Marking the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo supported the Association of Women in Kosovo Police (AWKP) in organizing a roundtable on gender equality, women's leadership in the security sector, and the role of Femicide Watch as a mechanism for prevention, accountability, and institutional learning.
The event brought together 48 participants representing women's professional associations, public safety institutions, international policing networks, and partners from the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Montenegro, and Albania. Participants exchanged experiences and good practices on women's leadership in policing, institutional barriers to advancement, social sensitivity, and approaches to monitoring and preventing femicide.
Opening the event, Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Gerard McGurk emphasized the importance of inclusive and accountable security institutions, noting that "gender equality is not only a women's issue. It is a security and governance issue, as well as a shared responsibility."
Discussions highlighted the role of women's professional networks in promoting institutional reform, strengthening accountability, and increasing women's participation in leadership and decision-making. Representatives of the Kosovo Police presented ongoing efforts to prevent and investigate domestic violence and femicide, emphasizing victim-centred approaches, risk assessment mechanisms, and inter-institutional co-operation.
Particular attention was given to Femicide Watch as a preventive and accountability-oriented framework. Participants examined international practices for reviewing femicide cases, identifying systemic gaps, and strengthening institutional learning through evidence-based approaches. The discussions underscored the importance of stronger co-ordination among security, justice, and social welfare institutions in responding to gender-based violence.
The roundtable concluded with recommendations to strengthen institutional accountability, advance women's leadership, enhance inter-institutional co-operation, and explore opportunities to integrate Femicide Watch principles into existing policies and strategies.
This activity is part of the Mission's ongoing support to the Association of Women in Kosovo Police, and supporting inclusive, responsive, and gender-sensitive security institutions while advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda in Kosovo.
