Women's Network urges Kurti to include women as expert in dialogue against Serbia

Kurti does not include any women in expert commitment to dialogue with Serbia, RGK reacts

The Kosovo Women's Network has reacted since in dialogue with Serbia, no women are involved in the expert team, writes Periscopi.

Through a communique, RGK requires the involvement of women in the negotiating team as well as the inclusion of women's priorities on topics to be discussed.

Also, we remember that RGK in the past has called for involvement in the dialogue of at least one woman experienced by civil society, as defined by Resolution 1325 for Women, Peace and Security. And also, the Law on Gender Equality requires equal representation of women in such decision-making positions”, said among other things in the RGK response.

We remember that Albin Kurti before becoming Kosovo prime minister was very committed to gender equality.

It is noteworthy, however, that the NGO Group for the Balkans has said there may be other experts involved. So far, the names mentioned are: Veton Surroi, Blerim Shala, Leon Malazog, Robert Muharrem, Bernard Nikaj and Muhamet Mustafa.

Full response of RGK's:

Kosovo Women Network ( S. The concerned GK has followed recent developments about expert commitment to dialogue between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia, because only men are found in this team of experts.

Through this public letter, RGK, as a network representing the interests of 158 member organisations, vows to monitor the entire process of dialogue, constantly demanding that the negotiating team be inclusive and that women's priorities be part of the agenda.

RGK requires the involvement of women in the dialogue team, as well as the inclusion of women's priorities on topics to be discussed. We also remember that RGK in the past has called for involvement in the dialogue of at least one woman experienced by civil society, as defined by Resolution 1325 for Women, Peace and Security. The Law on Gender Equality also requires equal representation of women in such decision-making positions.

Thus, RGK risks that we are willing to offer names of qualified women, as well as support in organising public consultations towards achieving a democratic, transparent and comprehensive process, which is central to achieving lasting peace and security in Kosovo and the region.

During the following year, which marked the 20th anniversary of the adoption of Resolution 1325, RGK sent an open letter to the then Kosovo Government and the European Union's special envoy for Kosovo Dialogue to Serbia, Mr. Miroslav Lajčák.

RGK expressed concern about not including women in negotiating teams, as well as willingness to co-operate with the Government of Kosovo to propose names of experienced women in this area, listing also the needs identified in our latest “report a seat at the table: Women's contribution to Kosovo peace-building processes and their expectations from these” processes.

This report has identified the needs of women and girls to this process remain similar to those women have raised since the end of the war in Kosovo. This report also highlighted the fact that lasting peace is achieved only when there is equal involvement of women and men.

Women also do not tend to sign agreements they could not implement. As such, we ask the Government of Kosovo to include the needs and priorities of different women and girls in Kosovo, recently identified in this report: Ensure women's conservative participation in decision-making in negotiations and dialogue, both through involvement in the official negotiating team and public consultations;

• Seeking recognition of Kosovo from Serbia and a public apology from the Serbian state for crimes committed against Albanian civilians;
• Ensure the return of missing persons;
• Ensure prosecution against those who committed war crimes in Kosovo, including sexual violence committed during the war, thus achieving justice; and
• To provide compensation and compensation for material disasters, including pension returns. Since 2006, RGK has been active in tracking dialogue between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia, including the topics and composition of the negotiating team, and we will continue to be active in this area until women and their needs are equally involved in dialogue.