Macanovic: Women in Kosovo are used as a means of revenge through sexual violence

Vanja Macanović
Source: Kosovo Online

Lawyer Vanja Macanovic from the Autonomous Women's Center stated that in Kosovo, there are violations of rights and violence against women of all nationalities. She pointed out that women, particularly in regions characterized by tensions and divisions, such as Kosovo, are used as a means of revenge through various forms of sexual harassment and violence.

Macanovic observed that wherever there is a prolonged and unresolved conflict, it unfortunately manifests itself in violence against women.

According to her, this is most evident from the experiences of women who are victims of war rape, a phenomenon that exists both in the region and globally.

"The experiences of women show that they are used as a means of revenge against another nation through various forms of sexual harassment and violence. Kosovo is not an isolated case where women are targeted. They, as the weakest link, struggle to defend themselves. It is easy to commit such violence, especially in an atmosphere of impunity for sexual violence and harassment. This is not only the case in Kosovo but everywhere. We see it in Serbia as well. It’s something we encounter every day," Macanovic told Kosovo Online.

What is evident in the media regarding the situation in Kosovo is that there is a problem with sexual violence against women of all nationalities, Macanovic emphasizes.

"We’ve had cases such as the multiple rape of a 12-year-old girl and many other cases that have come to public attention. These actually show that in areas where there is a simmering conflict, all rights, especially women’s rights, are sidelined in terms of protection and support," she observes.

She highlights that in Serbia, since the introduction of the criminal offense of sexual harassment, the number of reports and prosecutions for such cases has increased.

She points out that practice has shown that when certain behaviors are legally addressed early on, at the level of harassment, more severe cases such as rape and the murder of women can be prevented.

"When Serbia introduced the criminal offense of sexual harassment, the media was filled with comments like, 'Men won’t be able to flirt with women anymore.' But those of us who work with women and provide free legal assistance know how necessary it was to introduce this offense. Addressing certain behaviors early on, when they are at the level of harassment, prevents more severe cases such as, unfortunately, rape and the murder of women. When Serbia introduced the criminal offense of sexual harassment, it was immediately followed by the reporting of a case involving underage girls. When we look at the statistics in Serbia, the number of reports and prosecuted cases clearly shows that this offense needed to be enacted," Macanovic said.

However, while she is convinced that the situation in Kosovo is similar, she emphasizes that the key question is how institutions respond when a case is reported.

She explains that there is a difference when the perpetrator is known compared to cases involving an unknown individual harassing women in public spaces, at bus stops, or in transit.

Macanovic points out that Kosovo has the "Kosovo Women’s Network" and organizations that provide help and support to victims of sexual harassment and violence.

She notes that these organizations also operate in northern Kosovo, where, as she says, the "frozen Albanian-Serbian conflict continues to smolder."

These organizations, she adds, provide assistance regardless of the women’s nationality—whether they are Serbian, Albanian, Romani, or otherwise.

"Women's organizations always strive to help. What we see from our experience is that when Serbian women living in Kosovo seek help for a specific type of violence, primarily domestic violence, in other parts of Kosovo outside the north, they are able to secure their right to protection. The problem lies in northern Kosovo, where there is this frozen conflict and the ongoing tensions. Generally, there is a completely unregulated situation for which those at the top are responsible, but it reflects on the everyday lives of citizens. That is the real issue. In Kosovo, the focus is often on other problems rather than the real problems faced by citizens, making it difficult for people in the northern part of Kosovo to exercise their right to protection," Macanovic concluded.