Two of Kosovo’s leading women peacebuilders are featured in a global photo exhibition launched today by UNMIK to mark the start of the annual campaign for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This initiative joins global partners in calling for urgent action to prevent and end violence against women and girls.

“Addressing gender-based violence is both a human rights imperative and essential for building lasting peace. When women and girls are safe and able to fully participate in all aspects of life, societies become more resilient, inclusive, and stable. This year, we renew our call for collective action across communities, civil society, and government institutions to ensure safety, dignity, and justice for all,” said Milbert Dongjoon Shin, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and OiC UNMIK.

As part of this year’s campaign, UNMIK unveiled a global photo exhibition in Pristina showcasing powerful images captured by women photographers. The exhibition highlights the vital role of women peacebuilders, women’s rights defenders, and peacekeepers - bringing global attention to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda and their meaningful contributions to peace and security.

“The exhibition reminds us that while women often bear the heaviest impact of conflict, they are also at the heart of peacebuilding and peacemaking, strengthening trust, and driving positive change,” added Mr. Shin.

Originally launched in June 2025 at UN Headquarter in New York to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the UN Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), the exhibition is now touring the world and has arrived in Kosovo.

Captured across eleven contexts – Kosovo, Abyei, Cyprus, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Lebanon, Mozambique, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, South Sudan, and Sudan –the exhibition presents a collective story of resilience, strength, and hope. Kosovo is represented by two prominent women leaders: former President Atifete Jahjaga and Gordana Đorić, both champions of WPS and women’s rights. Their portraits were captured by Kosovo photojournalist Laura Hasani.

“Too often, the role of women in peace processes and trust building is overlooked or underrepresented,” Hasani said.

“These photos aim to change that, so the world sees and hears from the women who are rebuilding communities and leading change.”

The exhibition is on display along Mother Teresa Boulevard in Pristina, outside the Ministry of Culture, from 25 November to 10 December. Through Her Lens: Women Rising for Peace is a collaboration between the United Nations Department of Peace Operations and Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, UN Women, and the Elsie Initiative Fund.