International Women’s Day is marked each March 8 as a way of reminding the world that every day should be women’s day. It is an opportunity to recall the historical battle for gender equality and to reflect on current challenges. It is also a chance to provide additional encouragement to our equality champions, the women and men in all walks of life who are actively engaged in the cause.
Under this notion, UNFPA Kosovo teamed up with Artpolis, a Kosovo-based NGO that promotes feminist and equality values by empowering multiethnic women and youth through culture and art, to organize a performance called “Poetry for Power – Every Day is March 8.” For the occasion, Artpolis put together a rich artistic program through which poets and writers, actresses and dancers, singers, choreographers, and musicians, appealed to our finer side and reinforced the message of women’s empowerment.
A wide collection of established artists united and actively participated in designing a purposefully made program to give voice to oppressed women and stand in the way of patriarchal violence. Telling the stories of generations, the artists strived to inspire vulnerable women to prevail and the rest of society to be more alert.
On 5 March, the big stage of the National Theater in Pristina thus featured performances by soprano Besa Llugiqi, singer Ceylan Taci, writers Elvira Dones and Ilire Zajmi, Artpolis actors Blerta Gubetini, Donikë Ahmeti, Edlir Gashi, Kaltrinë Zeneli, Mikel Markaj, Qëndresa Kajtazi, Zhaneta Xhemajli, and actor and poet Shpetim Selmani. A captivating dance program was delivered by the Noa dance theater under Robert Noah’s choreography, whereas Alzan Gashi was in charge of the piano sessions. Artpolis director Zana Hoxha moderated the event masterfully, underscoring the evening’s key message at every opportunity. On behalf of Artpolis, Ms. Hoxha also expressed appretiation to UNFPA as one of the pioneers of support to these sort of performances.
The financial proceeds were donated to victims and survivors of gender-based and war-time sexual violence, as some of the most vulnerable social groups and an enduring reminder of women’s suffering throughout the ages.
UNFPA Kosovo was delighted at the opportunity to support the event, thoroughly enjoying the performances and the public reverberations through social media and various other forms of social chatter. Its dedicated team will continue to look for every opportunity and use every possible avenue to raise awareness and provide assistance to vulnerable women and those advancing gender equality across the board.
