International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women Commemorated in Kosovo

November 25, 2002 -A number of activities will be held today to note the International Day to Eliminate Violence against Women, culminating with a concert organized by the Kosovo Women's Network at the Pristina National Theatre. The concert includes a play "Our Stories" and songs with the text against violence against women. Such a campaign has proved to be a strong tool for motivating the audience both women and men to work to together in order to oppose violence against women and advocate gender equality.

The International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women, was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999 and motivated by the assassination of the three Mirabel sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic on the same date in 1961. In Kosovo the International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women was first observed in 2000. Many international and local organizations and NGOs held various activities on that day to raise awareness of violence against women, advocate their human rights and demonstrate firm determination to eradicate this shameful practice.

Violence against women exists in all societies and cultures worldwide, between individuals, in families, in institutions and in the work place. Studies conducted by the WHO in 24 societies on 24 continents reveal that between 20 and 50 percent of women are victims of physical abuse of their family members at some point in their lives. Regrettably, violence against women is overwhelmingly viewed as a women's issue rather than a human rights issue that affects a large percentage population.

In Kosovo violence against women before the war has taken place in the context of intimidation and repression of the Kosovo Albanians in 1989-1999. During the war it took place against the background of massacres and ethnic cleansing against Kosovo Albanians. Statistics of violence in Kosovo collected by the UN after the war has been not very accurate as women in Kosovo are usually reluctant to report about physical or sexual violence that has been inflicted upon them in fear of publicity and endangering their future. This situation is gradually improving with the increase of awareness of women about their rights and of thrust in justice and police where they are seeking protection of their lives, dignity and self-esteem.

Source: UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK)

From http://www.reliefweb.int