Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms 

18.06.2025

On June 13, 2025, a workshop was held on the topic: “Social Services: Social Protection Legislation, Rights, and Complaint Procedures.” This event was part of the project “Improving Civil Society Capacities to Increase Access to Quality Social Protection for Diverse Women and Men,” supported by the EU Civil Society Programme (EU CSF). 

The workshop, hosted at the Kosovo Women’s Network premises, aimed to strengthen the knowledge and capacities of partner organizations OPDMK and Ruka Ruci, along with their local mobilizers. It provided education, support, and mentorship on social protection legislation, the rights derived from this legislation, and the procedures for filing complaints in cases where these rights are violated. 

This activity directly contributed to achieving one of the project’s key outcomes: “Increasing NGO capacities to support and involve diverse women in informing and monitoring social protection reforms.” 

The workshop was led by Prof. Ass. Dr. Avdyl Gashi from the Department of Social Work at the University of Prishtina and Attorney Fitim Gashi. They shared their knowledge and experience on the legal framework governing social and family services in Kosovo. During the interactive sessions, participants had the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Law No. 08/L-255 on Social and Family Services, discuss the fundamental principles of social service provision, and learn about complaint mechanisms. 

This collaborative effort contributes to strengthening the role of civil society in implementing and overseeing social protection reforms, with the aim that no woman or man is left behind in accessing fundamental social rights. 

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms 

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security  

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence?  

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty 

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women 

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence 

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Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security  

12.06.2025

United by shared experiences and dedication to building lasting peace, diverse women’s rights activists, high-level government officials, EU, UN and NATO representatives, as well as conflict survivors from around the world, came together in Pristina on 2-3 June for the third annual Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security, hosted by the President of Kosovo, H.E. Dr. Vjosa Osmani Sadriu. 

President Osmani Sadriu opened the Forum with a powerful truth: peace is not a passive state; rather, it is built, brick by brick, through solidarity, memory, and resolve.  

In her keynote address, she offered not just policy, but poetry grounded in pain and purpose. 

“We do not speak of peace from a distance,” President Osmani Sadriu said. “We speak of peace from the weight of memory with a forced sense of responsibility and to spread the message: Never again,” stressing that peace cannot be sustained without the leadership of women. 

Peace is not what happens when the guns fall silent, she said. It is a process. She spoke of how cyberattacks have become the new battlefield, underscoring the need for new tools for peace, and setting the stage for the Forum’s focus on ‘The Security Code for Our Generation’.  

She emphasised: “Peace is a matter of will, courage, and choice” and “never again” means choosing dialogue over guns, not only in the aftermath of conflict, but to prevent future wars. 

Storytelling as a form of healing, testimonial empowerment and solidarity among women were other key themes that arose, starting with the President’s provision of the Presidential Metal Award to the Mothers of Srebrenica for their courage during the Bosnian genocide. Through telling their story, we collectively recognized their pain, honored their strength and commended their ongoing search for justice.  

The concern of long-lasting psychological and transgenerational trauma reverberated throughout the conference, with the enduring impacts of violence on women and their children emerging as an ongoing issue, common across continents. 

“Trauma does not leave when the fighting stops”, affirmed H.E. Sir Rodney Williams Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda. “It spills into the everyday lives of our communities”. He further accentuated that conflict can “fray the fabric of society, and we see the resilience of women who hold that fabric together”, underlining women’s role in safeguarding the well-being of communities, and their adaptability and perseverance in the face of hardship. 

The key role of women and civil society, in particular women’s rights organisations, in furthering peace and protecting those most impacted by war was a recurring theme throughout the Forum, as was recognition of the pressing need to enhance partnerships with and include civil society in all discussions regarding law, policies and their implementation. Several Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) member organisations engaged, sharing their vast expertise and decades-long experience throughout various panels and discussions.  

KWN’s Executive Director, Igballe Rogova, shared how women have consistently organised for peace, even under the threat of Milosevic’s snipers in the 1990s. During a panel on “Lasting Peace in the Western Balkans”, she recalled the crucial role of the Women’s Peace Coalition, through which KWN and Women in Black Network Serbia united diverse women from across the two countries. “We sent joint letters to [Chief Negotiator] Ahtisaari and other actors engaged in the official Kosovo-Serbia negotiations.” she said.  She shared the importance of Women in Black offering the first public apology for crimes committed in their name. Broadcast on RTV21, it was a moment that served as a turning point in forgiveness, healing and trust-building. 

Reflecting on the present situation and the global pushback against women’s rights, Rogova declared: “Women are strong. Women are brave. That’s why the anti-gender movement exists.” 

Sporting her own red shoes, Rogova called for joint action – urging women to come together to wear red shoes on Tuesdays – a symbol of women’s empowerment and strength in unison. She declared: “We stand up with red shoes to show solidarity among women. Without solidarity, there is no way forward.”   

Several discussions revolved around women having a “seat at the table”, particularly in the ongoing Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue. In moderating a panel on “Peace-making in the 21st Century: What Does It Take?”, Ambassador Nancy Soderberg, Senior Country Director of the National Democratic Institute in Kosovo, expanded on Chisholm’s encouragement for women to “bring a folding chair”, concluding, “What I’m hearing is that women need to stop asking and just take the chair.” 

Another key recommendation emerging from the Forum, was the urgent need for the EU, NATO and governments to step up and develop a clear strategy – a new Security Code – for addressing technological warfare that targets people’s minds. Both cyberbullying and disinformation were identified as serious risks to society, with digital violence disproportionality affecting women and girls. Disinformation and “information warfare”, in an age of exponential AI growth, were described by many as tools of war and threats to democracy. The double-edged nature of technology, as both a tool for humanity and a tool for harm recurred through the Forum, underscoring the critical need for proper regulation and safeguards. 

Activists from several KWN member organisations engaged in the Forum, sharing insights and lived experiences, including: 

  • Feride Rushiti, Executive Director of the Kosova Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims, who spoke on panels “Empowerment as a Pathway to Peace” and “Toward Justice: The Strength and Story of Survivors”, about survival – not as an end, but as a beginning. Her words carried the weight of wounds unseen, insisting that dignity and justice are not optional-they are essential. 
  • Veprore Shehu, Executive Director of Medica Kosova, contributed to “From Ashes to Championing Democracy: Kosovo’s Transformation Story.” Her voice spoke not just of rebuilding a country, but of reimagining it—with women’s leadership as a cornerstone of democratic growth. Hers was a testimony to the power of starting over, together. 
  • Mirlinda Sada, Executive Director of Medica Gjakova, gave an emotionally resonant contribution on “Healing in the Aftermath: Survivors Reclaiming Their Lives.” With quiet strength, she told stories of survivors—broken, yet unbowed—who are reclaiming joy, agency, and voice. Her words reminded all that healing is political, not just personal. 
  • Abetare Gojani, Executive Director of The Foundation House, shared her experience on the panel “Digital Defenders: Technology, Protection, and Rights in Conflict Zones”. 

Together, these leaders, wove together strings of expertise towards establishing a new “security code” for the world: one where memory inspires action, solidarity is a map forward and peace is feminist and lasting. 

As the forum came to a close, one message echoed: peace is not just a dream, it is a duty. And women are not waiting; they are leading. 

The Forum took place amid the global 25th Anniversary of the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, which laid the foundation for the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. Its Anniversary also marks 26 years since violence affected Kosovo, and since which women’s rights activists have actively invoked the resolution to call for their greater engagement in peace processes both in Kosovo and the wider region. Given their extensive experience and expertise, Kosovo’s peace-leaders sought to offer global solutions to current world challenges through dialogues among diverse actors at the Forum. 

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms 

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security  

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence?  

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty 

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women 

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence 

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence?  

30.05.2025

Governments across the Western Balkans (WB) have committed to the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, also known as the Istanbul Convention (IC), promising to provide survivor-centred services for those affected by gender-based violence. But despite these commitments, a major question remains: are they putting their [public] money where their mouth is? Too often, governments fall short, underfunding essential services and leaning heavily on women’s rights civil society organisations (WCSOs) to fill the gap. These organisations play a critical role in supporting survivors, yet they remain underfunded, putting both their sustainability and services for survivors at risk. 

To address this gap, a network of seven WCSOs in WB examining the actual costs of gender-based violence as part of their regional Action “Institutionalising Quality Rehabilitation and Reintegration Services for Violence Survivors II”, supported by the Austrian Development Agency. The initiative aims to strengthen and secure sustainable, quality services for survivors of gender-based violence, using gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) to estimate the real cost of these services. This research covers six WB countries and digs deep into the funding landscape for 2023–2025. It compares what governments planned to spend versus what they actually spent and looks ahead to whether upcoming budgets (2025-2028) are on track to meet the IC’s standards. Crucially, it also calculates what it would cost to deliver these services properly and what support WCSOs need to do their part sustainably. 

Kosovo already is a leader in financing for specialised services. The Government Kosovo has budgeted for shelters, thanks to advocacy efforts by the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) and its members, particularly shelters coupled with efforts by institutions and parliamentarians to allocate a budget. Nevertheless, shelters still require additional financing to be fully sustainable and Kosovo still needs a Rape Crisis Centre, SOS hotline, shelter for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ+) persons, and specialised legal services by CSO watchdogs to fulfil IC requirements. 

The methodology for this research draws on best practices in GRB, international guidance for costing social services, and KWN’s internationally recognised costing methodology, estimating the exact costs for service providers and institutions to deliver specialised services for survivors of gender-based violence. Specialised services examined include Rape Crisis Centres, SOS hotlines, shelters, and specialized legal aid. The research will assess the extent to which WB governments allocated and spent sufficient funds for specialised services in line with the IC during 2022-2024, and whether they have planned adequate budgets for 2025-2028. It will also estimate the costs of providing specialised services in line with IC standards, including the costs required to support WCSO service providers, for the period 2026-2028. 

Key questions the research seeks to answer include: Are existing laws and budgets aligned with the Istanbul Convention? Where are the major funding and service delivery gaps? What roles do institutions play in budgeting and service provision? What would it truly cost to deliver high-quality, IC-compliant services? These are some of the critical issues the research will explore through legal and policy analysis, institutional mapping, budget reviews, and costing exercises. The forthcoming research aims to inform evidence-based advocacy to relevant institutions for adequate budget allocations, particularly for medium-term budget frameworks and annual budgets, starting from 2026. Providing comprehensive rehabilitation and integration services to survivors of gender-based violence is essential for healing, wellbeing and prevention of recidivist violence.  

Research began in April and is expected to be published as individual country reports in November. A consolidated regional report comparing results across countries is anticipated in April 2026. 

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms 

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security  

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence?  

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty 

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women 

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence 

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty 

30.05.2025

On 29 May, a webinar titled ‘Budget Red Lines: Ending Menstrual Poverty Through Gender-Responsive Budgeting’ brought together activists, researchers, educators, and civil society organizations from across the region. The discussion focused on addressing menstrual poverty through policy, advocacy, and budget reform. 

The session was opened by the Coordinator for Women’s Economic Empowerment and Gender Responsive Budgeting at the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), Elirjeta Beka, who emphasized the importance of continuing the conversation beyond Menstrual Hygiene Day, marked globally on 28 May. 

The session featured insightful contributions from: 

  • Jelena Ružić, Executive Director of Žensko udruženje kolubarskog okruga (moderator) 
  • Marina Sakač Hadžić, anthropologist and Communications Officer at EAEA in Brussels 
  • Danijela Šakota, a professor promoting access to menstrual products in schools 
  • Natasha Dokovska, Program Director at Journalists for Human Rights – JHR 
  • Magbule Hyseni, Executive Director of EcokosWomen 

EcokosWomen, a KWN member organization, presented findings from the first-ever research on the cost of menstrual hygiene products in Kosovo, conducted in Albanian. A corresponding policy brief in English was later developed under a Gender Budget Watchdog Network grant. The brief outlines the financial burden menstruators face and calls for removing the tax on menstrual products and increasing access to free products in schools and public institutions. During the session, Magbule Hyseni shared: 

“We started working on menstrual hygiene management with a small grant from KWN. Even though it was a small amount, when the will is strong, even a small sum can make a difference.” 

All speakers agreed that menstruation remains a taboo topic in many societies, with limited access to information from a young age. Marina Sakač Hadžić reflected on her own experience, recalling that her teacher held a two-hour class about menstrual hygiene with only the girls, while the boys were sent out to play football—an early example of how gender norms shape education. 

The session underscored the urgent need for gender-responsive budgeting to address menstrual poverty and called for evidence-based advocacy and systemic policy change. One of the main challenges that could arise from abolishing the tax is that businesses may not lower the prices of menstrual hygiene products. 

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms 

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security  

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence?  

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty 

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women 

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence 

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women 

30.05.2025

On May 27, the Kosovo Women’s Network joined a symbolic civil society action in front of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, on a day that marked the 22nd consecutive failure to constitute the Assembly. 120 empty chairs lined up at the entrance of the country’s highest representative institutions were not merely a symbol of the absence of MPs in their seats—they reflected the void created in the daily lives of women and girls for every day the Assembly remains non-functional. 

Each chair carried a message: a call for accountability, political cooperation, and immediate action. 

Among these messages was the voice of the women of Kosovo—a voice that for years has been calling for the adoption of key laws that directly impact their lives: the labor law, the civil code, the law on public finances, and many others. These are not just legal texts gathering dust in drawers—they are being held hostage by a system that, through a lack of political will, withholds the rights, safety, and well-being of half the population. 

For the Kosovo Women’s Network, this blockade is not a temporary crisis—it is a symptom of a deeper reality, where political interests are placed above the lives and rights of citizens, especially women. For three consecutive months, the Assembly has failed to fulfill its most basic duty—representation. And where there is no representation, there is no decision-making. Without decision-making, there is no progress. And in this vicious cycle, it is women who are affected first and most—at work, in access to justice, in the provision of public services, and in every aspect of daily life. 

The clocks placed among the empty chairs were not only an alarm—they were a reminder of the time we are losing, of the opportunities slipping away, of the rights that are being endlessly delayed. It was a call for awareness, for action, for the restoration of democratic functionality in our institutions. 

The Kosovo Women’s Network, together with other civil society organizations, will continue to be present in every action, in every voice that demands accountability, in every step that seeks equality. Because for us, every empty chair is not merely a physical absence—it is a vacant seat at the table where decisions are made about the lives and futures of women and all the citizens of this country. 

The organizations supporting the action were: Advocacy Training & Resource Center (ATRC) Assist Kosovo, Asociacioni i Mediave të Pavaruara Elektronike të Kosovës (AMPEK), Balkan Green Foundation (BGF), CEL Kosova, Center for Eduction and Community Development-Friends, CIPOF Childproof, Community Building Mitrovica (CBM), Community Development Fund (CDF), Democracy Plus (D+), Demokraci për zhvillim (D4D), Dylberizim, Ekovizioni, Fondacioni Kosovar për Shoqëri Civile (KCSF), Fondi për të Drejtën Humanitare Kosovë, Forumi Kosovar i Aftësisë së Kufizuar, Forumi për Iniciativa Qytetare (FIQ), Hyjneshat, Iniciativa për Progres (INPO), Iniciativa Qytetare Skenderaj, Instituti Demokratik i Kosovës (KDI), Instituti GAP, Instituti i Kosovës për Drejtësi (KLI), Instituti i Prishtinës për Studime Politike (PIPS), Instituti Kosovar për Hulumtim dhe Zhvillim të Politikave (KIPRED), Instituti për Politika Sociale “Musine Kokalari”, Instituti për Politika Zhvillimore (INDEP), Instituti Sekhmet, Këshilli për Mbrojtjen e të Drejtave dhe Lirive të Njeriut, Kosovo Advocacy & Development Centre K-W4W, Leadership Development Association Europe, Lëvizja FOL, New Social Initiative (NSI), Nisma e të Rinjve për të Drejtat e Njeriut – Kosovë, OJQ “ACCESS”, OJQ “Vision02”, OJQ EC Ma Ndryshe, OJQ Fortesa, OJQ Mundësia, OJQ Politeia, OJQ Zana, OJQ Pishtarët, Organizata Bubble, Organizata ÇOHU!, Organizata për Rritjen e Cilësisë në Arsim – ORCA, Qendra Kosova për Rehabilitimin e të Mbijetuarve të Torturës (KRCT), Qendra Kosovare për Studime Gjinore (QKSGJ), Qendra Kosovare për Studime të Sigurisë (QKSS), Qendra Kosovare për Zhvillim të Qëndrueshëm – QKZHQ, Qendra për Arsim e Kosovës – KEC, Qendra për Avokim dhe Kulturë Demokratike (ACDC), Qendra për Barazi dhe Drejtësi, Qendra Për Politika dhe Avokim (QPA), Qendra për Zhvillimin e Grupeve Shoqërore – CSGD, QIKA, Rrjeti i Grave të Kosovës (RrGK), Rrjeti i OJQ-ve AVONET, Rrjeti Qeliza, SHL – Kosova, Syri i Vizionit, The Foundation House (ish-IPKO Foundation), YMCA Movement. 

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms 

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security  

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence?  

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty 

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women 

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence 

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence 

29.05.2025

From the outside, violence against women might seem like a problem that affects everyone equally. But in reality, some women are doubly discriminated against, both by gender and by their different abilities. In silence, in the corners of the system and society, blind women and girls in Kosovo live a dual reality: excluded, invisible, and often without hope for protection. 

This is precisely the reality that the Committee of Blind Women of Kosovo (CBWK), led by Bajramshahe Jetullahu, is challenging through a bold and sensitive initiative that aims to build bridges towards knowledge, awareness, and safety for blind women and girls living in Kosovo. 

We have previously informed you about the CBWK’s initiative through the story Empowerment through Education: The Committee of Blind Women and the Endeavor for Support, and now we want to highlight its achievements. 

Considering the daily challenges of this community, CBWK has planned a program that aims to ease the lives of blind women and girls, raise awareness among institutions, and improve societal consciousness. 

“Our objective is clear: to protect and prevent violence against blind women and girls, who are doubly discriminated against; first because of their gender, and second because of their disability,” says Korab Jetullahu, a representative of CBWK. 

The project began as a result of many stories heard over the years from women facing various forms of violence, without institutional support or access to basic information. 

“Considering that blind people have limited access to information, due to scarce materials in Braille or audio, and on the other hand, they don’t have access to technology, we deemed it reasonable to conduct meetings directly with these individuals,” he further explains. 

As part of the project, CBWK engaged a psychologist and a sociologist to conduct training sessions in four regions of Kosovo: Prishtina, Mitrovica, Suhareka, and Gjakova. In each city, three training sessions were held, with the participation of approximately 45 blind women and girls in each city. 

The first and most sensitive topic addressed in these training sessions was violence: what it is, how it manifests, and how blind women and girls can protect themselves from violence. 

“Many women lack knowledge about violence, they don’t know its forms, they don’t know who the perpetrators usually are, what psychological or economic violence is. For this reason, we started from the basic steps,” explains Jetullahu. 

The training sessions also discussed legal frameworks and institutional protection mechanisms, although, as Jetullahu emphasized, the system in practice remains almost closed to women with disabilities. In Kosovo, there is still no shelter with staff trained to work with blind people, so CBWK aimed to inform these participants about protective mechanisms and places where they can seek help. 

“Besides telling you what violence is, I’m also telling you where you can protect yourself,” he says. 

“Violence usually starts in the family,” he begins to explain. 

“It can also happen on the street, but the systematic kind, the one that gnaws at you from within, usually happens at home. And the person who does it is often also the one who accompanies you – you can’t tell them ‘take me to the police,’ or ‘take me to a shelter.’ You are dependent on them,” he recounts with pain. 

Despite these limitations, the project has shown concrete signs of change. One of the participants, a blind woman who experienced physical and psychological violence for years, found the courage to tell her story to a Swedish medium collaborating with the National Association of the Blind of Sweden, a partner of CBWK. The story was published with her identity fully protected. 

She was left alone with her young daughter, excluded from her husband’s family after the violence she had experienced. She lived on only 250 euros per month, which is basic support for first-category blind individuals. Her courage to speak out is not just a personal story; it is a political act, a message for all women who feel they have no voice. 

CBWK’s initiative has shown success, and through the participants’ stories, the organization aims to continue with this idea and approach in other areas of Kosovo, as despite the participation of only some individuals, a large number of blind girls and women still need to be informed about violence and protection from it. 

CBWK’s ongoing work consistently aligns with the work and Strategy of the Kosovo Women’s Network.  

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms 

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security  

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence?  

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty 

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women 

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence 

The Journey of OPED: From Advocating for Drinking Water to Empowering Women and Local Accountability 

29.05.2025

The OPED organization was founded in 2017, driven by the need to raise a strong citizen voice for environmental issues in the village of Orllan, Podujeva municipality. This area, with significant tourism potential, suffered from a lack of drinking water supply and insufficient citizen awareness of its potential. 

In line with the organization’s development and expanding scope, this year the organization changed its name from “Rule of Democracy in Kosovo” to the Organization for Partnership Engagement and Development (OPED), better reflecting its vision for broad engagement in partnerships and inclusive development. This rebranding occurred as the previous name was no longer deemed adequate. 

OPED has received organizational support from the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) multiple times, enabling increased visibility and continuous organizational development. 

Through prior organizational support received from KWN, OPED drafted its organizational strategy, with the strategic goal of increasing institutional accountability and democracy at the local level. 

Due to the lack of women’s organizations in Podujeva municipality, the idea of forming a forum (or similar initiative) arose from the absence of municipal hearings on gender-responsive budgeting and a collective lack of awareness. 

A key outcome of the latest initiative supported by KWN was the creation of the Women’s Forum for Local Development. During this initiative: 

Three public meetings on gender budgeting were held in Podujeva, Shtime, and Dragash. 

Approximately 30 women publicly expressed their needs for a fairer allocation of the municipal budget. 

A work plan for the Forum was drafted, aiming to strengthen dialogue between women and local institutions, as well as partnerships with potential donors. 

Logos and branding were created for the Forum and for two women’s businesses, providing them with identity and increased visibility. 

Today, the Women’s Forum operates as an independent NGO and has secured its first grant from the municipality of Podujeva, while OPED continues to support it with expertise and mentorship. 

As part of this support, OPED has contributed to increasing the visibility of women engaged in economic activities; the organization developed branding for these women’s activities, specifically for two of them and for the Women’s Forum itself. 

Among the organizational supports from KWN was also the enhancement of the organization’s capacities and sustainability. The first organizational support led to the drafting of the strategy and the human resources manual. The latest support resulted in the financial manual and the organization’s active and functional website. 

The launch of the website has contributed to increasing the organization’s credibility and strengthening the capacities of the organization and the work it carries out.  

Increased Capacities and Organizational Sustainability 

With KWN’s support, OPED has significantly advanced in its internal structuring and development. In the initial phases, the organization’s strategy and human resources manual were drafted, while later the financial manual was prepared and the organization’s official website was launched, which has increased credibility and transparency in communication. 

Furthermore, OPED has contributed to increasing the visibility of women involved in economic activities in Podujeva municipality, including in agribusiness, handicrafts, and traditional food production. Women have become active participants in the Women’s Forum and are represented through a program plan that aims to empower them economically, provide information, and build partnerships with local institutions and donors.. 

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms 

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security  

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence?  

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty 

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women 

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence 

Nermin Mahmuti: The Voice of Women That Doesn’t Stop, Even in Challenging Times 

28.05.2025

Nermin Mahmuti has been a member of the Board of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) for several years. Now, for the second time, she holds the role of chairperson of this board, a position she views more as a collective responsibility than as individual power. According to her, the chairperson’s work is not separate from the commitment of the other board members—it is a shared voice that speaks on behalf of everyone, always in harmony and through joint decisions. 

For Mahmuti, the motivation to be part of the KWN is clear: a deep belief in the mission and role this organization plays in the public and political life of the country. 

“The Network is a very important organization whose mission is the role of women and girls in all fields of life, and it is unique in terms of what it does—it is a voice that has brought about change in Kosovo,” she emphasizes. 

In a challenging period for civil society organizations, especially with the decrease in financial support from international partners, Mahmuti has focused her attention on one of the most critical aspects of institutional survival—securing funds. 

“There will be future consequences from the withdrawal of American state support for funds, and this is also present in other countries. The focus will be on lobbying and finding new funds in the future, because not only the Network but all of civil society will be in a financial crisis—and this is the challenge.” 

In addition to her strategic role, Mahmuti also shares a personal advantage that makes her sensitive to the KWN’s challenges—her experience as a director of a civil society organization. This has given her a particular sensitivity to the administrative, financial, and structural difficulties that organizations face daily. 

“I myself am in the shoes of a director of a civil society organization, and I know the pains and challenges, which is why it’s easier to understand the Network’s challenges,” she states. 

For her, the Board’s role does not stop at moral support but requires concrete dedication to lobbying and raising their voices to secure the necessary support for the organization and its work. She says that the Network, under the leadership of Igballe Rogova and with a dedicated staff, has managed to keep alive a mission that is essential for Kosovar society. 

But Mahmuti doesn’t stop there. She has a strong call to the new generation of women and girls who are growing up in a reality that, according to her, is showing alarming signs. 

“My message is for girls to be a bit more active regarding the rights that belong to them—no one has given them these rights. Unfortunately, what I am observing as a woman who belongs to a slightly older generation—some problems are emerging in families—various abuses, and I fear that we are moving backward,” she says. 

This concern is a call to action. For her, the protection of rights is not a finished battle but a process that requires continuous vigilance and involvement. 

“We must continue to work on advocacy, and young women and girls must be more vocal—to raise their voices when needed—in the family, in society, and in the community,” she says. 

Finally, Mahmuti emphasizes that equality and empowerment cannot be achieved without the involvement of everyone—including men. 

“Feminism must also have a contribution from the male gender—because the only way to achieve success is when we are all together,” she said. 

Nermin Mahmuti’s voice is clear, determined, and unstoppable—a voice that not only represents women but calls on all girls never to be silent. 

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms 

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security  

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence?  

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty 

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women 

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence 

Kosovar Women Activists Call for EU Support to Reforms towards Peace and Security 

20.05.2025

During the annual Brussels Advocacy Week 2025, determined women’s rights activists from Kosovo, and the region, are calling for the European Union (EU) to support the rights and security of women at home. Today, they asked the European Commission (EC) for stronger political support and more focus on gender equality in the forthcoming EC Kosovo Report, which is being prepared by the Directorate-General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST). 

Vetone Veliu from the Mitrovica Women Association for Human Rights (MWAHR) focused on the political and security situation in northern Kosovo, particularly the lack of safety for women amid growing political tensions. “When the Dialogue stops, the tensions grow,” she said, referring to the frozen EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue. She emphasised that women’s voices remain left out of peace talks between Kosovo and Serbia. The Government of Kosovo’s closing of Serb-run institutions, with insufficient prior notice to the local population, has contributed to difficulties for people, particularly for the elderly who struggle to access their pensions and medicine, she said.  

Indeed, research by the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) also has shown that due to economic inequalities among women and men, minority women face added barriers accessing transportation and thus pensions, healthcare, and medicine.  

Dafina Prekazi Pallaska from the Kosovar Gender Studies Centre (KGSC) expressed concern over continued delays in forming the Government of Kosovo after the February elections. She noted the urgent need to amend electoral laws prior to forthcoming elections, ensuring equal representation of women and men at 50%, as defined by the Law on Gender Equality. She mentioned several laws that the Government has delayed and which the EU should encourage them to adopt urgently with inclusive public consultation processes, including the Labour Law and the Civil Code. She emphasised that the Government must listen to women’s groups when making new laws and be more transparent. 

Nicole Farnsworth, KWN Deputy Director and Lead Researcher, spoke about the need to protect women from violence. While praising the Government’s progress on related legislative reforms, she highlighted the need for the EC to focus on implementation, as a Rule of Law issue. She asked the EU to call upon the Government to amend the Criminal Code to include clearer provisions on technology-facilitated gender-based cyberviolence, to establish the Rape Crisis Centre, to establish clear protocols for relevant institutions based on the new legal framework and institutionalise training for them, to improve operations of municipal coordination mechanisms and to budget adequately for social services, all as per the existing legal framework. 

Activists also raised concerns regarding the continuing EU measures against Kosovo. “We implore the EU to continue the dialogue,” they said, explaining how discontinuing the political dialogue has undermined progress towards EU Accession. Specifically, this has resulted in civil society, including women’s groups, losing the opportunity to dialogue with the EU and Government via Stabilisation Association Agreement (SAA) Committee and Subcommittee meetings, they said. This hampers civil society monitoring and pressure for progress on reforms, undermining inclusive democratic discussion around reforms. It also leaves space for narratives counter to EU Accession to gain footing, as people have fewer opportunities to see progress via these dialogues, or to see how it is affecting their lives, as civil society used to be able to demonstrate during prior dialogues.  

“The solution is to dialogue” and not to discontinue it, they said. Activists warned that without continued political dialogue, the risk exists of growing narratives counter to EU Accession and even conflict. They called on the EU to urgently reinstate the political dialogue with Kosovo, inclusive of diverse civil society organisations.  

This advocacy trip was made possible with support from the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). KWN has participated in this advocacy work since 2010, MWAHR since 2012 and KGSC since 2012. 

As Nicole, Vetone and Dafina reminded actors in Brussels, progress towards EU Accession can only take place with the full engagement of diverse women.  

For more information about the issues that they are raising in Brussels this week, see their brief, here: 

https://womensnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/FINAL_DG-ENEST-Kosovo-input-2025-1-2.pdf

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms 

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security  

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence?  

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty 

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women 

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence 

Women at the Center of Peace – Global Open Day 2025 gathers powerful voices for change 

15.05.2025

With an atmosphere full of energy, today at the Global Open Day for Women, Peace and Security Preparations, a series of powerful statements and reflections were given on the role of women in Kosovo’s journey towards peace and security. 

Today, May 14, 2025, at the Emerald Hotel in Pristina, this event focused on the vital role of women in building peace and security. This day took place on the eve of the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, with the theme: “Women, Peace and Security: Lessons Learned and Ways Forward”. 

Caroline Ziadah, Head of UNMIK, emphasized the vital role that women play as heroines and builders during conflicts. She addressed the women present directly, saying: “Progress is yours – more and more girls and women are being educated thanks to you.” 

However, she acknowledged that sexual violence and gender-based violence still remain as shadows, but emphasized that such violence is always unacceptable. Ziadah stressed the need for economic empowerment of women so that they can continue to flourish in peace. She also noted the importance of respecting linguistic diversity and that the media should reflect reality without manipulation. “Justice that excludes women is not justice at all,” she declared. Her concluding message was powerful: “When women rise, Kosovo rises.” 

The Executive Director of the Agency for Gender Equality, Edi Gusia, reflected on Kosovo’s progress in gender equality, mentioning the establishment of the Agency for Gender Equality in 2005 and the creation of the Action Plan for Resolution 1325 in 2013. Gusia highlighted the 79% success rate in the implementation of activities from the plan, a rare achievement compared to other strategic documents. She mentioned the establishment of a Commission for the verification of the status of victims of sexual violence during the war, the licensing of four NGOs, and Kosovo’s commitment to providing €11.3 million to support survivors. 

However, she emphasized the importance of giving Kosovo the opportunity to present the gender equality agenda before the UN CEDAW committee. 

The Executive Director of the Kosovo Women’s Network, Igballe Rogova, shared a strong criticism of the way Resolution 1325 has been implemented. She emphasized that although the resolution was created to support women’s organizations, recognizing them as key agents for building peace and stability, those who signed it did not respect it. 

Rogova recalled that in the post-war period, the international community often overlooked the inclusion of women. Ironically, many of the meetings organized around this resolution were held without any women present – a painful contradiction for a resolution that has at its core the inclusion and empowerment of women. At that time, one of the strongest allies was Ambassador Chowdhury, who pushed forward Resolution 1325 until it was adopted. 

Rogova spoke of the disappointment at the exclusion of women during the Kosovo-Serbia negotiations, mentioning regional initiatives such as the Women’s Coalition for Peace, a coalition between KWN and Women in Black, bringing the perspectives of women who were absent during the negotiations. 

Rogova also called for stronger solidarity among women and emphasized several times that international organizations should not compete with local ones, but support and cooperate with them. 

“Kosovo institutions should not close their doors to women’s organizations, while women should be more in solidarity with each other,” said Rogova. 

Emilija Rexhepi mentioned that women in Kosovo have shown leadership in peacebuilding. 

The Executive Director of the NGO Žensko Pravo (Women’s Right), Ružica Simić, emphasized the lack of education and dialogue as essential elements for building a better future. 

The Executive Director of the Kosovo Gender Studies Center (KGSC), Luljeta Demolli, emphasized the importance of integrating women’s issues at all levels of the system. She mentioned that Kosovo’s progress serves as a model for the entire region. 

Finally, Sanija Murati, Executive Director of the NGO Lady, gave advice to women, especially those from other regions: “Learn the language of the country where you live,” she said. She also spoke about misunderstandings and misinformation about Kosovo and its people in the region, noting that politics often divides everyday life. “In Kosovo, I have no enemies,” she said firmly, emphasizing the power of choice and unity. 

Throughout the event, participants also had the opportunity to visit an exhibition of handicrafts made by women, promoting local creativity and entrepreneurship as an important part of peacebuilding. 

These voices at the Global Preparatory Open Day presented a picture of the ongoing efforts and extraordinary resilience of the women of Kosovo. The message was clear: continued solidarity, support, and active participation in both local and global platforms will be essential for building sustainable peace and equality. 

18.06.25

Workshop Held on Social Services, Rights, and Other Mechanisms 

12.06.25

Activists Engage in President’s Global Forum on Women, Peace and Security  

30.05.25

WCSOs Ask: What’s the Real Cost of Specialised Services for Gender-based Violence?  

30.05.25

Budget Red Lines: Community Session Calls for Action on Menstrual Poverty 

30.05.25

The Institutional Crisis Continues to Contribute to Discrimination Against Women 

29.05.25

Preventing and Protecting Blind Women and Girls in Kosovo from Violence