Protesters in Kosovo have called on state institutions to take urgent and concrete measures to prevent femicide and strengthen protection for women facing violence, following a series of recent killings of women in the country.
Activist Qëndresa Hyseni outlined several demands, calling on institutions to treat women’s safety as a national emergency and a central issue of public security.
Among the main demands is the establishment of a specialized ministerial-level unit dedicated to preventing femicide.
“We demand that this government establish a specialized unit for the prevention of femicide at the ministerial level,” Hyseni said.
She also called for greater institutional accountability and the effective functioning of the entire chain of institutions responsible for preventing femicide, including Centers for Social Work.
The protesters further demanded stronger financing for social policies aimed at reducing gender and economic inequalities that, they argue, can leave women trapped in abusive situations.
Another key demand is the legal codification of femicide as a separate criminal offense.
Hyseni also called for comprehensive education within Kosovo’s school system to address what she described as toxic masculinity and promote gender relations based on equality and justice.
The protest comes amid renewed public concern over violence against women and demands for institutions to strengthen prevention mechanisms, improve the response to reports of domestic violence and ensure greater protection for women at risk.
