On 22nd and 23rd of March 2012, the first training on domestic violence for NGOs and local partners was held in Gjilan. The same training sessions will also be organized in Dragash and Gjakova.

UNFPA in cooperation with Kosovo Women Network facilitates such trainings as a part of the Joint Program on Domestic Violence in Kosovo, which focuses three major areas: prevention of domestic violence, protection of victims and provision of efficient services for rehabilitation, and integration of victims and perpetrators in three pilot municipalities Gjilan, Dragash, and Gjakova. In 2012, UNFPA is responsible for enhancing awareness among women and men on domestic violence and women’s rights and for building capacity and financial sustainability of health providers and non-government organizations working towards elimination of domestic violence, promotion of gender equality, and social inclusion.

The two days long training has shown great need for domestic violence awareness. The training capacity was full – 30 participants from 11 different NGOs and one representative of local municipality participated.

The presentation on domestic violence issues was followed by very life discussion on different topics. One of those was a discussion about heritance law and its implementation and implications regarding to gender. Men and women have equal provisions in the heritance law; however in practice women usually don’t inherit and are not aware of their rights. Participants were encouraged to come up with specific questions connected to domestic violence or role of women in the society. The training turned to be a great knowledge sharing experience for all the participants.

“My knowledge on domestic violence has been mostly general,” says Yllka Krasniqi from the Centre for Protection and Rehabilitation Liria Gjilan, who has worked there for two years. Now she says that she knows more details about domestic violence. She hadn’t been aware of the existence of the heritage law and its provisions in practice. Yllka also adds that now, she can share her newly acquired knowledge and experience with women in villages where her organization implements activities.

Another participant of the training, Blertë Kosumi from the Centre for psycho-social advices “Providenca”, points out that she had known before how the legal system works but she wanted to learn more about domestic violence and women related legislative as well as to know, how the legislative is implemented in practice. Now she feels that she knows what to do and where to go when women who suffer from domestic violence come to the centre for advice.