31/01/2023
Today, on January 31, 2023, Kosovo Center for Security Studies has organized the conference for the presentation of the "Report on the Baseline Assessment of Gender-Based Violence in Kosovo: Perceptions of the Community and Stakeholders", in which the report findings were discussed. The report presented at the conference is divided into four parts: Data and reporting trends on gender-based violence, The process of handling cases of gender-based violence: challenges and limitations, Perceptions on the factors that influence gender-based violence in Kosovo and Prospects for rehabilitation and reintegration for survivors of gender-based violence.
Reported cases of domestic violence are on the rise, however, lack of information on reporting cases, social stigma, lack of trust in institutions, lack of alternatives, and breach of confidentiality make this process more difficult. In addition, traditional norms and efforts at family mediation discourage the reporting of recidivist cases. Bureaucracy and lengthy legal procedures also contribute to non-reporting of cases.
Reintegration of survivors of gender-based violence is one of the main challenges facing frontline institutions. Economic independence of survivors, regular reintegration procedures and day care services for children would greatly help in efficient resolution of cases of gender-based violence.
After the presentation of the data, the conference was followed by a panel discussion on the findings of the report in which the participants were:
· Nazlie Bala – Political Advisor in the Ministry of Justice
· Afërdita Mikullovci- Colonel in the South Mitrovica region, Kosovo Police
· Erblina Dinarama- Director at the Safe House, Gjakovë
· Luljeta Demolli - Executive Director of the Kosovo Center for Gender Studies
· Leonida Molliqaj - Executive Director at the Center for Information, Criticism and Action
In the framework of the panel discussions, the panelists from public institutions that address gender-based violence expressed that they are doing a good job in handling these cases and that the cases are treated with priority by. On the other hand, the need for data protection and the protection of witnesses in cases of gender-based violence was emphasized. Everyone agreed that gender-based violence is unfortunately a phenomenon that deeply affects the population in Kosovo. At the end, it was discussed about the involvement of civil society in the drafting of draft laws that affect this topic and participation in completing/amending the Criminal Code.
The full report with the findings has been published on the QKSS website and is accessible at this link (in Albanian and English):
https://stagingerris.com/al/publikimet/raporti-per-vleresimin-baze-te-dhunes-ne-baza-gjinore-ne-kosove-perceptimet-e-komunitetit-dhe-paleve-te-interesit
This activity is organized within the project "Women, Peace and Security", which is supported by the program of the Kosovo Foundation for Civil Society (KCSF) 'EJA Kosovo', co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Sweden and the Dukat Government of Luxembourg.
