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The Sustainable Development Goals in Kosovo
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Kosovo:
Publication
25 January 2021
United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021-2025
This United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021–2025 (Cooperation Framework) articulates the United Nations development system’s cooperation with Kosovo institutions and partners over the next five years. Underpinned by solid analysis of key social, economic and environmental challenges, the Cooperation Framework aims to support progress towards sustainable development in Kosovo anchored around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in line with government and regional integration priorities. In short, the Cooperation Framework expresses collective aspirations for a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient sustainable development for Kosovo.
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Publication
24 June 2022
Results Report of 2021
The second year in a row overshadowed by COVID-19, 2021 spelled a period of resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges and set Kosovo on a remarkable path to recovery that defied predictions.
For the UN, 2021 also marked the first year of implementation of our Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021-2025, an important milestone to testify to the close relationship between the United Nations and the government and people of Kosovo. Throughout 2021, we delivered tangible results across five priority areas, bringing agencies together to ensure a more effective, integrated response with partners to fight the pandemic and forge pathways towards resilient recovery.
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Publication
22 July 2021
Maximising Synergies Between the 2030 Agenda and Kosovo’s European Agenda
The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the European Union (EU) Reform Agenda are both aimed at supporting development reforms and long-term prosperity, presenting important areas of complementarity and synergy. As a result, there is an opportunity to capitalise on the areas of complementarity and synergy that underlie these mutual efforts in Kosovo. The issue of sustainable development features heavily in EU strategic frameworks and policies: the 2030 Agenda is integrated systematically into the EU’s foreign policy, and sustainable development is a prevailing objective of the EU in Kosovo. Given this shared commitment to the SDGs, there is potential to collaborate more closely in Kosovo and expand on existing initiatives with the aim to facilitate Kosovo’s progress towards SDG achievement and further its development and progress on its European path.
This report illustrates how Kosovo’s development trajectory is directly intertwined with progress towards its EU aspirations. A comparison between the chapters of the EU acquis and the SDGs reveals over 60 per cent alignment. The framework for EU enlargement could help contribute to improved outcomes with respect to the SDGs and Kosovo development objectives. At the same time, if cross-sectoral intersections between the SGDs and the EU Reform Agenda are developed, Kosovo development outcomes would be further supported.
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Publication
20 October 2022
Common Kosovo Analysis 2022
The United Nations Common Kosovo Analysis (CKA) is the UN Kosovo Team’s independent, impartial and collective assessment and analysis of the Kosovo context, which has shaped the development of its Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021-2025. It examines progress, gaps, opportunities and bottlenecks vis-à-vis Kosovo’s commitment to achieving the 2030 Agenda. A living document, the CKA in current and future iterations will inform UNKT work on a continuous basis, making the UN responsive to emerging needs and changing conditions. The CKA is the result of an extensive multi-stakeholder process and combines data currently available separately throughout the system, useful to inform both internal and external audiences. Some data sources are outlined in the annexes. This is the second iteration of the analysis, to be used for the year 2022.
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Publication
04 August 2021
Public Pulse Brief XX
On its 20th edition, this Public Pulse Brief gives an overview of findings on ten key indicators derived from opinion polls conducted biannually with respondents in Kosovo. A collection of people’s perceptions on socio-economic issues, safety, environment, and many more pertinent issues. The 20th Public Pulse Brief, is based on an opinion poll conducted from 12 to 25 May 2021, with 1,307 respondents from all ethnic communities in Kosovo. Data and indicators from the opinion poll are disaggregated by ethnicity and gender to provide detailed information on differences in perceptions and developmental problems faced by the people of Kosovo.
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Story
23 May 2023
Nexhmije's Buzzing Success: A Tale of Perseverance and Legacy in Kosovo's Beekeeping Industry
Nexhmije, a spirited woman hailing from the village of Çabër/Čabra in Zubin Potok municipality, always found herself captivated by her family's long-standing tradition of beekeeping. As she observed her parents and grandparents meticulously tending to their bees and producing high-quality honey, a burning passion for beekeeping ignited within her. Determined to follow in her family's footsteps and forge her own path in the world of beekeeping, Nexhmije took advantage of the support provided by the EU-funded Community Stabilisation Programme IV (EU-CSP IV), implemented by IOM. With this backing, she embarked on her entrepreneurial journey, establishing her own beekeeping business in a village blessed with perfect conditions for producing raw honey.
Nexhmije's village is blessed with the ideal conditions for producing raw honey, and she plans to focus on producing bee propolis and wax, which have a high demand in the market. With her experience and knowledge of beekeeping techniques passed down from her family, Nexhmije has been able to invest in the necessary equipment and resources to kickstart her beekeeping business. Her business is already starting to take off, and she has gained a reputation in her community for producing high-quality propolis and wax.
“I am proud to be continuing my family's legacy and am excited about the future of my business”, Nexhmije said.
The overall objective of the EU-funded Community Stabilisation Programme in partnership with the Ministry for Communities and Returns is to facilitate the creation of an inclusive multi-ethnic society in Kosovo, through socio-economic stability and community development initiatives and viable income and employment creation with full access to all communities ensuring their sustainable integration, promoting durable community stability and cohesion.
The EU-CSP IV is designed to create income-generating opportunities for non-majority communities in key economic sectors, thereby enhancing their integration prospects, and to improve social inclusion and resilience by stimulating tailored inter-ethnic community initiatives that contribute to trust building and reconciliation. During 2022, the EU-CSP IV provided support to 124 businesses and community development projects, which led to the creation of 120 new jobs and the promotion of integration and inter-ethnic reconciliation.
Just as bees work diligently and harmoniously in their hives to create honey, Nexhmije's tenacity and self-determination have enabled her to build a thriving business, drawing on the wisdom and legacy of her family. As we celebrate World Bee Day, Nexhmije's journey serves as a reminder of the incredible impact that resilience and cooperation can have on individuals and communities alike, creating a buzz of success and unity in the face of adversity.
Originally published in the IOM Kosovo website:
https://kosovo.iom.int/stories/nexhmijes-buzzing-success-tale-perseverance-and-legacy-kosovos-beekeeping-industry
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Story
11 April 2023
In Our Family We Say, ‘Like Father, Like Daughter’
Have you ever been to a Roma wedding or celebration? If not, you’re missing out on perhaps the best party ever.
The lively and cheerful musical tones at Roma parties bring vibrant colour to the celebration rooms, and there’s no sitting—you’re carried away by the atmosphere, unaware that you’ve started to dance. Amidst the festivities, the sound of the tambourine somehow stands out, its beautiful music often being played by women.
In this story, we bring you along to a small shop, owned by a local Roma family, where these tambourines are produced.
In the beautiful, old Kosovo village of Janjevë/Janjevo, with its multicultural community that includes Croatian, Albanian, Turkish and Romani people living in harmony, tradition meets innovation. Sali Gashi (43), a local tambourine producer, was born in this village and lives here with his wife, two daughters and a son. He inherited the skill of making tambourines from his father and he’s now, in turn, proudly handing it down to his children.
His eldest daughter, Nadja (21), is very keen to continue the family business, together with her younger brother. “People say, ‘Like mother, like daughter,’ but I’m proud to transfer my knowledge to my daughter, so in our family we say, ‘Like father, like daughter,’” Sali emphasises, proudly.
He explains that he makes the percussion instrument, which has a shallow drum and small metal disks around the edge, with goat skin, metal and plastic. “When you hit and move it with your hands, a beautiful sound comes out,” he says.
His customers are from all over the Balkans, but most orders come from the Albanian community in Kosovo. “People interested in traditional music know about me and how good I am at making tambourines,” he says. “Just ask for Sali Gashi, and everyone will know about me.”
Nadja is no less talented. Besides using her skills in the tambourine-making business, she also works as a professional cook at one of the most popular restaurants in central Kosovo. But she says she’s uncertain about the future of the craft that has been passed down in her family through the generations.
“I’m not sure I see my future in this business, because we receive orders only during the summer, in the wedding season, when we produce around 200 tambourines per month. The rest of the time, we produce metal twisters for hair,” she explains. “The pandemic hit the Romani community hard, but I see that other communities are also in the same situation. Living off any craft seems like the way out of this economic crisis. We need help to expand this business, so I hope for better times.”
With a smile etched across her face, Nadja seems like a happy young woman, aspiring to find new prospects. “We need more opportunities and more initiatives for the revival of Janjevë/Janjevo—to use the unique natural beauty of the village, so that we can reopen and re-start our businesses. We’re close to the capital, so people can easily come and enjoy our natural and cultural riches,” she says.
With her talent, energy and the support of the community, Nadja has the prospects to take her family business to new heights, pursue new opportunities and help bring prosperity to her village.
Fortunately, there’s a project with a focus on safeguarding and restoring cultural heritage sites, while also fostering economic growth through tourism. Titled ‘Cultural Heritage as a Driver for Economic Revival of Janjevë/Janjevo,’ it’s funded by the European Union Office in Kosovo (through IPA II) and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and implemented by UNDP.
Story by: Valbona Shujaku and Danijela Mitic
Photo credit: Enis Mustafa and Arben Llapashtica for UNDP Kosovo
Story edited by: Jack Butcher for UNDP Kosovo
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Story
13 April 2023
A Healthy Environment Is Our Right. Let’s Protect It.
The quality of the environment in Kosovo is negatively affecting people’s health and wellbeing. People are being exposed to multiple environmental threats at once; pollution from the accumulated industrial pollutants, and the weak waste management systems using outdated approaches. Kosovo has already started experiencing a range of impacts related to climate change. The increased temperatures, extreme weather events, water scarcity, and infectious and vector diseases are an added burden to people’s health and wellbeing.
In 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring a clean and healthy environment as a human right. UNDP Kosovo is committed to mobilizing and taking action to protect this human right. Through the joint UN project - Healthier Kosovo – UNDP, together with its partners, supports building resilience towards environmental and public health threats, by setting up a new and re-focused approach to address the most pressing environmental health risks.
Through Healthier Kosovo, UNDP is helping drive this change through working closely with local institutions, academia, civil society and young changemakers to make health and environment a top priority.
Strengthening inter-institutional cooperation is crucial for ensuring improved environmental quality and better public health.
Healthier Kosovo 2 is a joint UN project that is focused on improving the health and resilience of Kosovo's population in the face of environmental health threats. The project covers areas such as air pollution, COVID-19-related waste in health facilities, and the impacts of climate change on health. It is a collaborative effort between UNDP, UNV and WHO, aimed at supporting environmental and health institutions in Kosovo with capacity development and technical assistance. This project is generously funded by Luxembourg.
The Healthier Kosovo Project has been supporting Kosovo’s environmental and health institutions with capacity development and technical assistance. A better management of medical waste has become possible with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), created in cooperation with the Ministry of Health.
Moreover, a faster and a more effectively response to environmental risks is enabled through the new software for collecting and monitoring environmental real time data, developed for the Kosovo Hydrometeorological Institute. Municipalities have also been directly engaged and supported in reducing air pollution locally. HK team has helped develop strategies and tools and ultimately draft the Local Action Plans for Air Quality (LAPAQs). All this is expected to lead to a strengthened resilience to the impacts of environmental threats.
Given the fact that the environment and health issues can be affected by the actions and decisions of individual, the Healthier Kosovo project has been engaging youth and all the community in addressing the challenges of air pollution. Through awareness raising activities, educational campaigns and co-design workshops, Healthier Kosovo has been educating communities, providing them with the necessary information on climate change health threats and the measures to reduce their exposure to the threats.
Given the fact that the environment and health issues can be affected by the actions and decisions of individual, the Healthier Kosovo project has been engaging youth and all the community in addressing the challenges of air pollution. Through awareness raising activities, educational campaigns and co-design workshops, Healthier Kosovo has been educating communities, providing them with the necessary information on climate change health threats and the measures to reduce their exposure to the threats.
In the series of awareness raising activities, a blog post titled ‘Cities are growing dangerously warm: What we need to know and what has to be done’ was published as part of the Heat Wave Campaign aiming to educate communities about how heat waves are becoming more frequent because of climate change.
We believe that this joint UN project will contribute to increased awareness of the environmental threats that affect people’s health and well-being - and provide ability and tools to take action to secure a clean and healthy environment for all.
Read or blog on Heatwave:
Cities are getting dangerously warm: What we need to know and what needs to be done | United Nations Development Programme (undp.org)
Story by Rina Abazi and Zana Shabani Isenaj
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Story
13 April 2023
Kosovo Women Unlocking the Potential of Organic Production
Organic production has always been one of the key economic activities in Kosovo. However, organic production has begun to gain importance only during the past few years, when Kosovo women, passionate for organic farming and production, started promoting and developing this approach.
Havushe Bunjaku, owner of ‘99lule’, which deals with medicinal and aromatic plants, is one of them. She is among the first women in Kosovo, to have started using non-timber forest products (NTFP) such as herbs, spices, aromatic plants for food and health purposes. This is her story; A story of visionary entrepreneurship and commitment to a green and sustainable future. Havushe, a biology graduate, first started in 2009, sampling organic teas to her close family, friends, and neighbors, to very soon become one of a few women entrepreneurs in the organic sector in Kosovo. “At the time, there was no awareness about organic food and its benefits whatsoever. It required time and investment to build the customer network I currently have,” says Havushe while walking us through numerous challenges she had been facing in the beginning. “I never gave up, I personally used to participate in various fairs, bring in my products, and talk directly with the consumers, so that they really understand what organic products and their health benefits are,” she adds.
Now, Havushe’s business is among a few with organic certification, issued by Albinspekt, a certification body operating in Albania and Kosovo. The food produced by ‘99lule’ is based on the European organic regulations and principles, meaning it is from Organic production ingredients and no external inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides, and food additives are used. This way, ‘99lule’ ensures to promote environmental protection, maintain the biodiversity of Europe and build consumer trust in organic products.
Through the BOOST x Kosovo Programme, Havushe assisted by her teenage daughter, Erblina, managed to push organic production forward by expanding her product line as well as increasing production capacity. It was mid-September last year, when Erblina, currently studying Mathematics and Engineeringin Edinburgh, came up with an innovative solution, called‘Greenergy’, and got selected for the UNDP’s 6-month acceleration programme. Throughout this period, they have been technically and financially supported in their efforts to a greener and a more sustainable future, while using Organic production waste to produce affordable, organic-certified, and sustainable spices.
“The grant we received from UNDP’s initiative ‘BOOST x Kosovo’ helped us grow in multifaceted ways. Our investment in solar panels, solar pump inverter, and an herb extraction machine has paid off for ‘99lule’. 50% of our daily operations are now powered by solar energy, and energy bills have gone down ever since,” Havushe states.
Importantly, ‘99 lule’ has added value to the community by creating employment opportunities for dozens of women living in rural areas nearby. Over 50 women farmers have now joined ‘99lule’ and Havushe in her mission to provide high quality products by being engaged in every stage of the production process, from seeds to the final processed and packaged food. These organic products can now be found in various supermarkets, pharmacies, and restaurants all across Kosovo. Recently, ‘99 lule’ has started to export its products to Switzerland, aspiring to soon expand the distribution to other European countries as well.
‘Greenergy’ of Havushe Bunjaku is among the 15 winning solutions of the first edition of BOOST x Kosovo, supported by UNDP Kosovo and the Government of Japan, and implemented in cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the Innovation Centre Kosovo (ICK). The local chapter of the regional BOOST Programme launched in September 2022, aimed to support businesses and communities to rebound from COVID-19 and build a climate-resilient future.
Story by: Rina Abazi Photo credit: Rina Abazi
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Story
18 April 2023
ReLOaD 2: Women Embracing Culture Through Murals
Art plays a vital role in society, as a powerful tool for expression, creativity, and social change. Art has many facets; it promotes unity and connects us with our culture and our community. It also has the power to inspire young people to think differently, break down prejudices and imagine a better future. Last year, the civil society organization “Futja Ngjyrë” - supported by the ReLOaD 2 program which is funded by the European Union in partnership with UNDP - launched a project called “Promaja”. The project aims to harness the power of art and embrace Mitrovica’s cultural heritage through all art forms. A pioneer in driving the art scene of Mitrovica, the CSO seeks to engage young people in the process of celebrating and preserving cultural identity through a series of workshops, murals, podcasts, and a documentary about Mitrovica’s cultural heritage. By bringing together artists, community leaders and young people, “Promaja” is not only creating beautiful murals around the city but creating a platform for young artists to showcase their skills and promote a sense of shared belonging.
Dea Gaxha, Futja Ngjyrë’s project manager explains that the project's core message is to “Embrace our Culture” and create murals around the city that depict cultural elements and figures that truly represent Mitrovica. Through a series of mural-making workshops, the project has brought together young artists from all over Kosovo to help visualize the best artefacts of Mitrovica, a city rich in cultural heritage. Throughout the workshops, it has provided great opportunities for the young artists to collaborate, exchange ideas and techniques, and showcase their skills. For Dhurata Begolli - like many other young artists that took part in the workshops - this was the first time that she got the opportunity to paint a mural as there are not many organizations that provide these artistic outlets. The goal at the end of the workshops was to help artists sketch their murals that reflect their thoughts and ideas of what represents Mitrovica’s cultural heritage. All the artists who completed the six murals in Mitrovica were women from different backgrounds making the project a powerful example of the talent and creativity of women artists in Kosovo. Let’s meet the women behind the art!
The Muse and the Fisherman by Eliza Shala
Eliza is a 21-year-old artist who specializes in animation, sculpture, and illustration. She has painted the murals named “The Muse” and “The Fisherman”. Eliza’s work is centered around freedom of expression and exploring the depth of her feelings and emotions. Through her drawings, Eliza tells stories and perspectives of the people of Mitrovica - using her art to create a platform of exploration and expression.
Eliza describes that the inspiration behind “The Muse '' is drawn from the role of women in society, as they try to assert themselves and claim their own space without seeking permission from anyone. The artist says that the mural celebrates the beauty and perseverance of women in society. Ultimately, “The Muse” serves as a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of women - in the past, present, and future.
The Fisherman mural is a collaborative effort between the artist and the Recreational Sport Fishermen’s Association “Ibri” Mitrovica, which is displayed in their facility. This mural showcases the prevalent fishing tradition of Mitrovica. This mural is not only meant to highlight the fishing tradition of Mitrovica but also aims to promote cooperation with other CSOs through this project.
Muharrem Qena by Dhurata Begollli and Arlinda Blakaj
Dhurata is a 21-year-old artist who is a student in the University of Arts in Pristina who specializes in multimedia, sculpture, and print. Arlinda Blakaj is a 32-year-old artist who specializes in painting and portraits. For both artists, this was the first time that they were given the opportunity to paint a mural and they worked together to sketch and paint the portrait of the renowned figure of Muharrem Qena. In the city of Mitrovica South now there is a mural of Muharrem Qena, who is known to be one of the most talented artists of his time and one of the most recognized symbols of the city.
MK-2 by Donjeta Haziri and Besmira
The mural artists have chosen to represent both the cultural and historical aspects of Mitrovica by incorporating two significant elements of the city's heritage - The Miner's Monument and the Golf 2 car. The Miner's Monument is an important monument in the history of miners in Mitrovica, and it has great cultural and historical significance for the people of the city. The monument is a tribute to the hard work and sacrifice of the miners who helped build the city's economy and contributed to its growth and development.
The Golf 2 car, on the other hand, represents a strong symbolism and belonging for the local communities and overall culture of Mitrovica. The Golf 2 is a popular car model in Kosovo and is often associated with the youth culture and car culture of the region. By including the car in the mural, the artists are recognizing the importance of this cultural piece in the daily lives of the people of Mitrovica.
FootnotesReLOaD 2 supported by the European Union in Kosovo and implemented by UNDP Kosovo. Story by Erita Deshishku Photo credit: Arben Llapashtica
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Press Release
12 April 2023
Safety and Health at Work: A Study of Cases of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace in Kosovo in the Public and Private Sector
The research "Safety and Health at Work: A study of cases of sexual harassment at the workplace in Kosovo in the public and private sector" was carried out by IDRA Consulting, while the demand to provide such data derived from the Institution of Ombudsperson in Kosovo.
This field research aimed to collect the opinions and perceptions of employed women regarding their general safety in the workplace, exposure to sexual harassment of women and the impact of sexual harassment on physical and mental well-being.
Ombdsperson, Naim Qelaj fully supported the prevention cause by vowing that the institution he leads will extend its efforts to address and give voice to the phenomenon. Furthermore, he said that this report will raise concerns at the right address to achieve a solution and oblige relevant institutions to treat these cases.
Meanwhile, Vlora Tuzi Nushi, head of UN Women office for Kosovo, said that the phenomenon affects both women and men in the workplace, however global statistics show that women are more exposed.
"Sexual harassment can happen to anyone, regardless of whether it is a man or a woman. According to a global ILO survey, one in 15 people globally had experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. However, despite the fact that the phenomenon affects both sexes, statistically women experience sexual harassment at work more than men".
On the other hand, Arnhild Spence, the United Nations Development Coordinator in Kosovo, said that 'Everyone has the right to a workplace free form sexual harassment. Let us have zero tolerance for violence and harassment at work – or anywhere!'.
The survey carried out with 500 women respondents from different professional sectors in the public and private sector conducted in the 7 largest regions in Kosovo (Prishtina, Prizren, Mitrovica, Ferizaj/Uroševac, Pejë/ć, Gjakovë/Đakovica, Gjilan/Gnjilane) highlighted that at a general level 72% of the sample was familiar with the term sexual harassment in the workplace and 24% stated that they were not aware of it.
On the other hand, when asked if they experienced sexual harassment, only 9% of women declared that they were sexually harassed, while 84% of respondents said that they themselves or someone they know was not sexually harassed, 5% of them did not know, meanwhile 2 % refused to answer.
However, it should be noted that due to the sensitivity of the subject, these data do not represent reality.
Meanwhile, regarding the form of sexual harassment that they have witnessed mostly happening in the workplace, comments of a sexual nature are listed with (25%), electronic or physical stalking (20%), sexual coercion or quid pro quo - something in exchange for something (19*).
This study was conducted under the framework of the labour rights campaign “A decent job for a dignified life”, under the leadership of Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers with support of Embassy of Sweden in Prishtina. Implementing partners of the campaign are Labour Inspectorate, Tax Administration of Kosovo, International Labour Organization, UN Women, Community Development Fund, Kosovar Stability Initiative, Center for Policies and Avocation and LENS.
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Press Release
08 March 2023
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- OPED FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
Around the world, progress on women’s rights is vanishing before our eyes. The latest forecasts estimate that on our current track, it will take another 300 years to reach full gender equality.
Today’s cascading crises, from the war in Ukraine to the climate emergency, affect women and girls first and worst. And as part of the global pushback against democracy, women’s rights over their bodies and autonomy over their lives are being questioned and denied.
Two statistics make our failure very clear:
Every ten minutes, one woman or girl is murdered by a family member or intimate partner.
And one woman dies every two minutes during pregnancy or childbirth. Most of those deaths are entirely preventable.
On International Women’s Day, we must commit to doing better. We need to reverse these horrific trends and stand up for the lives and rights of women and girls, everywhere.
This is one of my core priorities and a central plank of the work of the United Nations around the world.
From South Sudan to Myanmar, we are supporting women and girls in crisis and making sure their voices are heard in peace processes.
The Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, recently visited Afghanistan with a message for the authorities: women and girls have fundamental human rights, and we will never give up fighting for them.
This year, International Women’s Day focuses on closing gender gaps in science, technology, and innovation. Globally, men are 21 percent more likely to be online than women — and over 50 percent more likely in low-income countries.
But even the richest countries lose out because of gender-based stereotypes and historic bias. In the tech industry, men outnumber women two to one. In Artificial Intelligence, it’s five to one.
Big data is the new gold, and the foundation of today’s political and business decisions. But it often ignores gender differences – or turns a blind eye to women altogether.
We should all be alarmed by products and services that bake in gender inequality right from the start, and digitize patriarchy and misogyny.
The Silicon Valleys of this world must not become Death Valleys for women’s rights.
Medical decisions based on data from men’s bodies can not only harm women; it can be deadly.
Discrimination against women in science and technology is the result of centuries of patriarchy, discrimination and damaging stereotypes. Women account for just three percent of Nobel Prize winners in scientific categories since 1901. And women online – including scientists and journalists – are often targeted for sexist hate speech and abuse designed to silence and shame them.
But they will not be silenced. Women and girls everywhere are demanding their rights, and their words reverberate around the world.
We need action on several fronts to make sure women and girls can make their full contribution to the world’s knowledge through science and technology.
We must break down barriers — from discriminatory data to stereotypes that push girls away from studying scientific subjects at an early age.
Decisionmakers of all kinds must broaden women’s participation and leadership in science and technology, through quotas if necessary.
They should be creative, widening the recruitment pipeline and hiring for skills. And they must be persistent. Gender equality will not happen by itself; it has to be prioritized and pursued. This approach is getting results at the United Nations, where we have our own strategy for gender parity among our personnel.
We also need action to create a safe digital environment for women and to hold accountable both the perpetrators of online abuse, and the digital platforms that enable them.
The United Nations is working with governments, civil society, the private sector and others on a Code of Conduct aimed at reducing harm and increasing accountability on digital platforms, while defending freedom of expression.
Women’s rights are not a luxury that can wait until we solve the climate crisis, end poverty and create a better world.
Investing in women and girls is the surest way to uplift all people, communities and countries, and to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Together, let’s work for a more inclusive, just, and prosperous world for women and girls, men and boys, everywhere.
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Press Release
01 December 2022
DEEPLY SADDENED BY THE MURDER OF A PREGNANT WOMAN ALLEGEDLY BY HER PARTNER, THE SECURITY AND GENDER GROUP CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE AND CONCRETE PROTECTION OF WOMEN
The second femicide in Kosovo in less than a week has stained the annual global campaign to bring an end to violence against women and girls, this time with a nine-month pregnant woman shot dead allegedly by her partner.
The devastating death of the pregnant woman on Wednesday, 30 November in Prishtinë/Priština, whose unborn child also did not survive the shooting, follows on the murder of S.G by her husband in her sleep on Friday (25 November), International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the same day that the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence began around the world.
The Security and Gender Group (SGG) strongly condemns these atrocious acts. We express indignation at the number of women’s lives lost in Kosovo to violence perpetrated by their partners or former partners. We also strenuously call upon relevant institutions urgently to address the institutional protection failure which allows reported domestic violence to result in femicide, and to provide effective protection to those victims whose lives are still at risk.
Also, the SGG extends heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.
As the whole world marks the annual international “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” campaign, we are shocked at these blatant cases of apparent partner violence directed at women– giving the dreadful statistic of two cases of femicide only five days apart.
Gender-related killings of women, known as femicide, are the most brutal and extreme manifestation of a continuum of violence against women and girls. This kind of violence remains the most pervasive human rights violation around the world.[1] A global report launched a few days ago by UN Women and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) revealed that, around the world, on average five women or girls are killed every hour by someone in their own family.[2]
Such extreme forms of violence against women and girls are preventable. This can be achieved through early intervention and multi-stakeholder and multisectoral partnerships.
According to the study on Gender and Small Arms in Southeast Europe, the likelihood of women being killed increases by between five and twelve times if the perpetrator of domestic violence has a firearm, legal or illegal.[3] In this case, although the victim had a protection order, the perpetrator managed to murder her using a firearm. In Kosovo, during 2012-2016, 71.4% of women and 81.8% of men killed by a family member utilized a firearm. All the women killed by an intimate partner during this period were killed with firearms.[4]
According to Article 24(1) of the Law on Protection against Domestic Violence, the Kosovo Police shall respond to any report relating to acts of domestic violence or threats to commit such acts. The Law further states that the “Kosovo Police shall use reasonable means to protect the victim and prevent further violence.” It established specific measures to be taken in such cases. In this case, the victim had been issued a protection order against the suspect, valid until 13 March 2023. Furthermore, an indictment was filed against the suspect with charges of threat against the victim in August of this year and the initial hearing was held in September.
There were 2,273 cases of domestic violence reported to the police from January to the end of October 2022; sadly, but not surprisingly, more than 85 per cent of the victims were women.
To ensure that all women and girls are protected effectively in the future, SGG members appeal to relevant institutions to:
guarantee justice for victims, concrete actions to prevent violence against women and girls, protect victims, prosecute, and sentence the perpetrators in line with the Istanbul Convention.
initiate perpetrator programmes aimed at changing violent behavioural patterns
implement electronic monitoring technologies through bracelets to enable judicial and executive authorities to restrict, regulate and enforce the perpetrator’s locations, movements, and schedules, and thereby prevent the reoccurrence of violence.
allocate adequate resources to ensure more effective reporting mechanisms from social workers
allocate adequate resources to the police to treat domestic violence cases with the highest priority and determination
properly conduct a multi-agency review of these latest gender-related killings to ensure organisational failings are identified and lessons are learned that allow those failings to be addressed and not to reoccur
establish an independent Task Force composed of representatives from state stakeholders’ institutions and specialized NGO representatives and specialized NGOs to assess and evaluate the treatment of the latest cases of femicide by respective officials and institutions.
invest in fighting gender stereotyping and a culture of violence against women and girls since early education.
Ensure effective risk assessment of Domestic Violence cases and develop adequate safety plans for the victims.
Rigorously monitor protection orders and provide victims with immediate access to police protection.
Seize firearms immediately when a Domestic Violence case is reported.
The SGG will not stop raising the voice of women victims to ensure we increase effective means to educate, deter, prevent, protect and prosecute domestic violence and femicide. We will be the voice for those who may believe they are voice-less, and we will stand firm against gender-based violence.
Note to press
The Security and Gender Group (SGG) is a multi-stakeholder group, chaired by UN Women. The following signatories are members of SGG and support this public statement:
International organizations and Embassies: UN Kosovo Team (UNKT) agencies including the Office of the UN Development Coordinator, UN Women, IOM, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); The Embassy of Sweden in Kosovo, The Embassy of Finland in Kosovo, EULEX, UNMIK-UN Mission in Kosovo, EU Office/EUSR in Kosovo, OSCE Mission in Kosovo.
Women’s organizations and NGOs: Kosova Women’s Network; Kosovo Gender Studies Center (KGSC), YIHR KS, Network of Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian Women Organizations (NRAEWOK), Jahjaga Foundation, Kosovo Law Institute (KLI).
Kosovo Institutions: Agency for Gender Equality
[1] https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/in-focus/2022/11/in-focus-16-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence
[2] https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2022/11/gender-related-killings-of-women-and-girls-improving-data-to-improve-responses-to-femicide-feminicide
[3] Gender-Analysis_Report_KOS_ENG.pdf (seesac.org)
[4] Gender-Analysis_Report_KOS_ENG.pdf (seesac.org), see page 21
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Press Release
01 September 2022
THE SECURITY AND GENDER GROUP CALLS FOR ACTION TO BE TAKEN FOLLOWING THE RAPE OF A MINOR GIRL IN PRISTINA
The group calls upon relevant institutions to take effective measures to thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the case and ensure effective delivery of justice for the survivor. There can be no tolerance for rape and other forms of sexual violence and no impunity for perpetrators
SGG also calls upon the media to refrain from publishing information that might lead to disclosing the survivor’s identity. In addition, the SGG calls upon relevant institutions to build specialized services for addressing sexual violence whilst committing to join efforts in protecting and supporting survivors of gender-based violence.
As a globally occurring and significantly underreported crime, sexual violence against women and girls needs to be addressed in a manner presenting the least risk to those seeking assistance and ensuring the right to safety, confidentiality, and non-discrimination to the survivor with support provided in the most dignified manner. Finalization of the Protocol for Treatment of Sexual Violence cases should happen as a matter of urgency, clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of each institution involved in supporting survivors of sexual violence. At the same time, the justice system needs to ensure that the perpetrators are held criminally liable and punished as prescribed by the Kosovo criminal code and provided for in the Istanbul Convention.
Examinations conducted by the Kosovo Forensic Institute show that majority of victims of sexual violence are minors. The latest rape case, committed brutally against a minor girl, is deeply shocking and reveals that even the most vulnerable are not protected.
The Istanbul Convention, the provisions of which are to be directly applicable in Kosovo, and which the Kosovo institutions have committed to implement includes specific requirements on addressing cases of sexual violence including rape, ranging from criminalisation to protection of victims (Article 25 and Article 36). Recognizing the severe trauma associated with sexual violence, including rape, the Istanbul Convention states that immediate provision of comprehensive, survivor-centred responses through quality essential health, social and justice services and supplies is ensured. Protection from violence and abuse is the right of every child, as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Kosovo Law on Child Protection implementing the CRC in Kosovo.
The SGG commits to join efforts in fulfilling the rights of survivors of sexual violence and calls upon competent institutions to guarantee those rights by providing specialized training for all stakeholders involved in offering the support to which survivors are legally entitled, and by establishing specialized government-funded shelters for sexual violence survivors, and in the case of children, specialized centres for child survivors, as established in the Law on Child Protection, considering the specific needs and vulnerabilities of children. The group is lobbying to strengthen the preventive role of the Kosovo police through community policing and regular patrolling around the neighbourhoods, childcare facilities, schools and other public places.
Providing adequate and rehabilitative services is not only a sexual violence survivor’s right, but also a prerequisite for feeling safe and empowered, for ending impunity for perpetrators and for closing the serious gap in underreporting. The SGG calls various stakeholders, educational institutions, communities, the media, police, civil society organizations and other institutional partners to join efforts to prevent sexual violence.
The SGG strongly condemns any act of violence against women and girls and remains committed to amplify and unite our voices and efforts to end this suffering and injustice in our society.
International organizations and Embassies: UN Development Coordinator in Kosovo a.i. on behalf of the UN Kosovo Team , OSCE Mission in Kosovo , EULEX Kosovo (Official) , Embassy of Japan in Kosovo , Suomen suurlähetystö Pristina - Embassy of Finland in Pristina , UNMIK - United Nations Mission in Kosovo , European Union in Kosovo.
Women’s organizations and NGOs: Kosovo Gender Studies Center (Qendra Kosovare për Studime Gjinore), SIT - Center for Counseling, Social Services and Research , Youth Initiative for Human Rights - Kosovo (YIHR KS), Inject - Initiative for Justice and Equality , Kosova - Women 4 Women , Network of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Women's Organizations of Kosovo, Jahjaga Foundation .
Kosovo institutions: Agency for Gender Equality (Agjencia për Barazi Gjinore/ Zyra e Kryeministrit)
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Press Release
12 August 2022
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- MESSAGE ON WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY
There is a saying: “It takes a village to raise a child.”
It also takes a village to support people living through a humanitarian crisis.
This village includes affected people who are always first to respond when disasters strike — neighbours helping neighbours.
It includes a global community pulling together to support them as they recover and rebuild.
And it includes hundreds of thousands of individual humanitarians — volunteers and professionals alike.
Delivering health care and education.
Food and water.
Shelter and protection.
Help and hope.
Far from the spotlight and out of the headlines, humanitarians work around the clock to make our world a better place.
Against incredible odds, often at great personal risk, they ease suffering in some of the most dangerous circumstances imaginable.
Today, the number of people who need humanitarian assistance has never been higher, because of conflicts, climate change, COVID-19, poverty, hunger and unprecedented levels of displacement.
On this year’s World Humanitarian Day, we celebrate humanitarians everywhere.
We salute their dedication and courage, and pay tribute to those who lost their lives in pursuit of this noble cause.
They represent the best of humanity.
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Latest Resources
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Resources
17 June 2022
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