Prishtina, 7 December, 2023
As part of the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign, the Employment Measure for women victims of domestic violence was launched today by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, together with the Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu and the minister of Finance, Labor and Transfers, Hekuran Murati.
“Last year, within the framework of the “Government for Families” scheme, we made sure that every family in Kosovo has a base of income in order to increase social well-being. 2377 families who had no one employed benefited. We are adding a new feature to this scheme, which aims to employ survivors of domestic violence, and this comes alongside improving access to social services and increasing support for shelters for survivors of domestic violence.” said Prime Minister Kurti.
With this new measure, now all women who are victims of domestic violence can apply for registration at the Employment Office in their respective municipality, in which case they are mediated by registered businesses that offer vacant work positions. After the start of the work, the Ministry of Finance, Labor and Transfers will subsidize 70% of the salary of the employees for six months in a row.
“When women are able to provide for themselves financially, they have more opportunities to leave the violent relationship and start a new normal life”, said Prime Minister Kurti.
The prime minister concluded his speech by reinforcing the message that “Together we will continue the work to eliminate the social inequalities that hinder the economic independence of women and girls in our Republic.”
While the Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, emphasized that this activity that took place today is one of the most important which is related to the economic empowerment and employment of survivors of domestic violence, considering that their biggest challenge is the lack of of a place of work and housing.
On the other hand, the Minister of Finance, Labor and Transfers, Hekuran Murati, said that the advancement of women’s role in society and their economic independence are essential for a fairer and more advanced society, therefore from the beginning of the governing mandate we have taken steps that have given their contribution to advancement, which can also be proven in numbers.
The economic independence of women was strongly supported by the Government of the Republic of Kosovo with employment and self-employment, especially during the pandemic when cases of domestic violence took off. Wage subsidies for every female worker employed in businesses, investment loans for women entrepreneurs, the “Government for Families” scheme and now the Employment Measure for victims of domestic violence, are some of the packages of measures and policies aimed at financial independence and increasing social well-being.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Dear representatives of shelters for victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence,
Dear Ms. Albulena Haxhiu, Minister of Justice,
The honorable Mr. Hekuran Murati, Minister of Finance, Labor and Transfers,
Dear Ms. Dafina Gexha Bunjaku, Deputy Minister of Health,
The honorable Mr. Fejzullah Rexhepi, President of the Supreme Court,
The honorable Mr. Gazmend Hoxha, director of the Kosovo Police,
Dear attendees,
Ladies and gentleman,
Women’s economic independence is an important step towards individual development and freedom, as well as security and well-being.
For this, we have designed and implemented a package of measures and policies. At the time of the pandemic, when cases of domestic violence took off, the Government made sure that businesses subsidized the salary for every female worker employed. Meanwhile, we offered investment loans to women entrepreneurs, so that they can operate in the Kosovo market as easily as possible. We supported employment and self-employment in a time of isolation and uncertainty.
Last year, within the framework of the “Government for Families” scheme, we made sure that every family in Kosovo has a base of income in order to increase social well-being. 2377 families who had no one employed benefited.
We are adding a new feature to this scheme, which aims to employ survivors of domestic violence, and this comes alongside improving access to social services and increasing support for shelters for survivors of domestic violence.
From today, all women who were victims of domestic violence will be able to be beneficiaries of this scheme. What they have to do is go to the Employment Office in their respective municipality. After registration, employment counselors will ensure that they are placed in registered businesses, which offer job vacancies.
Once this mediation is done and the work begins, the Ministry of Finance, Labor and Transfers will subsidize 70% of the salary of the employees for six months in a row.
By giving them the opportunity to work and a source of income, they are given a new chance to regain control of their lives. When women are able to provide for themselves financially, they are more likely to leave the abusive relationship and start a new normal life.
Dear attendees,
I thank you for the joint commitment. As here today, together we will continue the work to eliminate the social inequalities that hinder the economic independence of women and girls in our Republic. To advance equality in society and development in our country.
Last modified: December 8, 2023