Prishtinë, 8 March 2022 – On the occasion of marking 8 March – International Women’s Day, the Ombudsperson, as a state equality mechanism, entrusted with a mandate to protect, oversee, and promote human rights, pointed out that this day finds Kosovo in its efforts to challenge gender inequalities, which largely impact on the lives as well as well-being of girls and women.

Kosovo continues to be challenged by destructive phenomena such as gender and sexual violence, and of particular concern remain numerous cases of women murdering due to domestic violence.

State mechanisms set up for protection of victims of domestic violence have also been challenged by the lack of appropriate functioning of a ring in the protection chain. Institutions should do everything on their power that constitutional guarantees, primary legislation as well as the standards set out in international instruments and conventions, find inclusive and appropriate enforcement in terms of combating gender inequality.

8 of March should remind all of us that we need to speak out every day of the year about gender inequality and fight all forms of discrimination, violence and hate speech. These injustices against women and girls greatly affect their ability to raise a family, work, or exercise their rights in general.

The Ombudsperson Institution has been continuously committed that the constitutional guarantees, the primary legislation as well as the standards defined with the international instruments and conventions, find full and exact implementation, by becoming tangible and accessible for every girl and woman in Kosovo.