Prishtina, 24 November 2021 –– The Ombudsperson Institution (OI) has launched a national inquiry in respect of reproductive health, with the focus on maternal health, family planning and abortion in Kosovo.

This inquiry, with throughout coverage in the whole country, follows the General Assessment of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights, conducted by OI in 2016, with UNFPA Kosovo Office support.

The inquiry will be based on individual proof provided by women / girls, whose rights have been potentially violated; experts and witnesses, including civil society, with regard to systematic violations of human rights in the field of health as well as sexual and reproductive rights.

This inquiry does not replace the role of the judiciary and other law enforcement bodies, but represents Ombudsperson’s follow-up work, pursuant to constitutional and legal mandate, with regard to protection of human rights and freedoms, closely connected to “The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, especially with some aims of Goal 3: “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.”; and the Goal 5: “Achieve Gender Equality and Empower All Women and Girls.”  

The inquiry will be comprehensive, but with particular attention on vulnerable and sidelined populations and will address issues that occur systematically in the above-stated areas.

Work methodology for conducting this inquiry is in line with Ombudsperson’s working principles, which include: good governance, transparency, inclusiveness, non-discrimination, gender sensitivity, confidentiality, as well as will follow the principle of eliminating all harmful practices.

Given that the inquiry will have a public dimension and will spread throughout the whole country with the focus on girls and women’s testimonies, the Ombudsperson organizes the first focus groups in seven Kosovo regions during this month, as below given:

Prishtinë/Priština       26 November 2021

Ferizaj/Uroševac        30 November 2021

Gjakovë/ Đakovica      3 December 2021

Prizren/Prizren            6 December 2021

Pejë/ Peć                        7 December 2021

Gjilan/ Gnjilane             8 December 2021

Mitrovicë/ Mitrovica     9 December 2021

The Ombudsperson and the UNFPA Office in Kosovo encourage women and girls, who deem that they can share their experiences with us and can contribute with their testimonies from the perspective of the above raised issues, to become a part of such gatherings, based on regions where they live and work.

The telephone number where women and girls can make calls with regard to reproductive health focus groups is 0800 15555 (free of charge).

Any reference in respect of the evidence or experiences shared in focus groups, will remain in anonymity.