On 25 November 2025, the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and kicked off the “16 Days of Activism campaign against Gender-Based Violence”.

This year, the campaign focused on one of the fastest-growing forms of violence: digital violence against women and girls

The Mission started its intense program of activities by joining the EU Family’s campaign to stand united to end digital violence through a video message of the EULEX Head of Mission, Giovanni Pietro Barbano: “Prevention begins with awareness and education. Each of us has a responsibility to lead by example and show solidarity with victims.”

Fostering inter-institutional cooperation to prevent and address violence

On the same day, the Deputy Chief of Case EULEX Monitoring Unit, Heidi Heggdal, contributed to the roundtable discussion supported by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and organised by the Basic Prosecution Office in Pejë/Peć. The discussion centered around the need to strengthen inter-institutional cooperation through an integrated approach, the improvement of the legislative framework and the functionalization of protection mechanisms to prevent and address violence against vulnerable victims, including minors and the elderly.

Heggdal addressed the participants referring to the findings and recommendations from the recently published EULEX Justice Monitoring Report emphasizing the importance of prioritizing cases of domestic violence, improving child-sensitive approach and avoid re-victimization through the use of video-recording equipment during victims' interviews.

On 26 November, with the local NGO Assist Kosovo, the Mission held the multi-stakeholders gathering “Voices of Kosovo Against All Forms of Violence Against Women and Girls”, bringing together Kosovo Police, prosecutors, religious leaders, lawyers, entrepreneurs, health professionals, civil society activists, community actors and international partners.

The Istanbul Convention and CEDAW remind us that awareness, effective multi-sectorial approach and active engagement are obligations, not options.

The speakers touched upon different forms of violence against women and girls, from domestic violence, including psychological and economical, to sexual and online violence and cyberbullying. They all convened on the need to translate existing laws into realistic protection of women and girls, and to shift cultural norms, while promoting a victim-centered approach.

All speakers were united in one message: Violence against women and girls concerns us all. It is not a private matter, but a societal one, and the responsibility to prevent and end this violence is a collective one - there can be no compromise.

Promoting women’s meaningful participation in public life On 27 November, in cooperation with the European Union in Kosovo and our partner Assist Kosovo, EULEX facilitated an interactive discussion with women in public life: a former Minister, members of Parliament, members of municipal assemblies, candidates for the position of Mayor, journalists and representatives of the Kosovo Forensic Agency.

All speakers shared their personal experiences about the common challenges they face, including being confronted with strategically organized degrading comments and misogynist remarks embraced by the wider public. They agreed that all forms of hate speech are not acceptable, they should be recognized, reported, and addressed.

The speakers also discussed the lack of support stemming from patriarchal cultural norms, including within political parties, society and social media, hampering gender equality and women’s participation in social and political life. Bearing in mind that women’s meaningful participation in public life is an irreplaceable element of durable peace, the discussion concluded with a common agreement on the need for full implementation of the existing legal framework, strong legal protection, and support mechanisms for women in public life, and institutional as well as media accountability.

Empowering youth Young people are not only the most active online, but they are also the most powerful agents of change. When informed and empowered, they can challenge harmful norms, stand up for victims and help build safer, more respectful online communities for everyone.

With the support of our civil society partners, our outreach and awareness raising efforts to empower young people to stand up against digital violence continued:

On 01 and 8 December, with Assist Kosovo, we facilitated two outreach discussions with students from Technical High School "Nexhmedin Nixha" in Gjakova/Đakovica and the High School "Haxhi Zeka" in Istog/Istok on how to prevent and counter online violence.

Through open debates and interactive workshops with the Kosovo Police and civil society representatives, we encouraged students to reflect on the impact of harmful online behaviour, a growing form of abuse that affects safety, dignity, and equal participation in digital spaces, and to recognize how empathy, responsibility, and awareness can prevent it before it starts.

On 02 and 05 December, in cooperation with Assist Kosovo and NVO Zensko pravo we organized two youth forums in Pristina and Mitrovica North with university and high school students in order to enable them to counter and prevent digital forms of gender-based violence, by being able to recognize it, challenge it, and report it.

During an interactive discussion with representatives of the Kosovo Police, the Pristina Basic Prosecution Office, clinical psychologists, and civil society organizations, students explored the real-life consequences of online hate and the shared responsibility of individuals, communities, institutions, and digital platforms in addressing it.

Advocating for the rights of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence

On 06 December, the EULEX Deputy Head of Mission Emily Rakhorst championed the message that the right to be recognized and receive services as a survivor of conflict-related sexual violence must be ensured regardless of time limits. She joined the awareness walk organized by KRCT - Kosova Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims: an empowering expression of respect and support for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in Kosovo.

Working with partners to advance the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda

On 10 December, closing the campaign and marking International Human Rights Day, EULEX Gender Advisor Chiara Tagliani took part in a Civil Society Reflection meeting organized by the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), marking the 25th Anniversary of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda while symbolizing the official closure of the campaign. This strategic dialogue brought together women leaders from institutions, peacebuilders, and human rights advocates from across Kosovo to reflect on the evolution of WPS and reinforcing collective advocacy to end all forms of violence against women and girls.

Finally, the Mission Gender Advisor, Chiara Tagliani, participated in an awareness-raising video developed by the Municipality of Shtime/Štimlje as part of its 16 Days of Activism campaign. The video aimed to raise awareness and promote an inter-institutional response to all forms of violence, with a particular focus on gender-based violence.

EULEX continues to work with Kosovo’s institutions, civil society and partners on the prevention, protection and prosecution of violence, harassment, and discrimination against women, both in society at large, in the digital space and in political life.