Locations
UNDP AND UN WOMEN RAISING AWARENESS THROUGH FOOTBALL
On 20th November 2018 UNDP, UN Women, and the Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK) launched the 16 Days mof activism against gender-based violence campaign by jointly organizing an event during the UEFA Nations League match between Kosovo and Azerbaijan.
Before the start of the match, the video-screen showed the campaign video prepared by UNDP and UN Women, showcasing public figures including Ms. Ulrika Richardson, UNDP Resident Representative, calling for an end to violence, and the match announcer urging fans to take a stand against violence targeting women and girls. During the match, other 16 Days advertising materials were displayed, including the helpline where victims can report cases of violence.
There were about 13,000 fans in the stadium following the match while many more watched via TV as this match ensured promotion to League C if Kosovo won and also secured them a play-off berth for the UEFA EURO2020 competition.
UNDP KOSOVO ON OXYGEN SHOW
UNDP continued the promotion of the 16 days campaign with a presence on the most watched local television station, Klan Kosova, on the Oxygen Show program. Appearing on the show were, Brikena Hinterberger, UNDP Gender Program Associate, Luanda Domi, Kosovo Safety and Security Project Associate, and Sihana Bina, United Nations Youth Volunteer. The guests spoke about the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence and how the Kosovo Safety and Security Program is combatting cyber-crime within Kosovo. Promotional materials were shared with the moderator, the main guest and high school students who had travelled from around Kosovo to attend the show. The main guest of the program, Ms. Rovena Dilo – a famous Albanian singer – spoke about her personal experiences and related it to the #HearMeToo call.
RAISING AWARENESS ON RADIO PRISHTINA
Brikena Hinterberger, UNDP Gender Program Associate, was invited to Radio Prishtina to talkabout the ongoing campaign and the activities that UNDP had undertaken so far. Ms. Hinterberger, among others, also spoke about gender-based violence as a ‘mark of shame’ on society which continues due to the low level of education and the socio-economic situation of victims. Ms. Hinterberger made a call for victims and all witnesses of violence to report cases through anonymous calls to the helpline.
16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM ON RTK2
Gender-based violence is not an issue that is specific to one ethnic group, religious group or age group. Gender-based violence is a societal issue and must be treated as a public issue. Allowing violence against women and girls to remain a private matter ensure its continuation. As such, Alessandra Roccasalvo, UNDP Kosovo Deputy Resident-Representative, appeared on the national Serbian language television network – RTK2, to discuss the campaign, how UNDP is working to prevent gender-based violence, our overall approach to gender-based violence, and how we are working with local and international partners.
UNDP KOSOVO ON KLAN KOSOVA
mBrikena Hinterbeger, UNDP Gender Program Associate, and Luanda Domi, Kosovo Security and Safety Project Associate, appeared on the weekend program ‘Familja Ime’ (My Family) on local television network, Klan Kosova. They spoke about the campaign and its main aim in increasing awareness amongst the population on how to prevent cases of gender-based violence from occurring and how to report these cases through an anonymous helpline. Luanda Domi also spoke about the Combating Cyber Crime in Kosovo project and its impact on society.
UNDP KOSOVO ON RADIO KOSOVA
Burbuqe Dobranja, UNDP Communications Associate, was invited to a live radio show on RadioKosova. Ms. Dobranja spoke about the 16 Days of Activism and UNDP activities during the campaign. She also called for an increased awareness against violence against women by encouraging women and girls to report cases of violence to relevant authorities.
16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM GOES REGIONAL
UNDP Kosovo also took the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign to municipalities around Kosovo, which are partners of the InterDev project. The aim was to engage local structures and people and bring the campaign to them, to raise awareness about gender-based violence, how to prevent it, and who to report it to. These open discussion forums were organised in Dragash/Dragaš, Viti/Vitina, and Shtërpcë/Štrpce. Together with Mayors, Deputy Mayors, local Police Commanders and Directors of Municipal Directorates, Municipal Assembly members, Civil Society organisations and the media, their presence elevated these event’s visibility and added to their importance. The efforts of Mayors and regional Police Commanders in supporting the 16 Days campaign and the fight against gender-based violence, showed that decision-makers and law enforcement are aware of the issue. They also called for victims to report their cases to the police. The activity in Shtërpcë/Štrpce was transmitted on the local television station, TV Herz.
FREE LEGAL AID
A lack of self-confidence, economic independence and geographical obstacles, can lead to a lack of information about an individual’s rights when it comes to gender-based violence. With the support of UNDP Kosovo, two NGOs (CLARD and NORMA) and the Domestic Violence unit of the Kosovo Police, provided free legal aid to interested people. The pop-up information desk located in the city-centre of Prishtinë/Priština ran for three days. This activity was publicised on local television networks and social media, attracting many interested people. Additionally, Virgjina Dumnica, UNDP Legal Advisor, was invited to the television network, Tribune Channel, for an interview regarding the campaign and the activities run by UNDP.
OUTREACH WITH UBT COLLEGE STUDENTS
UNDP with its NGO partner CLARD, and in cooperation with the Kosovo Police, were present in UBT College to meet with students from the Faculty of Law. The activity was centred around an open discussion on the 16 Days campaign, and on the free legal aid provided to vulnerable individuals and victims of gender-based violence. The unit for domestic violence also spoke about the reporting procedures for domestic violence and raised awareness of the anonymous reporting helpline.
OUTREACH WITH AAB COLLEGE STUDENTS
UNDP in cooperation with Kosovo Police and the NGO ‘Femrat Aktive te Gjakoves’ (Active Women from Gjakova) held an event at AAB College for students of the Faculty of Law. An open discussion was conducted where ‘Femrat Aktive te Gjakoves’ shared information on the 16 Days of Activism campaign, its importance and its aims. Additionally, free legal provided by the NGO was shared with the students. This activity was realised through the UNDP Rule of Law project.
BROADCASTING OUR MESSAGE TO THE MASSES
During three days of the campaign, a video screen was placed in the centre of Prishtinë/Priština. A pre-recorded video from the Access to Justice project was played. The video contained messages against gender-based violence and raised awareness surrounding access to justice for victims. This activity was organised in closer cooperation with the Municipality of Prishtinë/Priština.
POLICE RAISE AWARENESS
UNDP Kosovo Safety and Security Project (KSSP) held an outreach activity with the Kosovo Police as a part of the 16 Days of Acivism against gender-based violence. The police used this opportunity to discuss with women and men about the aims of the campaign and the role that we can play in preventing and reporting incidences of domestic violence. Police invited members of the public join the campaign and help raise awareness using the #HearMeToo call.
ENGAGING WITH ROMA, ASHKALI and EGYPTIAN COMMUNITIES
With support from the Kosovo Police and the UNDP Kosovo Safety and Security Project (KSSP) an activity was held in Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje. The activity was directed towards members of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities. With more than 40 participants, the group discussed safety concerns and possible solutions to ending gender-based violence against women and girls. The Kosovo Police addressed increasing awareness of domestic violence as well as how to report these cases to the police. Poverty, unemployment, domestic violence, early marriages and poor societal integration are key concerns that must be addressed. Many members of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities live in extreme poverty and women and girls need support from society at large to empower them and to allow them to reach their full potential.
JOINT VIDEO BY KFOR AND UNDP KOSOVO
UNDP Kosovo and KFOR produced and released a joint video statement marking the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence. The video contained appearances from high-ranking members from both organisations such as, Brigadier General, Reinhard Ruckenstuhl, Deputy Commander of KFOR, Lt-Colonel, Suzana Tkavc, Gender Advisor to KFOR Commander, and, Alessandra Roccasalvo, UNDP Kosovo Deputy Resident Representative. The video was shared on each organisation’s social media platforms.
REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
A regional conference on ‘Access to Justice for Victims of Domestic and Gender-based Violence’ was organised by the Office of the Coordinating against Domestic Violence/Deputy Minister of Justice and was supported by UNDP Kosovo. The conference was held from the 10th – 11th December and marked by the Human Rights Day and the official close of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence campaign. The conference brought together government institutions, ministries, international organisations, embassies and civil society organisations. The conference discussed issues surrounding gender-based violence and how to improve access to justice for victims.
