On 15 May 2019, a public event was organised to launch the Council of Europe project: “Reinforcing the fight against violence against women and domestic violence in Kosovo*-Phase II”. The project is built on the findings and recommendations of the research Mapping of services for victims of violence against women in Kosovo* developed in the framework of the project’s first phase in 2017.

The aim of the project is to strengthen the capacities of institutions in charge of supporting services for victims, providing justice as well as running awareness raising initiatives to counter violence against women and domestic violence in line with the standards set in the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention).

The event was opened by Ms Isabelle Servoz-Gallucci, the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Pristina, Mr Naim Qelaj, National Coordinator against Domestic Violence, and Ms Larissa Kireeva, the Project-Coordinator from the Gender Equality Division of the Council of Europe. The event gathered more than 60 participants from relevant ministries, civil society organisations and intergovernmental organisations, including Mr Hilmi Jashari, Ombudsperson, Ms Edi Gusia, the Head of Agency for Gender Equality, Mr Valon Kurtaj, Executive Director of Academy of Justice, Ms Adile Shaqiri from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and Ms Merita Limani, VAW DV Project Manager, Council of Europe Office in Pristina.

All participants acknowledged the importance and need of the project contributing to streamlining and implementing standards and methodologies deriving from the Istanbul Convention.

* All reference to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.