UN Women Teams Up with Embassy of Italy to Kosovo and Ministry of Justice to Address the Needs of Survivors of Domestic and Gender-Based Violence

In line with the G20 Agenda for 2021 and following up on the G20 EMPOWER second plenary session which took place in May 2021, both chaired by Italy, UN Women in Kosovo, the Embassy of Italy in Prishtina and the Ministry of Justice organized a joint event titled aiming to address the needs of survivors of Domestic and Gender-Based violence in all COVID-19 economic recovery plans.

 Even prior to the COVID-19 global crisis, women from vulnerable groups in Kosovo were already in a disadvantaged position. Globally pandemic has highlighted the need to examine the impact of the crisis through a gender lens. Considering this, the event organized by UN Women, Embassy of Italy to Kosovo and the Ministry of Justice aimed to ensure that women are set at the heart of recovery decisions and processes that ensure their rights, meet their needs, and recognize their contributions, especially those of the survivors. Highlighting the urgent need for survivor’s economic empowerment the event also brought together representatives of the eight licensed shelters in Kosovo to showcase products made by the survivors, including a story behind each product.

The event brought together Ambassadors in Kosovo, Representatives of Kosovo Institutions, the Deputy Minister of Justice/National Coordinator against Domestic Violence, and representatives of international organizations, to share experiences and recommendations on adopting a gender lens in economic recovery efforts for Kosovo, which would respond to the needs of survivors of domestic and gender-based violence.

In her opening remarks, Vlora Tuzi Nushi, UN Women Head of Office stated that “This shadow pandemic, violence against women and girls is preventable. It requires joint efforts by all actors, resources, and developing survivor-centered policies and practices. Through ‘Generation Equality’,

Speaking at the event, Nicola Orlando, Ambassador of Italy to Kosovo stated that “COVID-19 offers us a generational opportunity to be a more inclusive society where women and girls enjoy their human rights free of violence and discrimination. In this spirit the Italian presidency of G20 has put women’s economic and productive lives as well as their social rights by promoting awareness of the need for immediate measures as well long-term plan for economic recovery and resilience. This event is an important catalyst to focus on the G20 agenda and its implementation in Kosovo.”

Ulrika Richardson, UN Development Coordinator emphasized “We are at a defining moment for women and girls. The pandemic stopped the clocks of social change: now we must accelerate! Targeted COVID-19 response and recovery plans must take account of the needs of women and girls, especially those of survivors of domestic and gender-based violence”

Opening remarks were also held by  Nita Shala Deputy Minister of Justice, who highlighted that “the Kosovo Government is committed to fight against domestic violence, therefore should be given the priority to the creation of legal infrastructure and a stable and predictable financing model should be established for safe houses.”

After the opening remarks a discussion was held  highlighting the need to avoid a deepening of gender and other inequalities, by placing women’s economic and productive lives, as well as their economic and social rights, front and center within immediate measures as well as long-term plans for economic recovery and resilience, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.