Pristina, Kosovo – In a powerful address to mark the ongoing global campaign against gender-based violence, Glauk Konjufca, President of the Assembly of Kosovo, emphasized the need for a unified approach to tackle gender-based violence and domestic abuse. Konjufca was speaking at the conference titled “United Against Violence – Enough!” organized by the Ministry of Justice and the National Coordinator Against Domestic Violence and Gender-Based Violence, as part of the global “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign.
Kosovo’s Fight Against Gender-Based Violence: Konjufca highlighted the importance of solidarity and daily commitment in the battle against domestic violence and gender-based violence. Despite significant progress in improving the legal framework and raising awareness, the problem remains a major issue, with much work still needed.
In his speech, Konjufca stressed that Kosovo’s legislative advancements, particularly the enactment of the Law on Prevention and Protection from Domestic Violence and Gender-Based Violence, have created stronger mechanisms for victim protection. This law, aligned with the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention), recognizes different types of abuse, including physical, sexual, psychological, and economic violence, as well as violence against women in politics and online harassment.
A Holistic Approach Needed: Konjufca acknowledged that, despite legal measures and ongoing awareness campaigns, gender-based violence cases have not significantly declined. He called for a more comprehensive approach that tackles both the root causes and the wider societal factors contributing to this persistent issue.
“We need to focus on early education that promotes values of equality and respect,” Konjufca said. He emphasized that addressing gender-based violence requires not only robust institutional frameworks but also collective responsibility. He urged every citizen to engage in the fight for an equal and violence-free society.
Key Points:
- Konjufca highlighted Kosovo’s efforts to align its legal framework with international standards such as the Istanbul Convention.
- He emphasized the need for a “holistic” approach to solving gender-based violence, calling for early education that instills values of equality and mutual respect.
- Kosovo has implemented stronger legal protections for victims, including mechanisms for addressing physical, psychological, sexual, and economic violence.
- Konjufca stressed that institutional mechanisms alone are not enough – everyone has a shared responsibility to combat violence.
The Global “16 Days of Activism” Campaign: This conference is part of the broader 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, which unites individuals, governments, and organizations around the world in the fight to end violence against women and girls. Kosovo’s participation underscores its commitment to gender equality and the protection of women’s rights.
Looking Ahead: With the backing of government institutions, civil society, and international partners, Kosovo continues to make strides in the fight against gender-based violence. However, as Konjufca aptly pointed out, the journey toward a violence-free society requires collective action, comprehensive strategies, and the commitment of all members of society.
