/ Gender Training Against Discrimination
Thanks to the pressure exerted by women's organisations, the international administration for Kosovo has established important structural elements, laying the foundations for gender equality. The transitional government has adopted a plan of action for gender equality that is a result of the combined efforts of woman politicians and women's organisations. Now there is a quota system for parliamentary elections that requires a 30% representation by women, and each municipality provides a woman officer concerned with gender issues. However, day-to-day relations between the sexes show that there is yet a lot of work to do. There are still very few women in decision-making positions. Sadly, the posts responsible for gender issues are often filled by women without the necessary specialisation, and none of the offices have any authority in financial matters. Nonetheless, the Gender Training and Research Center in Pristina is a leading institution in the region, where gender mainstreaming and the political context merge.
For Gender Equality and a Robust Civil Society
The Gender Training and Research Center supports young NGO's with training for organisational development, project management and public relations. Depending on their location and their aims, the NGO's can choose what best suits their needs. There is a broad selection of training available, including courses to familiarise them with lobbying and advocacy, as well as campaign work. Sensitising participants to gender issues is a central element of all of the training offered, since gender equality is intrinsic to democracy. For this reason the center encourages women to actively take part in politics and supports them with technical and political know-how. Women who are already in leading positions, be this in NGO's, public administration or in private enterprises, are welcome to attend management courses as well. There they can deepen their knowledge and benefit from networking. Out of respect for the language groups of the region, the center teaches and publishes in all three languages: Albanian, Serbian and Romany.
Gender Training in Institutions
Throughout Kosovo, members of the center give Gender Training courses that target specific occupational groups, such as teachers, media workers and police force members. Another important area of activity is public administration. Participants in Gender Training learn to recognise commonplace discriminatory attitudes and practices, as well as where there is an opportunity for change. Participants are invited to plan a project related to gender issues that is specifically designed for their field of occupation, and that can be effectively realised from their position within the organisation. The trainers provide support and assistance for the day-to-day realisation of the project.
Information Platform
The center has a library that specialises on literature concerning feminism and gender issues, and is widely used by students and journalists. It also maintains in-depth documentation on the situation of women in Kosovo. The center is prominently engaged in creating networks between actively committed women and women's organisations. It organises round tables to discuss current political and social events from a woman's point of view, and is involved in the Kosovo Women’s Network.
