YIHR KS Executive Director, Marigona Shabiu, appealed that femicide be considered a national urgency at the Women Peace Security 2024 Forum in the presence of President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu.
Amidst the occurrence of two femicides within the past 7 days, during a panel discussion led by President Vjosa Osmani and other speakers on the topic of women’s role in security, the YIHR KS Executive Director used the WPS platform to call on state institutions to be held accountable for the rising numbers of femicides. Demanding that femicide be considered a national urgency and for all of us to reflect on how the state institutions maintain and reproduce gender-based violence and femicide.
Further, she emphasized the crucial role of diverse youth in Kosovo in fostering gender equality and peace. Emphasizing the often-overlooked perspectives of young people, she highlighted the urgent need for their inclusion in gender equality and peacebuilding efforts. She further criticized the lack of representation of diverse voices, including ethnic minorities, in current initiatives, calling for a more inclusive approach to policy-making. Ultimately, she called for creating platforms that empower youth to contribute meaningfully to building a future where peace is synonymous with justice and equality for all.