Today in Brussels, Adelina Berisha from the Kosovo Women\u2019s Network (KWN), together with a Western Balkans coalition supported by the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, shared remarks on women\u2019s participation in democracy, Kosovo\u2019s European Union integration and the EU next long-term budget. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Referring to the European Commission\u2019s message, \u201cDemocracy: Protect What Matters,\u201d Berisha asked what exactly is being protected when democracy is protected. She stressed that democracy cannot be fully protected if women are excluded from decision-making, women\u2019s rights organisations lack resources to influence policies, or women\u2019s priorities are not reflected in public spending. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She emphasised that women\u2019s participation is not an additional benefit of democracy, but a condition for making it meaningful and resilient. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gender Equality in Kosovo\u2019s EU Integration and Reform Agenda<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kosovo\u2019s Reform Agenda includes 111 reform steps, with access to up to \u20ac882.6 million under the EU Growth Plan. Berisha stressed that beyond the number of reforms and funding available, the key question is how these reforms will improve women\u2019s lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Referring to KWN\u2019s monitoring, she highlighted continuing gaps in protection for survivors of violence, inadequate investigations and difficulties accessing essential services. She emphasised that progress must be measured not only through legislation and formal commitments, but also through effective institutions, adequately funded services and tangible improvements in women\u2019s safety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Berisha called on the EU to integrate gender equality into Kosovo\u2019s reform process and rule-of-law monitoring through measurable results, gender-responsive budgeting and meaningful participation of independent women\u2019s rights organisations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n She also underlined that women\u2019s participation is essential to peace and security, stressing that women from all communities in Kosovo must have a meaningful role in conflict prevention, reconciliation and the Kosovo\u2013Serbia dialogue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n