On 22 June, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General and Deputy Head of UNMIK, Mr. Christopher Coleman, addressed a group of 200 survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in Shëngjin, Albania. The event was organized by the Jahjaga Foundation under the UNMIK-supported programme “Economic Empowerment of Women Survivors of Conflict-related Sexual Violence.”

During the event, which was opened together with former President of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga, DSRSG Coleman stated that greater efforts are needed to strengthen support mechanisms, raise public awareness, and mobilize public support for survivors in Kosovo. He also stressed the need for increased efforts to ensure that all survivors, from all ethnicities, have equal access to justice and highlighted the essential role of social and economic reintegration programmes in empowering survivors and ensuring their active participation in society.

The three-day event, which gathered survivors from across Kosovo, provided an important platform for identifying further steps to support survivors, particularly regarding their economic empowerment and access to justice.

During the event, UNMIK underlined its commitment to continue supporting organizations at the forefront of efforts to address the social, psychological and economic needs of survivors in Kosovo.