Outcome KOS_D_1.4

All women and men in Kosovo, particularly young people, vulnerable groups, and displaced persons, increasingly achieve gender equality and claim their rights and fulfil civic responsibilities (UNSDCF Outcome 5)

During 2024 Kosovo continued to mark progress against the Outcome as following: Supporting GBV Survivors and Legal Frameworks Legislative and Administrative Reforms : There was progress was made in aligning Kosovo’s legal frameworks with international standards, including Istanbul Convention through the initiation of five key administrative guidelines under the new Law on Prevention and Protection from Domestic Violence, Violence Against Women and Gender-based Violence as following: - Guideline for Municipal Coordinating Mechanisms which aims to establishes a structured approach to local-level coordination - Guideline for the National Emergency Support Line aiming to lay the foundation for a reliable and accessible response system - Guideline for the Office of the National Coordinator for Domestic Violence Prevention - The Draft Administrative Guideline on the Determination of Procedures for Providing Services from the Emergency Fund to address the needs of victims during their stay in police custody. - The Draft Administrative Guideline on the Use of the Electronic System for Information Management and Issuance of Public Reports. Enhanced Services for Survivors : Continued support was provided to the Kosovo Government Commission for the recognition of CRSV survivors, resulting in 175 new applications for reparations and bringing the total to 1,704 survivors granted status since 2018. Psychosocial, legal, and vocational support was delivered to GBV survivors through shelters: in Gjakova, 32 survivors received psychosocial and legal assistance, with 12 also benefiting from vocational training; in Gjilan, 39 psychosocial counseling sessions were held for 12 beneficiaries, addressing empowerment, self-confidence, and trauma coping strategies. Additionally, 32 GBV survivors from Dragash and Gjakova participated in sessions on legal rights and available support services, while a needs assessment in Gjakova and Dragash identified survivors' challenges and priorities to tailor interventions effectively. A public building in North Mitrovica was designated as a shelter for domestic violence survivors, representing a significant step in expanding protective services in underserved areas. This achievement was facilitated by a Memorandum of Understanding between the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Mayor of North Mitrovica, and the Minister of Justice, demonstrating a strong commitment to inter-institutional collaboration in addressing domestic and gender-based violence. The establishment of this shelter ensures that survivors in a previously underserved area will have access to safe and secure accommodations, alongside essential support services, addressing a critical gap in protective infrastructure supported by a Memorandum of Understanding between the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Mayor of North Mitrovica, and the Minister of Justice. This marks a significant step in expanding protective services in underserved areas. Enhanced Domestic Violence Database : Kosovo’s National Domestic Violence Database was upgraded to improve scalability, security, and interoperability. These improvements enable policymakers to make informed decisions based on reliable and comprehensive data, addressing gaps in response mechanisms and prevention strategies. Key institutions, including police, social services, and shelters, received training on data entry and system functionality, ensuring consistent and reliable reporting across sectors. By strengthening data systems and building institutional capacity, this initiative contributes to a more coordinated and effective response to domestic and gender based-violence. Engagement with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) : Engagement with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), particularly through partnerships with local women’s rights organizations (WROs), has enabled direct delivery of critical psycho-social and vocational support for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) in four targeted municipalities. These efforts empower survivors by addressing their immediate needs and equipping them with skills to achieve economic independence, enabling their reintegration into society. At the same time, strengthening the capacity and role of WROs enhances their ability to advocate for gender equality and drive sustainable change within local governance. Survey on the needs of 450 rural women in Istog, Mitrovica South, and Skenderaj provided data-driven insights into the barriers these women face, including limited access to resources, education, and legal rights. These findings informed targeted interventions, such as financial literacy training for 50 women in Istog, which equipped participants with practical skills to access financial resources and navigate legal frameworks. The involvement of municipal stakeholders and gender equality officers further strengthened local governance capacities to support women’s empowerment initiatives. Data-Driven Interventions and Capacity Building : Surveying the needs of 450 rural women in Istog, Mitrovica South, and Skenderaj provided data-driven insights into the barriers these women face, including limited access to resources, education, and legal rights. Targeted interventions informed by these findings, such as financial literacy training for 50 women in Istog , equipped participants with practical skills to access financial resources and navigate legal frameworks. Over 190 municipal employees and service providers are able to implement the new standard response mechanism on GBV best practices and integrate the relevant soft digital tools thanks to trainings provided on novelties from the new Law on Prevention and Protection from Domestic Violence, Violence Against Women and Gender-based Violence Public Awareness- 16 days of activism against domestic and gender -based violence : Awareness campaigns targeting marginalized groups, including survivors of domestic gender-based violence (GBV), increased public understanding of legal frameworks and tools. These campaigns, implemented through diverse initiatives utilized digital platforms and community outreach programs to ensure widespread engagement as following: In collaboration with the University of Prishtina and UBT (a Women’s Empowerment Principles [WEPs] signatory), a TEDx event engaged around 100 students, showcasing key findings from UN Women's regional report The Dark Side of Digitalization , which highlights the growing threat of technology-facilitated violence against women. To inspire resilience and challenge societal norms, the documentary Ajo’Mal , show-cased the journey of 20 young women overcoming physical and social barriers through mountaineering under the leadership of renowned climber Uta Ibrahimi. Engaging young changemakers, UN Women partnered with high schools across Kosovo to empower students to recognize and address abuse, amplifying their voices as advocates for change. During the 16 Days of Activism campaign, partnerships with entities such as KEDS/KESCO, Kosovo’s first WEPs signatory, included knowledge exchange visits to Istanbul with WEPs signatories from Kosovo and Türkiye, fostering cross-regional dialogue on women’s empowerment. Awareness was raised within Kosovo’s Parliament as members donned orange symbols, demonstrating solidarity and commitment to ending GBV. UN Women contributed to these achievements through technical and advocacy assistance. The progress emphasizes Kosovo's dedication to integrating gender equality and addressing gender-based violence through robust legislative and administrative reforms, enhanced survivor services, and innovative awareness campaigns. Ultimately, women will benefit from improved access to justice, expanded protective services, and greater economic opportunities, while men will gain from more transparent and collaborative systems that support shared responsibilities in preventing domestic and gender based violence.