Pristina, November 25, 2024
The global campaign “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” has started today. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, at the opening of the campaign, called for awareness, for justice and equality, to protect human dignity, for a society where every woman and girl has the right to live freely and to dream without fear.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Kurti stated that during these 16 days we honor the victims, support the survivors, speak out loudly, and act together.
As a government, we act daily. We are enforcing the laws. We are increasing support for shelters. “We are empowering women economically,” he said, adding that in support of victims of gender-based violence, we have allocated three million euros in financial support for shelters and licensed organizations in the field of social and family services during 2023 and 2024, we are offering free legal aid for victims of domestic and gender-based violence, regardless of socio-economic status, and to ease the financial burden of dealing with the consequences of violence, we have approved the Law on Crime Victim Compensation.
As part of the support, the prime minister mentioned the implementation of the employment measure for women who are victims of violence. Through this measure, the government subsidizes 70% of the employees’ salaries for six consecutive months. Then the launch of the psycho-social program for the treatment of domestic violence perpetrators and we are implementing the National Strategy for Protection from Domestic Violence and Violence against Women, whereby 87% of the activities have been fully implemented or are in the process of being implemented.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Kurti emphasized that we are aware that gender-based violence is a global phenomenon, a product of the patriarchal system of societal functioning and neoliberal capitalism, and unfortunately, a phenomenon to which even advanced Western societies are not immune.
However, although our activism to combat this violence is focused at the local level, he emphasized that this problem transcends our borders.
“The revived discourses of far-right movements that advocate a return to traditional ways of living have no vision other than reclaiming control over women’s bodies”. Gender-based violence is merely an extension of this archaic mindset that cannot tolerate a society functioning on principles of equality. Therefore, women’s personal rights are also political – the right to freedom to live life and have well-being without the dictates of the hegemony of patriarchal societies and economic exploitation”, said Prime Minister Kurti.
He stated, “in combating violence, we dedicate ourselves to freedom”. By empowering women, we strengthen society, advance equality and development in our state” and the battle is not only for women, but for men and women together, because a society free from violence is a stronger, fairer, and more humane society
Meanwhile, the Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, stated that “16 Days of Activism” are not merely a symbolic period, but a call for continuous and unwavering action; a call to break the silence that often shrouds violence and to foster a culture where violence is not tolerated but severely condemned. Through this campaign, she further stated, we send a clear message: violence is not a private matter, but a social problem that requires a solution and collective commitment.
We know that violence knows no social or economic boundaries; it affects every layer of society and harms not only individuals but also future generations. For this reason, this campaign is a call for awareness, to dismantle the norms and stereotypes that allow violence to survive. “If we want an equal and just society, we must stop tolerating any form of violence and discrimination,” stated Minister Haxhiu.
The global campaign “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” is being organized for the third consecutive year by the Ministry of Justice.
Prime Minister Kurti’s full speech:
Honorable Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga, former president of the Republic of Kosovo,
Honorable Vice President of the Assembly of the Republic, Ms. Saranda Bogujevci,
Honorable Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Besnik Bislimi,
Honorable Ms. Arnhild Spence, United Nations Development Coordinator in Kosovo,
Honorable Minister of Justice, Ms. Albulena Haxhiu,
Honorable Deputy Ministers,
Honorable Ms. Ariana Qosaj, from the Kosovo Women’s Network,
Honorable Ms. Vilma Dule, we are very grateful for your presence here tonight,
Excellencies, ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions in Kosovo,
Honorable members of the Assembly of the Republic,
Honorable colleagues from the government cabinet,
Leaders and representatives of local and international organizations,
Activists of civil society,
Honorable attendees,
Ladies and gentlemen,
We are here for an important reason and a just mission. Together we stand against violence towards women and girls.
We are starting the 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender-based violence, with a collective call for awareness, justice, and equality. To protect human dignity. For a society where every woman and girl has the right to live free and to dream without fear.
In these 16 days, we honor the victims. We support survivors. We speak loudly and act together. As a government, we act daily. We are enforcing the laws. We are increasing support for shelters. We are empowering women economically.
In support of victims of gender-based violence, we have already allocated three million euros in financial support for shelters and licensed organizations in the field of social and family services during the years 2023 and 2024;
-We offer free legal assistance to victims of domestic and gender-based violence, regardless of their socio-economic status;
-To financially ease the burden of dealing with the consequences of violence, we have enacted the Law on Crime Victim Compensation;
-We are implementing employment measures for women who are victims of violence. Through this measure, the government subsidizes 70% of the salaries of employed women for six consecutive months;
-The psycho-social program for the treatment of domestic violence perpetrators has been launched;
Together, we are implementing the National Strategy for Protection from Domestic Violence and Violence against Women, with 87% of activities either fully implemented or in progress.
Honorable attendees, both ladies and gentlemen,
We are aware that gender-based violence is a global phenomenon, a product of the patriarchal system of societal functioning and neoliberal capitalism, and unfortunately, it is a phenomenon to which even advanced Western societies are not immune. Our activism to combat this violence is focused at the local level, but we know that this problem transcends our borders. The revived discourses of far-right movements that advocate a return to traditional ways of living have no other vision besides reclaiming control over women’s bodies. Gender-based violence is merely an extension of this archaic mindset that cannot tolerate a society functioning on principles of equality. In essence, politics is also personal for women – it is the right to freedom to live life and to have well-being without the dictates of patriarchal societal hegemony and economic exploitation.
Therefore, by combating violence, we commit to freedom. By empowering women, we strengthen society. We advance equality and development in our country.
This is our battle. Not just women’s. But of men and women together. Because a society free from violence is a stronger society. More just. More humane.
Men and boys should be allies. Our institutions must be accountable. Brave society. Together, let’s be a shield against violence. Let’s not allow fear to dominate anyone’s life. Let’s not remain silent in the face of injustices. Let’s not justify violence. Since violence cannot be justified. Violence is not a tradition. Violence is not the answer.
The pain of the victims should not be personal or individual, but collective and communal. Only the perpetrators should be ashamed and punished.
In solidarity and with hope, let us make the activism of this 16-day period a daily practice, aiming for permanent change.
Thank you.
Last modified: November 29, 2024