Kosovo launches first Women in Security Network, signs memorandums
The Jahjaga Foundation launched on Monday the Women in Security Network, which aims to serve as a supportive mechanism complementing existing institutional security structures. During the ceremony, a memorandum of cooperation was also signed with the Kosovo Police, the Kosovo Security Force, the Police Inspectorate, and other institutions, KosovaPress reports.
The founder of the Jahjaga Foundation, Atifete Jahjaga, stated that Kosovo is the first case in the world to launch such a network.
The former president, Jahjaga, said that the network is a supportive mechanism that complements existing structures but does not replace their mandates.
“Today we are launching something that will serve not only women but also our security institutions in the country. Women are an active part of our security institutions, and we have demonstrated this for decades; their contribution, and yours, is undeniable in policing, protection, institutional oversight, and emergency management… The network is designed as a supportive mechanism that complements existing structures; it does not replace mandates or competencies but strengthens them for professional cooperation and ongoing dialogue. Through this network, participating women can share best practices, learn from each other, and build joint initiatives,” she said.
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The executive director of the Jahjaga Foundation, Egzona Bexheti, stated that this network represents a “strategic turning point for Kosovo by going beyond the aspiration for equality.”
“There can be no sustainable security without the full meaningful participation of women. The foundation of the Women in Security Network marks a strategic turning point in Kosovo, going beyond the aspiration for equality. This network will serve as a bridge for cooperation in a space where professionalism and women’s dedication translate into decision-making power in service of society as a whole,” she said.
Meanwhile, the chargé d’affaires in Kosovo from the Embassy of the Netherlands, Desiree Bonis, stated that women remain underrepresented in the security sector. She emphasized that the Women in Security Network is an investment in long-term change.
“The Netherlands strongly believes that security institutions gain legitimacy and lawfulness when they are rooted in accountability and inclusiveness. We know that challenges in the security sector exist in Kosovo and are neither abstract nor new; unstable trust between civil society and the northern part of Kosovo affects public security and social cohesion. At the same time, women remain largely underrepresented in security institutions, particularly in leadership and decision-making roles, with participation rates ranging from 10–12% up to 30%. With the establishment of this network, it is implied that this is not just a platform but an investment in people, leadership, and long-term change,” she said.
The launch of the Women in Security Network was supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kosovo through the Matra project.