The program is organized in the framework of the Orange the World international campaign.Continue reading
Today, Hungary Helps Agency held a conference on their new project supporting women living in Kosovo who are victims of gender-based violence. CREATResili is a proposal co-funded by the Creative Europe Program, starting on January 1, 2024 with a Hungarian-Kosovar-Albanian consortium led by the Hungary Helps Agency.
The main goal of the 22-month-long project is to create a program where creativity promotes the resilience of vulnerable communities and social awareness. By using the tools of social design, CREATResili primarily supports women living in Kosovo who are exposed to gender-based violence. These marginalized women do not have a strong social network, nor are they able to rebuild their lives, as they have to deal with unresolved trauma and a lack of livelihood opportunities.
Barna Petrányi, Gergely Böszörményi-Nagy, Péter Kovács, former President Atifete Jahjaga, and Ereza Gjikolli (L-R) after the signing of the consortium. Photo via Hungary Today
In order to address this sensitive issue, the consortium members of the CREATResili are eager to develop an international model by organizing workshops by professionals for those women, who have experienced abuse, to create and sell creative, self-expressive design products.
The women participating in this project will be able to gain income and get the opportunity to break out of abusive relationships.
Bags made by women who escaped violent relationships. Photo via Facebook/Jahjaga Foundation
Through the creation and presentation of these products, they can tell and process their personal stories, and give visibility to the problem of violence against women to the international public.
In a wider geographical sense, the project could have a significant positive impact on women’s empowerment in the Western Balkans region.
CREATResili builds on cross-sectoral collaboration as it brings together a governmental humanitarian and development agency (Hungary Helps Agency, Hungary), an artistic hub (Pro Progressione, Hungary), an NGO working with women who have experienced abuse (Jahjaga Foundation, Kosovo) and an e-commerce company (Gjirafa, Albania). Furthermore, the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME) joins the consortium as an associated partner, with its professional network and comprehensive knowledge in the field of social design.
Photo via Hungary Today
Women in Kosovo face significant socio-economic barriers that prevent them from leaving abusive situations and living long-term lives free from fear and violence. In 2017, only 17% of women in Kosovo were formally employed compared to 50% of men, and in 2021, only 18% of assets were owned by women compared to 79% of men. In addition, women are often excluded from family inheritance, and the division of property between spouses in divorce proceedings tends to disadvantage women.
When survivors do try to leave an abusive situation, they are at best only given initial protection and short-term support, but are then left on their own to try to rebuild their lives, with insufficient support to access housing, skills, or employment.
This is not the first time that Hungary plays a vital role in a project concerning Kosovo. After the country gained independence from Serbia in 2008, riots started as not all countries in Europe recognize Kosovo as an independent state. Therefore, the Kosovo Force (KFOR) a NATO-led international peacekeeping force in Kosovo, increased its presence. Hungarian soldiers have been taking part in Balkan operations since 1995, in the interests of the country’s security policy. Hungary has been contributing regular officers and a contingent to the NATO-led KFOR operation since 1999. Currently, there are around 400 Hungarian officers serving the KFOR.
Featured image via Pexels
