The OSCE Mission in Kosovo launched today Guidelines for the Effective Performance of Municipal Coordination Mechanisms against Domestic Violence (MCMDV), a tool to facilitate more effective and co-ordinated responses to domestic violence cases.
The MCMDVs aim to strengthen co-ordination, information sharing, and engagement of all relevant actors at the local level. They consist of representatives of the court and prosecution, Kosovo Police, relevant municipal directorates, Victims' Advocacy and Assistance Office, Centre for Social Work, local shelters for victims of domestic violence and civil society organizations.
The Guidelines cover the legal basis and purpose of the MCMDVs, and facilitate a multi-institutional coordinated approach, which includes data collection, reporting, training and capacity building for the MCMDV members.
"We all understand how important it is to work together to both prevent and address the problem of domestic violence. The MCMDVs, as coordination bodies at the local level, are a step in the right direction," said Ambassador Michael Davenport, the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. "The Guidelines released today should serve as a practical tool to help members further increase the MCMDVs efficiency through better understanding of their roles and responsibilities," Ambassador Davenport added.
The Guidelines are part of a project supported by the French Government. They were drafted by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo following a needs assessment, extensive meetings with MCMDV members, trainings, and validation workshops.
French Ambassador, Olivier Guerot, said that France is promoting the universal application of the Istanbul Convention as part of their efforts in the framework of feminist diplomacy. "Funding this activity by the OSCE is part of the promotion of the Istanbul Convention and its implementation. This is an excellent tool to facilitate the practical implementation of the Convention and we were happy to rely on the experience and expertise of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo," Ambassador Guerot said.
Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, said, "The fight against domestic violence and violence against women requires a comprehensive and well-coordinated response of all institutions and agencies involved in every case, from the moment of reporting until the victim is empowered and enabled to have a dignified, independent and violence-free life."
To date, a total of 33 MCMDVs have been established in most of the municipalities in Kosovo, 20 of them with the OSCE Mission support. On 18 May 2023, the OSCE Mission will support the establishment of the 34th MCMDV in Štrpce/Shtërpcë. The Guidelines are available in Albanian, Serbian, Turkish and English and can be accessed here: web link to guidelines
