Victory for victims of war-time rape in Kosovo
Kosovo's women's movement has achieved an important victory for women who were subjected to sexual violence during the war. Today, they are recognised as civilian victims of war and receive compensation for their suffering from the government.
During the Kosovo war in 1998-1999, thousands of women were subjected to rape. Kvinna till Kvinna’s partner organisation, Medica Kosova, offers these women rehabilitation as well as legal and psychosocial support.
Since 1999, more than 6 700 women have been helped by Medica Kosova. Yet more remains to be done: the most vulnerable victims are hard to reach because of the shame and stigma associated with rape. But Medica Kosovo does not give up.
In 2014, the women’s movement succeeded in getting a law adopted that recognised all those who had been subjected to sexual violence during the war as civilian victims.
In 2017, a specific portion of the government’s budget was allocated to providing financial support to these women – in the same way war veterans are compensated. This is a major victory for Medica Kosova and other women’s rights organisations in the country.
Surviving victims today have the right to claim €230 per month.