On April 16, Ruka Ruci organization held an informative session with Serbs women in Fushë Kosova’s Uglarë, with the purpose to brief them with the initiative “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics”.

This four year-long initiative is implemented by Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) together with Ruka Ruci, Organization of Persons with Muscular Dystrophy of Kosovo (OPMDK), and the European Women Lawyers Association (EWLA), whereas it is supported by the European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo.

In this meeting present were representatives of the municipalities of Graçanica and of Fushë Kosova, and also co-operators and volunteers of the Ruka Ruci organization.

Initially, Nevenka Rikalo, Executive Director of Ruka Ruci, shared with the participants the most crucial information about this action, including here objectives and results they are expecting from the implementation of this joint initiative.

She has further mentioned the importance of solidarity between the women.

“There is a lack of solidarization between women and girls, and hence some networks exist in order for us to achieve our goals. Kosovo Women’s Network, Coalition for Equality (CfE) and Kosovo Lobby for Gender Equality (KLGE) are among these networks”, she stated.

Suzana Emini, Assistant Coordinator, Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation has acknowledged that the time has come for women to be in political positions and also have a say in decision-making process.

“During the election time there is a huge gap [between men and women]. Men receive more support and more money, while women cannot do the same because of the lack of contacts”, Emini stated.

While agreeing with the absence of support towards the women, Snezana Stajoneviq from the Municipality of Fushë Kosova, added that it is time for increased participation of women in politics.

“Women in politics are not themselves, they are usually somebody else’s marionette. We are always finding reasons to not take part, but now the time has come to be part of politics and for this we need support”, she said.

Participants further discussed the best ways of women’s public representation, sharing together the features that make a woman a successful public figure.

“Door to door” activities and grants to member organizations of KWN, are some of the issues that women present discussed, in order to know better the plan of initiative “Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics”.

Such meetings will take place also in the Municipality of Gracanica, Novo Brdo, North Mitrovica, Zubin Potok, Obilic and Ranilug.

This initiative is supported by the European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo.