Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated this evening in the launch of the global campaign “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.” In his address, he emphasized that violence against women and girls remains an urgent alarm for society and state institutions.
Kurti stressed that every woman who feels fear at night and every child who hears screams instead of silence represents a call for immediate action.
“This alarm cannot wait. The state has the duty to protect, to guarantee safety and justice, just as society has the duty not to remain silent,” he said.
He underlined that the future cannot be built on unresolved trauma or a culture that normalizes violence.
“Domestic violence is never justified — not by stress, not by pressure, not by tradition, and not by any custom,” Kurti stated, adding that beyond legislation, Kosovo needs social courage to report violence and firmly say “enough.”
Government Measures and Achievements
Kurti presented the actions taken by the Government of Kosovo in recent years to combat gender-based violence. He highlighted that the National Strategy for Protection from Domestic Violence and Violence Against Women 2022–2026 is 94.5% implemented or currently underway.
Key measures include:
- Implementation of the State Protocol for handling cases of sexual violence.
- Psycho-social programs for offenders.
- Free legal aid for victims: 671 civil cases (588 women) and 310 criminal cases (187 women).
- The Law on Compensation for Crime Victims.
- Employment programs for women survivors of violence.
- Allocation of €7.3 million for shelters and social NGOs during 2021–2025.
He also noted the expansion of the national database for recording cases of violence, now involving nine institutions.
Kurti emphasized the role of technology and the importance of social solidarity.
“When we choose to spread kindness and truth, even the labyrinths turn into bridges that connect us,” he said, promising continued support for all initiatives aimed at protecting victims and preventing violence.
He concluded by stressing that the fight against gender-based violence is not only a women’s issue:
“Above all, we must educate men and young boys. This is a matter for the whole society, and together we will build a Republic where justice triumphs and inequality falls.”
