Changing women's lives in Kosovo
20 February 2008
When the conflict in the Western Balkans ended in 1999, women in Kosovan villages found themselves in a wholly new situation. Tradition had stopped them from taking on roles outside the family, but the conflict had thrust many women into the public sphere.
While men hid underground to evade Serb troops, women got a taste of the opportunities that could - and should - be theirs. However, they also saw that, with few practical skills, their independence was limited.
Lessons in empowerment
DFID
supported a project in two villages - Ragon and Quest - to equip local
women for more enriching futures. On the one hand, it provided technical
training that would increase their earning power. English language lessons,
craft classes, and sewing and embroidery courses were all offered.
On the other hand, the project addressed the women's emotional needs in the aftermath of the conflict. One major challenge, in the light of the atrocities that had been committed, was to encourage dialogue between different ethnic groups. Enabling women to interact with one another - even if it was just a matter of helping a stranger with her embroidery - was high on the agenda.
The power of dialogue
At first, local husbands were sceptical. "At the beginning, my husband wasn’t very happy," testifies one woman. "There was no trust at all - he was nervous about me travelling to seminars." However, as men recognised the potential benefit to the family's income, they allowed their wives to attend.
And, when the wives returned home from the workshops, they put what they learned into action. Understanding the value of dialogue, they engaged their husbands in conversations they had never before had. Men were forced to confront the difficult issues affecting them, such as feelings of social alienation.
Future challenges, future benefits
After several years of the project, there are still significant challenges to overcome if it is to realise its ambitions. Not the least of these is that attempts to promote dialogue between ethnic groups continue to provoke controversy. Although there is acknowledgement that at some point dialogue must occur, many women are hesitant about initiating it.
Furthermore, there is the ongoing challenge of deep-rooted inequality between Kosovo's men and women. But, as has been seen elsewhere, the long-term advantages of anti-inequality projects can be remarkable. Already, women in Ragon and Quest are more confident about their future, enjoy greater economic independence, and see themselves as valuable parts of a wider community.
Key facts
- DFID provides funding to the project as part of its commitment to working with civil society.
- The project to empower women in Ragon and Quest is run by the civil society organisations
CARE International and
- In 2005, DFID renegotiated its partnership agreement with CARE for a further six years. The agreement is worth £3.25 million per year.
- Concern Worldwide received funding through the Civil Society Challenge Fund (CSCF), which is a project-specific fund. Currently, eight Concern projects are being funded this way.
Links
- DFID in Kosovo: Supporting the establishment of a new state - 20 February 2008
- Case study - Broadcasting for peace in Kosovo
