Oranging the World

On 24 November, under the theme “UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls,” the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) started marking the 16 Days Campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) by turning the EULEX Headquarters orange as a symbol of solidarity and support to the fight against GBV.

Official Launch of 16 Days Campaign in Kosovo

On 25 November, the EULEX’s Head of Mission, Giovanni Pietro Barbano, attended the official launch of the campaign in Kosovo, organized and hosted by the Kosovo Ministry of Justice, showing the full commitment of the Mission to supporting Kosovo institutions in the fight against this gruesome phenomenon.

Roundtable Discussion: Treatment of Sexual Violence Cases: Focus on Psychological Wellbeing of Victims

The Mission’s engagement continued with the high-level roundtable discussion “Treatment of Sexual Violence Cases: Focus on Psychological Wellbeing of Victims”, organized on 4 December by EULEX and the Kosovo Institute of Forensic Medicine.

Discussions centered around the need to establish a fully functional Sexual Violence Referral Centre, where victims could receive long-term support through specialized services.

Opening the event, the EULEX Head of Mission, Giovanni Pietro Barbano, recalled how: “Sexual violence leaves a profound and lasting impact on victims and their families. Not only physically, but also, perhaps less evidently, emotionally and psychologically,” strongly reaffirming “EULEX’s commitment to supporting and standing united with all of you in the ongoing efforts to eradicate sexual violence and all other forms of gender-based violence.”

The Kosovo Deputy Minister of Justice, Blerim Sallahu, emphasized how the elimination of such a violence is a battle that we all need to fight.
“We need maximum efforts by all institutions and each and every one of us to push forward our commitments for eradicating gender-based violence. The law enforcement authorities, the investigation bodies, the prosecution offices and the courts must bring the suspects to justice swiftly. Violence against women and girls is a matter of public and social safety and wellbeing, not a domestic or private matter,” said Sallahu.

Kosovo Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Arsim Berisha, continued the discussion underlining how: “The health policies of the Ministry of Health are largely focused on strengthening the primary healthcare level in implementing the family medicine concept. Since 80% of healthcare services are provided at the primary healthcare level, the abuse of physical or mental health can be prevented and timely detected at such level of healthcare service provision.”

The role of the Institute of Forensic Medicine in fighting this negative phenomenon is also crucial. The IFM Director of Forensic Laboratories Department, Agron Thaqi, highlighted that: “Despite the progress noted in minimizing gender-based violence, we have all witnessed – exactly during the ongoing 16 days of activism – the terrible incidents that, in a certain way, are calling upon all of us to tell us about the need for institutional responsiveness and support to victims of violence.”

The roundtable discussion continued with a presentation of Dr. Bergita Curri, IFM Forensic Medicine Specialist, about the physical and psychological damage of sexual violence. “There are many cases in the whole world with no, or very light, physical injuries. And the problem here is when such situations are later misunderstood at courts. To me it is very clear that justice needs evidence, but the harm that I believe remains unnoticed is the psychological or the emotional harm caused to the victim,” emphasized Curri.

The Clinical Psychologist at Medica Kosova, Prof. Assoc. Emirjeta Kumnova, elaborated on the complexity of the trauma experienced by victims of sexual violence, highlighting the victim needs in terms of psychological support.
“The trauma caused by sexual violence is one of the highest forms of trauma. It harms trust, it causes extreme helplessness to the victim and loss of trust in people and institutions. This is the reason why the consequences of this trauma are amongst the individual factors impeding the victim from seeking psychological help,” explained Kumnova.

At the end of an engaging and active exchange of views, participants agreed on the need to continuing fighting discrimination and stigmatization of victims of sexual violence, empowering and educating children through a multi-disciplinary approach involving schools, teachers, and families and strengthening coordinated efforts to prevent any form of sexual violence, including through the rehabilitation of offenders.

On 5 December, the EULEX Head of Mission participated in the Regional Conference “United Against Violence – ENOUGH!” organized by the Ministry of Justice. Gathering representatives from local institutions, civil society organizations and NGOs, as well as the media, the conference focused on the role of governments in addressing domestic and gender-based violence.

EULEX’s Powerful Message to End Violence against Women

The EULEX Head of Mission gave a powerful video message calling on everyone to be united to end violence against women.

“Only in the first six months of 2023, 1,272 cases of domestic violence were reported to the Kosovo Police, continuing an increasing trend over previous years in the number of reported cases. From January to September 2023 almost 80 cases were referred to the Institute of Forensic Medicine for examination of sexual violence offences, with the majority of victims being minor girls. Gender-based violence is a profound breach of human dignity, especially of women and girls, affecting lives of victims in a devastating way. EULEX has been in the frontline of the fight against gender-based violence since its deployment in 2008, and today, together with our international partners, I reiterate the Mission’s commitment to Kosovo institutions, to Kosovo civil society, to Kosovo women and girls, and to everybody, to stand together against any form of gender-based violence. End violence against women! United, we can.”

The video was realized thanks to the support of NATO KFOR.

Advocating for Gender Equality

Considering the need to raise awareness of gender-based violence and of the importance of gender equality, the Mission supported the organization of outreach and advocacy activities at grassroot level, in partnership with the NGO Assist Kosovo.

On 30 November, EULEX gender Advisor, Chiara Tagliani, joined the Deputy Mayor of Klinë/Klina Municipality, Marqe Tanushi-Selmanaj, the Gender Equality Officer, Vitore Shala, directors, teachers and students from “Fehmi Agani School” and “Atë Shtjefen Gjeqovi School,” in marching united against GBV.

The Mission supported the screening of the eye-opening documentary "Backlash: Misogyny in the Digital Age," followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion on investing in education, culture and sports to foster women’s economic empowerment, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and reporting cases of gender-based violence. The activities in Klinë/Klina included also a rugby demonstration for girls, aiming at advocating for sport as a tool for girl empowerment, and an exhibition of paintings made by pupils of “Atë Shtjefen Gjeqovi School,” portraying their unique views on GBV.

On 4 December, Tagliani was welcomed by the Deputy Mayor of the Gjilan/Gnjilane Municipality, Leonora Morina Bunjaku, the Gender Equality Officer, Lindita Salihu, and by the Director of CCNO - Center for cooperation and networking of organizations, Mediana Bislimi, to join discussions with representatives of centers for social welfare and youth organizations on online violence against women and girls, the importance of prevention and awareness raising as well as strengthening victim support services.