Kvinna till Kvinna supports women’s rights organisations in the Western Balkans. We have offices in Belgrade, Kyiv, Pristina, Sarajevo and Skopje.
The region provides a tough context: it is marred by rising nationalism, corruption and low public trust. Speaking up here can be dangerous: many activists face violent opposition.
Together with our partners, we prevent gender-based violence and support victims and survivors. We advocate for peace, reconciliation and minority rights. We work to ensure gender mainstreaming is part of countries’ road to EU membership.
Albania is a candidate country for EU membership, but still struggles to uphold women’s rights, including protection from violence and human trafficking. Corruption is a persistent obstacle, particularly in the justice system.
The end of the war in Former Yugoslavia left Bosnia and Herzegovina ethnically divided and unstable. The country's women's movement promotes peace, reconciliation and gender equality, and advocates for redress for victims/survivors of violence.
Despite Kosovo's ongoing dispute with Serbia and recurring ethnic tensions, Kosovo's women's movement has booked remarkable successes. It has united women across ethnic lines and achieved recognition for victims/survivors of wartime sexual violence.
Our partners in Montenegro use EU integration as a lever to advance women’s rights – including the prevention of violence. They also call on the government to deal with Montenegro’s role during the regional conflicts in the nineties.
Political changes in 2017 provided new opportunities to put women’s rights on the agenda of North Macedonia’s EU accession process. Our partners combat gender-based violence, support peacebuilding efforts and increase women’s political participation.
Serbia is characterised by a troubled wartime past, strong nationalism and tension with Kosovo. As women's rights receive little attention, our partners continue combatting domestic violence, supporting victims/survivors and promoting peacebuilding.
– Ristin Thomasson, Regional Manager for the Western Balkans
Women’s demonstration on 8 March in Skopje, Macedonia. Photo: Emilija Dimoska / Kvinna till Kvinna