In support of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the EULEX Head of Mission, Ms. Alexandra Papadopoulou, confirmed EULEX’s commitment to advance and strengthen gender aspects in all of its activities, both within the Mission and in its engagement with Kosovo institutions. 

EULEX, through its internal Gender Focal Point structure, is focused on strengthening Kosovo’s rule of law institutions and their ability to deal with gender based violence through addressing their needs and identifying gaps.

In order to further strengthen Kosovo’s ability to deal with forensic investigation of sexual and gender based violence, EULEX will organize, beginning of December, a workshop for Kosovo Police and Public Prosecutors on the effective use of forensic investigative techniques when dealing with sexual crimes, including rape. 

Ms. Papadopoulou observed that a staggering amount of women in Kosovo still experience some form of  physical, sexual or psychological violence in their lifetime. 

“Gender-based violence is a human rights violation. It deprives women of enjoying fundamental freedoms and represents a serious obstacle to equality between women and men,” pointed out Ms. Papadopoulou.

EULEX supports The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign, running from today, 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day.