The campaign against gender-based violence in Kosovo started on Monday with a message from the Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu.

In her speech,  Minister Haxhiu outlined the steps taken to facilitate access and safety for victims of domestic violence. Haxhiu underscored the importance of supporting women “today and every other day,” which quickly became a slogan for the campaign.

“We provided free legal aid for survivors and opened six new mobile offices to ensure legal assistance is as close as possible to girls and women. To economically empower the victims, we enabled employment measures for victims of domestic violence. We have compensated victims of crime. 1.5 million euros were allocated to organisations dealing with social and family issues, and next year this budget will increase to 2.5 million euros,” Haxhiu said through a video message.

“We amended the penal code and introduced additional sentences for those found guilty of domestic violence and sexual violence, as well as programs for the rehabilitation of offenders. During these days, we will launch a system to monitor offenders through electronic devices,” Haxhiu further emphasised.

According to the minister, domestic violence, whether it is physical, psychological, sexual, or economic mistreatment, “is a criminal offense punishable by up to three years in prison.”

To mark the start of the  campaign, the first hour of lessons in schools across the country was dedicated to this campaign, along with the launch of a postage stamp and one million bottles with the logo “Today and Every Other Day.”

“As part of the campaign ’16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women,’ I have decided that in all pre-university education schools from grades 6-9 and 10-12, the first hour of lessons today will be dedicated to preventing violence against women,” wrote Minister of Education, Arbërie Nagavci.

The Kosovo Police has also joined the campaign, announcing through a statement that this year’s motto for the institution is “You are the force that breaks the silence.”

“The Kosovo Police, as a guarantor of security and legal support for victims, has taken significant steps to strengthen preventive measures and ensure the professional handling of cases of violence, by specializing dedicated units to provide protection and security for victims,” the statement reads.

The OSCE mission in Kosovo also joined the global efforts at preventing and eliminating violence against women and girls.

“Every 11 minutes a woman or girl is killed by someone they know. Here in Kosovo, thousands of cases of domestic violence against women and girls are reported each year. This year alone, three women were tragically killed by their partners. This is unacceptable,” the OSCE stated via a video message on X.

Meanwhile, the Jahjaga Foundation NGO, in cooperation with the Italian Embassy in Kosovo, marked the opening of the “16 Days of Activism” campaign with a Conference on Gender-Based Violence.

“It is very important for this issue to be addressed not only during these days but every other day, as unfortunately, this phenomenon has become our daily reality. A woman should feel safe everywhere, but above all in her own family,” Atifete Jahjaga, Kosovo’s former President said on Facebook.

To mark this campaign, UN Women Kosovo also announced that over the next 16 Days, KEDS, Kosovo Energy Distribution System, will paint electricity transformers across Kosovo with messages to raise awareness and inspire action.

“As we launch the #16DaysofActivism against Gender-Based Violence, we stand with KEDS Energy to raise awareness and declare that there is #NoExcuse for violence against women and girls”- UN Women wrote on Facebook.

According to police data, over 2,000 cases of domestic violence are reported each year, with the victims primarily being women. In 2023, 286 women and 335 children were sheltered in safe houses across the country.

Activities during the 16 days of the campaign will continue in the coming days at the local and central levels, as well as by civil society organizations.