The Deputy Minister of Justice Mr. Genc Nimoni, participated in the official ceremony of signing the Memorandum of Understanding between the municipalities of Pristina, Obiliq, Lipjan, Podujevo, Fushë Kosovë, and the Center for the Protection of Women and Children in Pristina. The event was also attended by the Head of the OSCE Mission to the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Gerard McGurk, mayors and deputy mayors of municipalities, as well as representatives of institutions and civil organizations.

In his speech, Deputy Minister Nimoni described this memorandum as an important step in strengthening institutional support for victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence, and ensuring sustainability and quality of services provided by shelters.

He expressed the commitment of the Ministry of Justice in taking important steps to strengthening the protection system, mentioning the adoption of the Law on Prevention and Protection from Domestic Violence, Violence against Women and Gender-Based Violence, the drafting and implementation of the National Strategy, the functioning of coordination mechanisms at the central and local levels, as well as the establishment of the Support Secretariat of the National Coordinator for Protection from Domestic Violence, Violence against Women and Gender-Based Violence.

Despite all the commitment, Deputy Minister Nimoni underlined that a joint and coordinated commitment of all institutions from central to local levels is needed.

“This is why this memorandum is important and today we are witnessing a real model of cooperation between five municipalities; Prishtina, Obiliq, Lipjan, Podujevë and Fushë Kosovë to provide funding for the shelter, in full compliance with the Istanbul Convention as well as with the relevant local legislation”, he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Office of the National Coordinator against Domestic Violence, Artë Ademi Bajrami, presented before participants an outline of the Ministry of Justice active commitment to support women and children in vulnerable situations.

“One of the main pillars of this commitment was strengthening of the social and family services. In this regard, we have marked an increase by over 100% in financial support for shelters and organizations providing services to survivors, reaching over 8.2 million euros in support during the period 2021–2025”, said, among other things, Ms. Ademi-Bajrami.

In conclusion, Deputy Minister Nimoni thanked the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, the participating municipalities and the Center for the Protection of Women and Children for their continued commitment, adding the way we protect the most vulnerable is the fairest measure of justice, humanity, responsibility and institutional support.