In 2024, we launched our first European Union project, CREATResili, co-funded by the Creative Europe program and implemented by a Hungarian-Kosovar-Albanian consortium. This project focuses on supporting abused women in Kosovo through social design tools. It exemplifies cross-sector collaboration, with key partners including Pro Progressione (an arts hub), the Jahjaga Foundation from Kosovo (an NGO), and Gjirafa Albania (e-commerce). Additionally, the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design provides expertise in social design, ensuring the project’s success. Below is an interview with Alba Cikaqi, project assistant for the CREATResili Project at the Jahjaga Foundation, discussing the challenges faced by women in Kosovo and her hopes for the project.
The CREATResili project is an important initiative. Can you share why this project resonates with the Jahjaga Foundation's mission and how it addresses the situation of women in Kosovo?
A.C.: The CREATResili project aligns closely with our foundation's mission of empowering women. Despite progress, significant challenges remain for women in Kosovo. Three key areas are particularly concerning: low employment rates, limited property ownership, and financial dependency. Only 20% of women are employed, and just 17% own property, making them financially reliant on their families or partners.
While we've advanced beyond the constraints faced by previous generations—like those of my grandmother—we still have a long way to go. Although gender equality is embedded in our constitution and the Istanbul Convention has been enforceable since 2020, there’s a gap between legal rights and lived realities, particularly in employment. More than half of university students are women, but this doesn’t translate into job opportunities. CREATResili aims to change that by equipping women with the skills to turn their passions into viable sources of income.
Despite these legal protections, why do women struggle to find jobs in Kosovo, especially with such high numbers attending university?
A.C.: Traditional gender norms play a large role. Women are still expected to take on most of the caregiving responsibilities, which limits their ability to work, especially in rural areas where childcare services are scarce. Moreover, the disparity in parental leave exacerbates this issue. Women receive six months of maternity leave, during which employers shoulder significant financial burdens, while men get only 10 days. This imbalance discourages employers from hiring women due to the perceived financial risks.
It seems financial dependence makes women even more vulnerable within family structures. Is domestic violence another issue you're confronting?
A.C.: Sadly, yes. In 2023 alone, police reported four femicides and over 2,000 cases of domestic violence. Many women remain hesitant to report abuse, partly because our criminal justice system still doesn't take these crimes seriously enough. For instance, in a recent femicide case, the perpetrator faced only minor fines for repeated offenses before ultimately killing his wife. The system’s leniency fails to offer real protection.
What steps is the Jahjaga Foundation taking to combat these challenges?
A.C.: Our foundation focuses on empowering marginalized communities, particularly women from minority groups and survivors of domestic violence. Achieving financial independence is central to our work because financially independent women are less vulnerable to abuse. Through initiatives like CREATResili, we offer workshops and training that help women develop new skills and gain confidence, making them more self-sufficient. This not only helps them but strengthens our society as a whole.
What are your hopes for the future of CREATResili?
A.C.: I hope the program surpasses all expectations. I want the women involved to enjoy the experience and grow—not just in their skills but in their confidence and independence. Kosovo is a young country, open to new experiences and partnerships. We are always eager to learn and collaborate. I’m confident that this project will benefit not only the women involved but also all the partners who come together to support it.
