particularly reproductive rights. The agreements reached

among the participants showhow the negotiations processsurrounding Kosova’s final sta-tus lost opportunities by failingto involve women’s peace ac-tivists.

In addition, during the con-ference Women in Black Net-work Serbia representativesapologized for the crimes andterror committed in their nameby the Serbian regime againstKosovar Albanians. This had achain reaction that led to anapology made by Women inBlack Network Serbia on RadioTelevision Kosova. This was thefirst such statement made pub-licly. Activists noted the impor-tance of official apologies inthe healing process as a neces-sary prerequisite for sustain-able peace.

Women in Black NetworkSerbia and the KosovaWomen’s Network, supportedby UNIFEM, launched theWomen’s Peace Coalition inMay as an independent citi-zens’ initiative founded onwomen’s solidarity that crossesnational, ethnic, and religiousborders, barriers, and divi-sions. Two prior WPC meetingsin Prishtina and Belgrade, re-spectively, have resulted injoint public statements.

a gender perspective, follow-ing UN Security Council Reso-lution 1325;3. Women are included in alldecision-making processes atall levels.

In opposition to official poli-tics that brings divisions andconflict, WPC made plans tocontinue to build trust,women’s solidarity and mutualsupport towards the creationof lasting and just peace in theregion. WPC created a one-year action plan that aims to:o Increase dialogue betweenwomen of all ethnic groupsfrom Serbia and Kosovathrough encounters and dis-cussions about: security forvulnerable groups, Kosova’s fi-nal political status andwomen’s necessary involve-

ment in deci-sion-making;o Increase net-working andjoint activitiesb e t w e e nwomen-led or-g a n i z a t i o n swith similar po-litical missionsin Serbia andKosova;o Supportstrengtheningwomen’s hu-man rights,

Last week marked a his-torical moment for sus-tainable peace in Kosova,Serbia and the region.The Women’s PeaceCoalition (WPC), com-prised of the KosovaWomen’s Network andthe Women in Black Net-work Serbia, held a three-day conference on“Women, Peace and Se-curity” in Struga, Macedo-nia to bring visibility to thework of women peace ac-tivists in creating stableand just peace in the region.

At the conference – whichoccurred parallel to the officialnegotiations between repre-sentatives from Belgrade andPrishtina about the final statusof Kosova, 60 Kosovar and Ser-bian women’s peace activistsin a joint statement concludedthat peace in the region is notpossible without the activeparticipation of women. Theysupported the independenceand territorial integrity ofKosova as a civil state with afunctional legal system anddemanded that:1. The needs of all citizens –women and men – form thebasis for peace and security;2. The relevant institutionsadopt a concept of human se-curity, especially security with

Women’s Voicewhat’s inside

volume 4, issue 3summer 2006

Kosovar

announcements

www.womensnetwork.org

Activists Create Strategyto Monitor UNSCR 1325

2

Kosovo GovernmentAgrees to Fund Shelter

2

June Meeting Notes2

Behar Selimi: Supporterof Gender Equality

3

Code of Conduct Builds Capacity for the Future

3

Medica Kosova SupportsRural Women

4

SEE Women LeadersIssue Joint Statements

4

KWN Bimonthly Meeting..............ATRC, 11:00, Nov. 6

WPC Agree on Independence for Kosova

Come see the NEW look of the

KWN Website!!!

www.womensnetwork.org

Special thanks to the designer:

Barbra Bearden, intern from

Advocacy Project

Coalition Demands Women’s Involvement in All Decision - making

Women peace activists from Kosova and Serbia strategize for regional peaceduring “Women, Peace and Security” conference held in Struga on 1-2 Aug.

Women from Kosova and Serbia discuss the political status of Kosova and security

at a conference panel.

After more than two years ofmeeting with the Ministry ofLabor and Social Welfare,women’s shelters in Kosovahave been promised govern-ment funding. While safehouses have provided servicesfor the government since2000, including shelter for vic-tims of domestic violence andlegal aid, few received finan-cial support from the govern-ment. Shelters struggled un-der the weight of more casesthan they could handle physi-cally or financially.

“It was a difficult situationfor us,” Safe House GjakovaDirector Sakibe Doli said. “Wewere receiving more and morerequests for help, but the do-nations were shrinking everyday.”

As international donors leaveKosova, financial support fromthe government will be essen-

tial for shelters’ sustainability.One shelter that has received

government funding is SafeHouse Gjakova, which signed acooperative agreement withthe Ministry of Labor and SocialWelfare in July 2006. For morethan six years, the Safe Househas provided essential servicesthat include a SOS telephoneline, shelter, psychological andsocial support, legal aid, med-ical examinations and opportu-nities for women to advancetheir professional skills. It alsocares for children sufferingfrom domestic violence.

In addition to these services,the Safe House trains men frominstitutions dealing with do-mestic violence in ten munici-palities, including judges, pros-ecutors, Kosova Police Serviceofficers and defense lawyers. Ithas also served as a trainingcenter for the staff of other

safe houses in Kosova. Towardprevention the Safe Housetrains youth and organizescampaigns to inform peopleabout domestic violence.

In the past, the Safe Housereceived support from theKosovo Foundation for OpenSociety, Christian Aid, Diako-nia, and especially Caritas,which purchased the shelter’sbuilding and continues to pro-vide assistance. Doli waspleased to count the govern-ment among its supporters.“By helping women in need thegovernment respects theirrights and promotes a demo-cratic society,” she said.

While all shelters havesigned an agreement with theministry for financial support,the Safe House is the onlyshelter that has actually re-ceived this funding to date.

Representatives of Zene Zena-ma and the Kosova Women’sNetwork met in Sarajevo on28-29 June to develop a re-search method for monitoringthe implementation of UnitedNations Security Council Reso-lution (UNSCR) 1325 in Kosovaand Bosnia-Herzegovina. Themeeting was organized withsupport from UNIFEM.

The workshop followed pre-liminary research on UNSCR1325 implementation conduct-ed by the two organizationslast year. Workshop partici-pants used information gath-ered in 2005 to create a moni-toring method in consultationwith experts.

During the workshop, they re-viewed participatory researchmethods and established a jointmonitoring framework. Theyidentified the following areas asthe most relevant in monitoringthe implementation of UNSCR1325 in Kosova and Bosnia-Herzegovina:• Women in decision-making

(especially women’s participa-tion in constitutional changesand in Kosova final statusnegotiations) • Women’s human rights (vio-lence against women, includingdomestic violence, traffickingand women raped in war) • Integration of gender per-spective into national security

systems • Integration of gender per-spective into UN peacekeepingoperations• Reporting by the Secretary-General to the Security Councilon progress towards gendermainstreaming in peacekeep-ing missions (UNSCR 1325, Ar-ticle 17)

volume 4 issue 3

www.womensnetwork.org

page 2

Kosovar, Bosnian Activists Create Strategy toMonitor Resolution 1325 Implementation

* “Unë Gruaja” organizationheld a regional conference inPogradec, Albania titled “Gen-der Equality in Decision-ma-king.” Women from Albania,Kosova and Macedonia net-worked and identified ways toincrease the number of wo-men in decision-makingposts, especially for the fall lo-cal elections in Albania. KWNrepresentatives proposedideas based on their expe-rience in Kosova.* Representatives from KWNand Women in Black NetworkSerbia formed the Women’sPeace Coalition on May 2006.The coalition’s first statement,sent to the Kosova and Serbgovernments, media and in-ternational decision-makers,informed negotiation talks inVienna regarding cultural heri-tage sites. Although womenare not present on the nego-tiation team, they expressedtheir thoughts on this issue.* With permission from theMinistry of Education, Violeteorganization started a semi-nar, “How to prevent HIV –AIDS,” that will be held in 30schools throughout Kosova.* The Protect Victims, PreventTrafficking (PVPT) action planfor anti-trafficking was appro-ved in May 2006. The workinggroup includes representa-tives from all ministries, PVPTand the Women’s WellnessCenter (WWC). They willcontinually update KWNabout the group’s work.* At the end of 2006, SHEERA will form “HandcraftChamber.” All organizationsdealing with handmade pro-ducts can contact SHE ERAfor further information.* The Local Women’s Forum(LWF) organized an excursionwith 55 Albanian and Serbianwomen to Brezovica to spenda day together.

June Meeting Notes

Kosovo Government Agrees to Fund Shelter

Representatives of KWN and Zene Zenama design strategy for implementing UNSCR 1325 in Sarajevo on 28 - 29 June.

Kosova Police Service (KPS)Deputy-Commissioner for theAdministration Pillar Behar Se-limi is one of Kosova’sstrongest advocates for theachievement of gender equali-ty. He has pushed for policiestoward gender equality withinKPS, promoted women tohigher positions within theservice, conducted gendertrainings and advocated forpolicies toward gender equalityin the region.

“I am convinced that genderequality will support a devel-oped society and individualfreedoms,” Selimi said.

Following the adoption of theNational Action Plan for theAchievement of Gender Equal-ity, Selimi was appointed coor-dinator for implementing theplan within KPS. Since then Se-limi has led efforts to introducethe plan, which entails incorpo-rating gender into all region-al and central KPS struc-tures and policies. “Nolonger is gender equality anaction of good will among KPSofficials,” Selimi said. “Now it’sobligatory and regulated bycertain procedures.”

Selimi has worked long andhard to reach this point. Beforebeing appointed Deputy-Com-missioner of the KPS adminis-trative pillar Selimi had to risethrough the ranks of KPS. Inhis early days as a traffic policeofficer, KPS spokesperson anddivision commander he was of-ten the lone voice of dissentwhen women were left out ofdecision-making.

Selimi felt women deservedrespect for their role in Kosovabefore the war: they had stoodalongside men, supported theirfamilies, actively participated in

parallel institutions and con-tributed to aspirations regard-ing Kosova’s political status.

While serving in lower posi-tions within KPS, Selimi wouldspend weeks trying to con-vince his superiors of the im-portance of providing opportu-nities for women within KPS.His later promotion to a posi-tion within KPS managementhas enabled Selimi to push formore changes.

“Now I can make decisionsmyself,” he said. “This showshow important it is to havegender aware people in deci-sion-making positions.”

Through his position, Selimihas brought more women intoKPS management positions.He aims for women and mento each fill at least 40 percentof KPS positions, according tothe quota within the Law forGender Equality. He has also

m a d ebudgeta l l o ca -tions forprojectswith agenderperspec-tive.

As a certified gender trainer,Selimi has empowered womenin KPS through trainings andcarrier development opportuni-ties as well as educated newpolice officers about genderequality.

For his commitment to genderequality and positive cooperationwith women’s non-governmentalorganizations, KWN memberselected Selimi to serve as a KWNBoard member in 2004.

“I felt rather privileged to be-come a member of the board,”he said. “I was the first manthere and I felt very good aboutthat. Now I feel even bettersince Besim Kajtazi has joinedme.”

He has participated actively inKWN local and internationaltrainings and meetings. He re-cently attended a meeting inSarajevo as a KWN representa-tive where he met other policeofficials. He used this opportu-nity to emphasize the impor-tance of gender equality withinthe police force and advocatefor more policies toward thatend in the region.

Selimi’s work toward genderequality in Kosova hasset a positive examplefor police officersaround the world.

Code of ConductBuilds KosovarOrganizations’

Capacity for theFuture

volume 4 issue 3page 3

Behar Selimi: Supporter of Gender Equality

Over the summer KWNmember organizations metto discuss and sign theKWN Ethical and Accounta-bility Code of Conduct.The document will set the

standard for accountabilityand transparency for KWNmembers into the future.

The code includes six ba-sic principles: Mission andProgram, Good Gover-nance, Human Resources,Financial Transparency andAccountability, Civic Res-ponsibility and Partner-ships and Networking.

KWN members will incor-porate these principles intotheir work through a seriesof benchmarks over thecourse of three years.Their progress will be mo-

nitored and evaluated an-nually by an EvaluationCommittee comprised oftheir peers and unaffiliatedstakeholders.

KWN is invested fully inimplementing the code.Throughout the three-yearperiod KWN will host trai-nings and workshops andhire outside consultants toassist each member orga-nization with implementingthe principles of the code.

Most importantly, thecode will assist memberswith building their capacityas organizations towards asustainable future.

Behar Selimi, Kosova Police Service (KPS) Deputy-Commissioner forthe Administration Pillar, is a strong advocate for gender equality.

“How important it is tohave gender aware people indecision-making positions.””

- Behar Selimi

volume 4 issue 3

www.womensnetwork.org

page 4

Kosova Women’s Networkwww.womensnetwork.org

info@womensnetwork.orgHajdar Dushi C-2, II/8

Prishtinë, Kosovë

KWN staff

Igballe RogovaExecutive Director

igo@womensnetwork.org

Besa Shehu Finance Manager

info@womensnetwork.org

Nexhmije FetahuProgram Manager

info@womensnetwork.org

Alba LoxhaInformation Assistant

info@womensnetwork.org

Barbra BeardenIntern

from Advocacy Project

KWN board

Naxhije BuçincaDelina Fico

Besim KajtaziMarta PrekpalajVjosa Dobruna

Belgjyzare MuharremiBehar Selimi

“Kosovar Women’s Voice” waswritten and designed by

Alba Loxha and Barbra Bearden,with assistance from Nicole Farnsworth.

Medica Kosova Supports Rural Women

The villages in Gjakova andDeçan municipalities are rich innatural wealth. Many womenliving there have years of ex-perience cultivating bees, rais-ing livestock and producingvegetables. However, duringthe war much of their agricul-tural infrastructure was de-stroyed.

More critically, many womenliving in these municipalitieslost husbands and sons duringthe war. They became heads oftheir households, responsiblefor generating income and car-ing for their family membersindependently. At the sametime, they struggled to healfrom the trauma and loss theyhad experienced.

Medica Kosova, a KWN mem-ber organization in Gjakova,has specialized in supportingwomen through post-war heal-ing processes since 1999. Atfirst, Medica only providedhealthcare to women and chil-dren living in villages wherepublic clinics were unavailableor under-resourced. The orga-nization’s mobile ambulancetraveled to villages, offeringgynecologic examinations andcounseling services for trauma.Its Gjakova clinic provided healthcheck-ups, including breast ultra-sonic examinations toward pre-venting breast cancer.

However, Medica staff mem-bers soon realized that familiescould not be healthy withoutfirst resolving problems left bythe war. “Health is not only the

absence of disease, but alsopsycho-physical and socialwelfare in general,” VeproreShehu, Director of MedicaKosova said.

Therefore Medica became in-volved in providing opportuni-ties for women to reestablishtheir lives. Medica suppliedthem with bees, livestock,tractors and other agriculturalequipment. Women beganproducing milk, wheat, corn,beans, potatoes, food for ani-mals and honey products.

At the same time, Medica as-sisted women in establishingself-help groups where theycould interact with otherwomen in similar life situa-tions. Medica provided themwith training in leadership,management, legal rights toproperty and inheritance, pro-duction, equipment mainte-nance and finances.

Afterward, some women be-gan to form independent sup-port groups and women’s as-sociations. In the future, theycan cooperate with otherwomen agricultural associa-tions in Kosova and abroad.When women farmer associa-tions in south Tyrol, Italy heardabout these new associations,they set aside a fund for expe-rience exchange visits withthem.

By helping women form localsupport groups, restart workthat builds on their prior expe-rience, and generate income tomeet the needs of their fami-lies, Medica Kosova has helpedhundreds of rural families im-prove their living conditionsand rebuild their lives. This hasled to better physical and men-tal health conditions in thesecommunities.

This year women politiciansand civil society representa-tives across the Balkans haveunited to advance peace andstability in South East Europewith support from UNIFEM.

They have requested full im-plementation of United NationsSecurity Council Resolution1325 that calls upon all stateparties to ensure representa-tion of women at all decision-

making levels. The Women’sLobby for Peace, Security andJustice in South East Europehas met twice and issued pressreleases regarding internation-al and regional issues.

Members include leadingwomen from Albania, Bosniaand Herzegovina, Croatia,Kosova, Macedonia, Montene-gro and Serbia. In their state-ments they called for a peace-

ful and comprehensive resolu-tion to Kosova political statustalks and condemned violencein the Middle East. Both issuesare central to the protection ofwomen’s rights and the ad-vancement of peace. For moreinformation about this regionalcollaboration or to read thestatements mentioned in thisarticle, visit our NEW website:www.womensnetwork.org.

SEE Women Leaders Issue Joint Statements

Medica Kosova assists and empowers rural women.