The OGA in Action

Quarterly Meetings of the SRSG with Kosovo Women Leaders

The practice of the quarterly meetings of the SRSG with Kosovo women leaders was established at the beginning of 2005 in compliance with UNSCR 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security, and with the objective to create a formal mechanism for women leaders and representatives of women's NGOs to voice their concerns and articulate their proposals directly to the highest UN authority in Kosovo. Four sessions were organised on 18 January, 9 March, 7 September and 16 December. The initiative was launched by the UNMIK Office of Gender Affairs (OGA) with a special session held on 17 January. On that occasion, the list of participants was consolidated and the Terms of Reference of the Secretariat were discussed and approved upon.

These meetings have introduced the SRSG to women actors and started up an open dialogue on problems faced by women's organizations and women leaders for their full participation in the current political scenario and the negotiations leading to the definition of the future status of Kosovo. The exchange of views has also included legislative and executive matters leading to the advancement of women in elected bodies, the participation of women belonging to minority communities in the context of social development and the eradication of gender-based violence. All these items have been linked to the fulfilment of the Standards for Kosovo that integrate gender-sensitive objectives and key related actions responding to women's expectations. Furthermore, the OGA has facilitated a number of meetings between Kosovo women leaders and the Mission leadership (including the SRSG, the DSRSG for Police and Justice, the Deputy Commissioner for KPS Administration) in order to tackle issues of particular concern.

The OGA has also regularly organised meetings between women's organisations and high-level political missions to Kosovo. In particular, in 2005 women's groups had the opportunity to interact directly with the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ms Louise Fréchette, and the Special Envoy for the comprehensive review of the Standards for Kosovo, Ambassador Kai Eide. Inn 2006 the OGA orchestrated a meeting between Kosovo women leaders and the Special Envoy, Mr Martti Ahtisaari.

The press release of the SRSG on the importance of women's participation in the status talks and the Terms of Reference of the OGA as the Secretariat of the quarterly meetings of the SRSG with Kosovo women leaders.

The SRSG had previously publicly highlighted the relevance of women’s contribution to this process and his position was reported by the local press. Upon suggestion of the OGA, the SRSG also tackled this issue with the Prime Minister and recommended him to urge political parties to take the necessary actions. In addition, UNMIK discussed the topic of the inclusion of women in the political negotiations on the future status with foreign delegations visiting Kosovo and Member States representations to the United Nations in New York.