Victims of sexual violence during the war have yet to apply for their pensions

Minire Begaj, the chairman of this Commission, told Radio Free Europe that the first applications of women based on data they possess from associations dealing with the rights of women raped during the war are expected. According to her, it is expected that the coming days will have up to a thousand applications.

There are still no persons who will enjoy retirement rights, as the Government Commission must come up with a specific date. But decisions have been passed in Government and a total of 230 euros per person have been allocated. For 2018, 1m euros were earmarked for women's category pensions violated during the war, until in 2019 and 2020, out of 800 thousand euros”, Begaj said.

Meanwhile, Mirlinda Sada director of the Association “Medica” from Gjakova, the association that offers services needed for women raped during the war told Radio Free Europe that a great deal of work has been done in the awareness of women to tell them the truth that happened in the recent war in Kosovo so that they can benefit pensions of 230 euros they are entitled to.

“initially has been difficult to obey women because of the stigma. Many of them have agreements with family members not to present what has happened to them, even though the economic situation is difficult. But our work with them, group and individual consultations, as well as confidence, has led women to be persuaded to apply. We have more than 50 apps ready and the moment the commission starts working, we're going to hand in”, Sada announced.

On the other hand, Minere Begaj said it will also be launched with awareness campaign. She believes such a campaign is of interest to accurate information of this category of their rights to enjoy the pension they are entitled to.

The Commission first makes recognition of their status, until then they will also enjoy the pension they owe by law. According to the data we have from the associations, we can have as many as a thousand people in the next few days, Begaj stressed.

Many women, victims of sexual violence during the war, continue to live in very difficult economic conditions.

One of these is Mimoza (the original name for proofreading), which says that there is no work and no income until she adds that the home she lives in does not meet even basic living conditions.

I never remember a good day in my life. I was a single child in my family, and for my parents I was everything in my life. I was raped by members of Serbian forces in 1998. Since then, my life has taken a different turn”

Despite my difficulties, I continue to live in very difficult economic conditions, without income, and in a home where I still sleep on the floor. The entire floor is covered with dirt. The municipality has sometimes promised to accommodate me somewhere, but that's not what happened, Mimoza said.

The heads of institutions have already invited all victims of sexual violence to exploit the right the law offers, while also urging their families to offer support.

An estimated 20,000 cases of sexual abuse have occurred during the war in Kosovo. In March 2014, Kosovo's Assembly has adopted the necessary legal changes so that such persons can be adjusted to status. Recently, the Government Commission for accepting and verifying the status of victims of sexual violence, has recognised the status of women raped during the war, and is expected to soon enjoy the pension they are entitled to.