Official Launch of the Campaign

On the 22^th November 2024, the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) joined the 16 Days of Activism Campaign against Violence against Women with a teaser video, showcasing members of the Mission and of its implementing partner Assist Kosovo getting ready to raise awareness about all forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and to add their voices to the campaign under the “Tightening the Knot” initiative.

On the 25^th November 2024, the Deputy Head of Mission of EULEX, Emily Rakhorst, joined the EU family in Kosovo in support of the digital campaign calling to break the silence and end gender-based violence.

In the morning, the EULEX Gender Advisor, Chiara Tagliani, took part in the discussion “Breaking the silence: empowering voices from Italy and Kosovo against violence towards women” organized by the Embassy of Italy in Kosovo with the participation of former Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga, of Kosovo Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, and of the Italian Ambassador, Antonello De Riu.

In the evening of the 25^th of November, the Head of Mission of EULEX, Giovanni Pietro Barbano, participated, alongside institutions, international community and civil society in the official launch of the campaign in Kosovo hosted by the Minister of Justice.

Radio Advocacy Message

In support of the campaign, the Head of Mission recorded a powerful audio message for Radio KFOR’s activities during the 16 Days of Activism: “Femicide is a brutal and horrific crime; one that silences lives, voices, dreams and futures. It is rooted in deep gender inequality and cultural norms that accept violence. As EULEX Mission, we are committed to supporting Kosovo’s institutions in preventing femicide, ensuring justice, and ending violence against women. Join us in this vital fight. Together, we can make a difference! “

The radio message was aired in both Albanian and Serbian and shared across EULEX social media channels.

Adding our voice to the Municipality of Lipjan/Lipljan

On 26^th of November, the Municipality of Lipjan/Lipljan launched a video as part of its awareness-raising campaign against gender-based violence. The video featured municipal representatives, NGOs, Kosovo Police, and other institutions, all calling for joint efforts to end gender-based violence. The EULEX Gender Advisor, Chiara Tagliani joined the video, reiterating EULEX’s strong and steadfast commitment to supporting Kosovo’s institutions in the fight to end all forms of violence.

Utilising Public Transport to raise awareness

On the 2 nd of November, to further expand the campaign’s reach, the Head of EULEX and the Minister of Justice inaugurated a public transport bus of the Line 4 in Pristina, dressed with a call for survivors of gender-based violence, as well as all citizens, to report GBV and domestic violence to the police calling number 192.

Discussion Forum: “Online Misogyny and Digital Violence against Women and Girls”

In cooperation with the European Union in Kosovo and the NGO Assist Kosovo, on the 3 rd of December, EULEX brought together at the Europe House the Ministry of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, the EU Ambassador in Kosovo, Aivo Orav, as well as representatives from the international community and civil society to discuss how to tackle the disturbingly increasing issue of online misogyny and digital violence.

The forum was opened by the EULEX Head of Mission, Giovanni Pietro Barbano, who stated, "While joining forces to empower women and girls with the knowledge to protect themselves online, we must also focus our efforts on fostering a culture of respect, free from gender-based violence in both digital and physical spaces, while ensuring the accountability of perpetrators.” He also reiterated the Mission’s unwavering commitment to working alongside Kosovo’s institutions and society to strengthen prevention, protection, and prosecution in cases of gender- based violence.

The discussion was enriched by a presentation from the expert and Kosovo representative of Women in Tech, Teuta Sahatqja on “Artificial Intelligence and its bias against women and girls,” and it saw the participation of Visare Berisha, Executive Director of Assist Kosovo, Fadil Abdyli, Head of the Cybercrime Investigation Sector of the Kosovo Police, journalist Florent Zeqaj, and Lumnije Demi, General Director of the Information and Privacy agency.

High-level Roundtable Discussion: "The Fight Against Violence Against Women and Girls - Policy and Advocacy, Implementation, and the Way Forward"

On the 4^th of December, a high-level roundtable discussion was organized with Assist Kosovo, focusing on policy and advocacy, implementation, and the way forward in the fight against violence against women and girls.

The event, which was open to the media it brought together the Minister of Justice, representatives of Kosovo Police, prosecution, the judiciary, including the Constitutional Court, victim advocacy and assistance offices, shelters, and civil society.

During the discussion, hosted by the Deputy Head of Mission, Emily Rakhorst and opened by the Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, the Director of the Kosovo Police Division on Public Safety, Lieutenant Colonel Arbnesh Ajvazi, and by Jurisconsult at the Kosovo Constitutional Court Suzana Krasniqi, participants emphasized the current state of policy and legislative frameworks, the importance of ongoing awareness-raising initiatives, and the steps necessary to eradicate violence against women and girls.

In her keynote speech, the EULEX Deputy Head of Mission recalled that survivors require holistic support from the moment they are first abused to the time they achieve safety. “They deserve a system that brings them justice, dignity and a future free from violence,” Rakhorst stressed.

Discussion Forum: Violence Against Women in Politics and Decision-Making

Finally, on the 9^th December, the Mission organized, in cooperation with the EU in Kosovo and Assist Kosovo, a forum held at the Europe House to discuss the negative impact of violence against women in politics and decision-making, leading to the underrepresentation of women’s voices.

The event hosted a presentation from the journalist Ardiana Thaqi , and a discussion with Jelena Bulatovic, Executive Director, Minority Community Center, Shqipe Krasniqi, Senior officer at Assembly of Kosovo, Florent Zeqaj, Journalist and political.

In her opening remarks, the Deputy Head of Mission, Emily Rakhorst pointed out that: “Women’s involvement in decision-making is not just a matter of equality - it is imperative to achieving effective governance and sustainable peace,” emphasizing the need for stronger legal frameworks, better support mechanisms, and a comprehensive approach to addressing violence against women in leadership positions, ensuring women can participate in politics free from fear and violence.

All activities were part of EULEX's steadfast support to Kosovo institutions in this vital fight, in particular through its contribution to the alignment of Kosovo’s justice system with Istanbul Convention’s requirements.