Kosova Women's Network

The Kosova Women’s Network (KWN) [http://www.womensnetwork.org/home_english.html] , established in 2000, was originally an informal network of women’s groups and organizations from various regions in Kosova. Since its inception, KWN has developed into a network that advocates on behalf of Kosovar women, at the local, regional and international level. Representing the interests of more than 80 women’s organizations of all ethnic groups from throughout Kosova, KWN is a leader among civil society organizations in Kosova and the region. In 2006, KWN became the first network of not-for-profit, non-governmental organizations in Kosova to adopt a code of conduct, setting an example of transparency and accountability. The Kosova Women's Network also produces research reports. Current reports include--The Monitoring and Implementing UNSC 1325 in Kosova and the Extent of Gender-Based Violence and the Impact on Women's Reproductive Health.

The Mission Statement of the Kosova Women's Network

The Kosova Women’s Network (KWN) mission is to support, protect and promote the rights and the interests of women and girls throughout Kosova, regardless of their political beliefs, religion, age, level of education, sexual orientation and ability. KWN fulfills its mission through the exchange of experience and information, partnership and networking, research, advocacy and service.

Kosova Women's Network Objectives and Programs

KWN Objective 1: Ensure equal, effective and active participation of women and girls in Kosova's political, economic and social development.

1) Increasing Women's Participation in Politics and Decision-Making Program--Includes monitoring the implementation of mechanisms toward the achievement of gender equality (including UNSCR 1325); advocacy to increase women's participation in drafting and implementing security policy; and coordination and cooperation meetings with political parties.
2) Empowering Voter's Program--Includes assisting voters with advocacy campaigns in ten municipalities; establishing a telephone hotline and email account for voters to submit recommendations and complaints about political leaders; and a media campaign.

KWN Objective 2: Improve women's human rights in all spheres of life in Kosova.

1) Improving Women's Health Program--Includes medical examinations of women in rural areas with Medica Kosova's mobile clinic and support for the Kosovar Center for Combating Breast Cancer's campaign.
2) Decreasing Trafficking and Domestic Violence Program--Includes support for the Kosovar Coalition Against Family and Sexual Violence; Establishing a National Action Plan against Domestic Violence in coordination with the Agency for Gender Equality, Women's Safety and Security Initiative and UNDP; and advocating for, assisting with drafting and later monitoring the implementation of the Law against Domestic Violence in association with the Agency for Gender Equality and the Informal Group of Women's Members of Parliament.

KWN Objective 3: Improve and increase cooperation among women's groups and organizations in Kosova, the region and internationally.

1) Increasing Women's Involvement in Regional Peacebuilding Program--Involves meetings, advocacy, annual conferences, participation in transitional justice processes and awareness-raising as part of the Women's Peace Coalition; regional networking; and visiting the Kosovar Serb community.
2) Strengthening the Capacity of the Network Program--Includes continued publication of KWN's quarterly newsletter "Kosovar Women's Voice" and annual reports; monitoring the implementation of KWN Ethical and Accountability Code; organizing a donors meeting; translating the KWN website into three languages and adding more information about member organizations; and providing services (i.e. fundraising, translation and organizational development) to members.

Kosova Women's Network Campaigns

Voter’s Voice Project -- KWN began preparations for the "Voters' Voice" campaign, which aims to hold politicians accountable for promises made during election campaigns. KWN will open a telephone hotline so citizens can call to voice their complaints and concerns regarding government actions or services. All telephone calls will be free of charge and will be recorded without individual names or identifying information. This will allow KWN to track the most common grievances held by voters and, together with media monitoring, determine which politicians are fulfilling their campaign promises. At the end of the year, KWN will issue a report regarding citizens' concerns and notify politicians regarding citizens' needs. The Kosova Women's Network was also part of a coalition that called on the United Nations to change electoral procedures before the November 2004 elections, so as to make the process more accountable and democratic. The KWN is demanding that voters be given a chance to elect individuals, not just parties.

Upcoming Report Publication on Domestic Violence in Kosova -- In April 2008, KWN was contracted by the UNDP Women's Safety and Security Initiative (WSSI) in close cooperation with the Agency for Gender Equality to conduct research on domestic violence in Kosova. The research findings will be used to draft the first Kosova National Action Plan against Domestic Violence in fall 2008. The report is expected to be released in September 2008 in three languages, after which time it will be available on the KWN website. For more information, please contact KWN.

A powerful coalition of Kosovar women’s organizations, including KWN, criticized the United Nations and the government of Kosovo for the absence of women on the seven-man Kosovar team that is negotiating the future status of the province, and warned that the lack of a gender perspective in the talks will undermine any future democracy in Kosovo. (See Kosovar Women Call for Inclusion in Peace Process).

The KWN and the Kosovo Center for Fighting Breast Cancer JETA/VITA (KCFBC) have launched a national campaign to prevent, detect and treat breast cancer in the province.

KWN advocates locally and internationally for the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women's Peace and Security.

The Kosova Women’s Network has called on the United Nations to change electoral procedures before the November 2004 elections, so as to make the process more accountable and democratic. The KWN is demanding that voters be given a chance to elect individuals, not just parties.

In 2004 and 2005, KWN ran a "Know Your Rights" campaign that strived to inform Kosovar citizens about their rights and the gender mechanisms available to them through skits and songs.

In late 2003 and 2004, KWN launched a "Political Parties Work for Women" campaign that organized meetings for women in 30 districts in order to draft platforms of women's preferences for the general elections. Closer to the elections, KWN organized a "Get Out and Vote" initiative.

In 2004, KWN promoted awareness of the film 'Lilja Forever,' which addresses the issue of trafficking in women and girls.

As part of its campaign to eradicate violence against women in Kosovo, the Kosova Women's Network has produced a hit song called 'My Short Skirt,' which reached number two on the Kosovo Top 20 in 2002.

Kosova Women's Network Research Reports

"Code of Conduct"-- [http://www.womensnetwork.org/images/pdf/KWN%20Ethical%20%26%20Accountability%20Code.pdf]

"Monitoring Implementation of United Nation's Security Resolution 1325 in Kosovo"-- [http://www.womensnetwork.org/images/pdf/KWN%20Report%201325.pdf]

"Exploratory Research on the Extent of Gender-Based Violence in Kosova and the Impact on Women's Reproductive Health"-- [http://www.womensnetwork.org/images/pdf/KWN%20Report-GBV%20RH.pdf]

"Women's Peace Coalition Report"-- [http://www.womensnetwork.org/images/pdf/Womens%20Peace%20Coalition%20Report.pdf]

Kosova Women's Network in the Media

June 23, 2008
Kosovo Today: Women on Frontlines of Democracy Building [http://www.mott.org/Home/recentnews/news/2008/kosovoseriespart2.aspx]
Mott Foundation

May 28, 2008
Westlake activist heads to Kosovo [http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/may/28/advocate-for-kosovo-womens-rights/]
"Ventura County Star"

October 30, 2007
Serbian and Kosovar Women Protest Against Military Spending in Kosovo
Change.org

March 8, 2006
Kosovo women's group rallies against absence of women from status talks [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=NewsLibrary&p_multi=BBAB&d_place=BBAB&p_theme=newslibrary2&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=110407416661C288&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM]
"BBC"

April 5, 2004
Land in Limbo [http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/apr/05/kosovo.comment]
"Guardian Unlimited"

KWN Partner Organizations

Training Programs

Autonomous Women's Center Belgrade (AWC)
Gender Alliance for Development Center (GADC)
One World (OW)

Member Support

Global Fund for Women (GFW)
Heart and Hand Foundation
Urgent Action Fund (UAF)

Lobbying Partners and our International Advocates

Advocacy Project (AP)
Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID)
Center for Women War Victims (CWWW)
Council for Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF)
Network of East West Women (NEWW)
United Nations Fund for Women (UNIFEM)
Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children (WCRWC)
Zene Zenama (ZZ)

References

Kosova Women's Network [http://www.womensnetwork.org/home_english.html]
The Advocacy Project [http://advocacynet.org/page/kwn]