In Kosovo, many women who experienced sexual violence during the war continue to face profound psychological and social consequences. Their situation worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, as delays in applying for legal recognition and verification of their status as wartime victims coincided with the resurfacing of traumatic memories during prolonged isolation. At this critical moment, the Center for the Promotion of Women’s Rights (QPDG) in Drenas stepped in to provide much-needed support. Through their initiative, 30 survivors of wartime sexual violence got to participate in psychosocial group sessions, health education workshops and activities designed to promote social interaction and overall psychological wellbeing.
Over the course of three months, three groups of 10 women each took part in psychosocial therapy sessions, which provided them with an opportunity to share their experiences, break through isolation and gradually rebuild confidence. Recreational and relaxing activities, such as meditation sessions, discussions and moments of laughter, helped relieve daily stress and provide small outlets from the weight of trauma.
Additionally, lectures were held on women’s right to quality health care. These sessions covered early detection and treatment of breast cancer, reproductive and sexual health and sexually transmitted infections. Lecturers and participants also discussed the importance of sexual education in schools and the significance of disseminating this vital information to younger generations. The last session held covered citizens’ rights in cases of health care violations and provided guidance on how to utilize available resources if faced with such violations.
Following the health care sessions, free mammograms as well as diabetes screenings were offered to the participating women. Most underwent these procedures, some for the very first time. Women who were found to have high blood sugar levels were provided with further health services to manage them.
Throughout the initiative, special attention was paid to women who had been denied their status as survivors of wartime sexual violence. The sessions gave them a rare sense of recognition and belonging, and served as a reminder of the significance of their experiences.
Step by step, the sessions formed a supportive community, where the women not only addressed their past but began to imagine a different future. By the end of the initiative, survivors described feeling more connected, less isolated and better equipped to face daily challenges.
“Rehabilitation, coping with trauma, a sense of belonging, safety and empowerment, and the fight against stigma, are the main services of our organization. The voice of survivors will never be silenced – every day it will grow louder and stronger,” says QPDG’s psychologist, Anita Istogu.
QPDG still offers both individual sessions aimed at rehabilitation, coping with trauma and developing a healthy lifestyle, and group sessions that focus on learning emotional management techniques, coping with stress, fostering a sense of belonging and sharing experiences. Women gather regularly at the Center, which welcomes both those who have already received legal status and those who are in the process of applying.
“This is our second home. We feel good and safe here. Every time they call us, we come with joy, meet with the staff and with each other, build friendships, work on different crafts, and relax. Sometimes we come without an invitation, because if we don’t come for a week or two, we really miss this place,” says one survivor.
QPDG’s initiative “Providing Psychosocial Services to Women Who Have Experienced Sexual Violence During the Recent War in Kosovo” was carried out with support from the Kosovo Women’s Network’s (KWN) Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF), financed by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and co-financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), in the amount of 4,007€, from October to December 2021. The initiative contributed directly to KWN’s Programme “Right to Health”.
