponjat e Dardanës “, beneficiary of the 15th round of the Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF), has held meetings with women and young women from different villages in the municipality of Lipjan and Gracanica.

The purpose of these meetings was to advocate for the support of female candidates in the local elections of October 2021, as well as to raise awareness of women and young women from rural areas about the role of their vote.

At the meeting held in Kishnica on October 14, citizens from different communities living in Gracanica were present.

Havushe Bunjaku, the executive director of the NGO “Shqiponjat e Dardanës”, introduced the participants to the candidates from all communities, and thanked KWN for the support provided for the implementation of these informative meetings. Moreover, she mentioned the importance of increasing the participation of women in politics and decision-making.

The participants explained the reasons why their municipality needs women in the assembly, and why they will vote for more women.

“A woman in the municipal assembly means that the voice of all young women and women would be heard. The main problem that needs to be addressed is employment, in order to be independent and to prevent early marriages,” said participant Samira Selimovic.

“I will vote for women because they actually understand our daily problems. We need them to help us in labor and funding our initiatives,” said another participant, Raba Salievic.

As for Rita Gashi, self-employed in the collection of medicinal plants, it is important to have care for children.

“I am a mother of five children and my biggest obstacle has been lack of a kindergarten. I believe that a woman in the assembly would take this issue seriously, so that women have the opportunity to successfully become working mothers.” she said.

The activities of NGO “Shqiponjat e Dardanës” will continue after the elections, when meetings will be organized with women elected to the municipal assemblies of Lipjan and Gracanica, as well as with leaders of political parties.

These activities are supported by the European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo through the initiative “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics”, within the 15th round of the KWF. Recall that this round was also supported by the United Nations People’s Fund (UNFPA), and the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of the Austrian Cooperation Agency.