Determination, professionalism, single-mindedness, diligence, courage, and a lot of hard work are virtues that make a judge a good judge. Valdete Daka has it all, and a bit more. 

She is a well-known figure in Kosovo, not only for being among the pioneering woman to take the role of judge within Kosovo’s Justice system, but also for being one of the first females to head an independent agency in Kosovo, the Central Election Commission (CEC). 

Some might know her also as a former member of the Board of Directors of the Kosovo Judges Association and as regular trainer of the Kosovo Judicial Institute in the criminal and human rights area. She also trains candidates to become judges, which occurs upon the successful completion of the jurisprudence exam. Judge Daka is also a member of the Kosovo Judicial Council and former member of the Independent Commission for Election and Appointment of Judges and Prosecutors.

An intense, outgoing woman in her 50’s, juggling many important functions she was always determined to take up a role in the justice system in Kosovo.  This determination and love for law was nourished by her father who was a well-known law professor in Kosovo. “Since I grew up in a family, passionate about the law, and witnessed this legal appetite every day, it was only natural that I opted for law as my profession,” explains Daka who graduated law from Pristina University. 

Her journey started by being appointed as the Municipal Court judge in Prizren in the field of criminal justice when she was only twenty five. “Being among first women to hold the role of the judge in the penal field was very rewarding but at the same time very hard,” explains Daka. 

Serving justice as a criminal judge in most cases means that you need to face high profile criminals committing aggravated crimes, but this didn’t stop Daka exceling in her role at very young age. “As a criminal judge, in most cases you deprive criminals of freedom, and there were times where my life and life of my family were threatened and we had to live under police protection,” explains judge Daka.  

However, passion for serving justice, dedication, and hard work were her driving force to always strive for highest peaks in justice profession. “I always wanted to be a part of the development of justice in Kosovo and I believe that I have played an important role in state creation and creation of justice institutions. This makes me feel very proud,” says Daka.  

In a man dominated profession, women have to be very determined in fighting their way to decision making positions. “The position of women has improved a lot since my first appointment as a criminal judge in Prizren, but a lot more remains to be done,” she says. According to her, women are stronger, resilient, less prone to influence and therefore they should be treated as such. 

According to Valdete, the justice system in Kosovo, despite the many challenges, is actually much better than it was before. “Important reforms and changes in the laws have been achieved, a lot has been done. Still, more needs to be done. Namely, the young generation of professionals need to be very determined," says Valdete. 

She has a message for the young generation that is slowly replacing the old generation in a justice system that is to be more determined and focused: “never give up, ask for more, and do your utmost for excellence in your professions.” 

During her rich professional career she has worked alongside justice professionals from various international organizations working in Kosovo. “I took part in different panels, in different work groups, and trainings. Cooperation with international justice professionals was always very good and a great opportunity to learn from each other,” explains Daka.  

Daka’s plans for the future are to continue to work in the Kosovo Justice system for the benefit of Kosovo citizens. 

She says if she had to choose between the posts that she holds at the moment, justice is the field that she would choose again and again. 

As a professional woman, and as a judge, Daka symbolizes women who overcame enormous obstacles and paved the way for others to achieve careers in the legal world.