LuxDev Kosovo marks 16 Days of Activism with a focus on online gender-based violence

During this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, LuxDev Kosovo engaged partners, students and its own staff in a series of activities highlighting the urgent need to address violence in all its forms – especially in digital spaces. From presenting new research on gender-based disinformation to empowering university and vocational education and training (VET) students with knowledge, tools and lived examples, and finally honouring survivors at the “ÇAST” Museum, LuxDev’s actions underscored a shared commitment : raising awareness, challenging harmful norms, and supporting institutions and communities in building a safer, more equal society for all women and girls.

To mark the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, on 25 November 2025, LuxDev hosted its partner, the Democracy for Development Institute (D4D), for the presentation of their report, “Gender-Based Disinformation and Misogynistic Language in Online Media.”

D4D presented real cases illustrating the scale and severity of online hate speech targeting women in politics. Examples from across the political spectrum, drawn from social media, online media platforms and comment sections, demonstrate that gender-based discrimination is structural and present in everyday online interactions.

Data showing that over 40% of women in Kosovo have experienced some form of online violence underscores how technology is facilitating abuse. Women report receiving unwanted and offensive messages, often containing sexual content, alongside frequent cases of account hacking. These alarming figures should serve as a clear call to continue strengthening the legal framework, which currently only partially addresses online violence.

The report was developed with the support of LuxDev’s Support to civil society in Kosovo project.

As part of this year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign, themed “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls, ” LuxDev, through the Sustainable and inclusive growth in Kosovo project, together with the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE), held an awareness-raising session with first-year students at the University of Prishtina.

The session, led by Luanda DOMI, GFCE’s gender mainstreaming and cyber skills development manager, highlighted her non-traditional journey into cybersecurity and emphasised that the field is multidisciplinary, people-centred, and accessible to individuals from diverse backgrounds, encouraging young women to see themselves in this space.

Luanda DOMI then facilitated an interactive, scenario-based exercise on digital manipulation and coercion, guiding students through how quickly a seemingly friendly online conversation can turn unsafe. The discussion emphasised that online violence has lasting emotional, social and sometimes physical consequences.

Students also explored practical steps they can take when facing harmful digital situations, including :

• avoiding self-blame;
• refusing to send additional material under pressure;
• saving evidence;
• blocking and reporting abusive accounts; and
• reaching out to a trusted person for support.

They openly exchanged experiences and ideas on how to support peers who may feel trapped, isolated or afraid to seek help. LuxDev extends special appreciation to Prof. Blerim REXHA for generously welcoming the team into his classroom.

From 1 to 5 December 2025, students from five vocational education and training institutions in Gjakova, Mitrovica, Skenderaj, Prishtina and Podujeva participated in a workshop organised under the project Skills for sustainable jobs in Kosovo. The activity brought together mostly male students from vocational schools to discuss gender norms, violence and the importance of equality.

Before the workshop, students were asked to write responses to the prompts “Girls should…” and “Boys should…” Many initial answers reflected traditional gender expectations.

The workshops were opened with a presentation by the project’s Gender Officer, who discussed with students the different forms of gender-based violence, including online and technology-facilitated abuse. The discussion highlighted the increasing exposure of girls aged 14 to 16 to unwanted and sexual messages on social media and emphasised the importance of reporting all forms of violence.

The second part of the workshop featured Adelina TERSHANI, one of Kosovo’s leading slam poets and a recognised feminist activist. Adelina first gained broad public attention when her performance “Patriarchal Logic” went viral during the annual 8 March Women’s March. As soon as she recited the part of the poem that had gone viral, students’ jaws dropped. She shared with students how, following the performance, she faced significant backlash, ranging from hate comments online and being turned into an online meme to receiving direct threats. Her experience offered a concrete example of the challenges faced by women who speak publicly about gender inequalities.

Adelina continued by performing several of her slam poems, addressing everyday forms of violence and discrimination experienced by women, including being followed or cat-called, exclusion from inheritance, and the pressure placed on families to have a male child to carry the surname.

After hearing Adelina’s performances and participating in discussions, students were invited to revisit and rewrite some of the cards on "Girls should…" and "Boys should…". The revised messages shifted towards promoting equality and shared responsibilities. “I had never heard of slam poetry before, ” one of the boys said. “What started as a normal boring school day turned into a very interesting day that I will remember for a long time.”

The teachers who joined the team during the workshop also asked for similar activities to continue. “Please come again, ” one of them said, “because in vocational schools we rarely address these kinds of social issues, and young boys need to be educated about preventing violence. Besides, the poetry truly captures the students’ attention; classrooms that are usually noisy suddenly become quiet, with everyone listening carefully.”

The workshop provided students with clearer insights into gender-based violence, the impact of harmful norms, and the role they can play in fostering respectful and equal environments in their schools and communities.

On 10 December 2025, marking both the end of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and Human Rights Day, LuxDev staff visited the Moment Museum of Survivors of Sexual Violence during the War in Kosovo.

The museum, composed of four rooms with distinct narratives and artworks, serves as a powerful space for remembrance and awareness. It brings forward the stories, testimonies and artefacts shared by Medica GJAKOVA and the Centre for the Promotion of Women’s Rights in Drenas, honouring their courage and resilience.

This visit offered LuxDev staff not only the opportunity to experience the exhibits and read survivors’ testimonies firsthand, but also to reflect on a painful chapter in Kosovo’s history and the ongoing stigma that survivors continue to face today. It was a moment of collective learning, empathy and renewed commitment to supporting efforts that uphold dignity, justice and human rights for all.

LuxDev extends its heartfelt gratitude to President Atifete JAHJAGA and her team for their warm welcome, and to Bleona HAJDARI, who guided the staff through the museum with care and insight.

The “Çast” Museum was founded by the Jahjaga Foundation, a partner of LuxDev’s Support to civil society in Kosovo project.