The Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Donika Gërvalla also the National Coordinator for Protection from Domestic Violence, Violence against Women and Gender-Based Violence, opened today the first Inter-Ministerial meeting against violence.

Minister Gërvalla stressed out in her opening remarks that Kosovo has made fundamental steps in strengthening protection from violence that resulted in strengthening of the legal framework, advancement of public policies, improvement of inter-institutional coordination, expansion of support services for victims, as well as in the increase of social awareness about this phenomenon.

She singled out the adoption of the Law on Prevention and Protection from Domestic Violence, Violence against Women and Gender-Based Violence as one of the most important achievements, as well as the increased awareness that every case reported awaits a legitimate professional, sensitive and responsible action by institutions.

“Every woman, every girl, in fact every person who faces violence should know that the institutions will be there for them, that their voice will be heard and that their safety will remain our priority”, said Minister Gërvalla.

Speaking of the role of the Coordination Group, she said combating violence is not the responsibility of a single institution. Rather it requires continuous coordination, vision, close cooperation and joint commitment from all responsible institutions.

“As the end of the National Strategy 2022–2026 approaches, it is important that we begin planning new priorities, based on the experience to date, the recommendations of our partners and the real needs of citizens”, said Minister Gërvalla. At the conclusion of the meeting, Minister Gërvalla reiterated that success in this field is not measured by the number of strategies or mechanisms created, but by the security offered to citizens, the trust that is built and the lives that we manage to protect.