As Europe’s youngest democracy, Kosovo has made significant progress in advancing the rights of women. Article 7 of the constitution, issued in 2008 after the country gained unilateral independence, “ensures gender equality as a fundamental value for the democratic development of the society, providing equal opportunities for both female and male participation in the political, economic, social, cultural and other areas of societal life.” In 2011, the country elected its first female president and four years later introduced an updated Law on Gender Equality, which guaranteed equal opportunity and treatment in political and public life. Although legislation grants Kosovars equal rights, the country’s patriarchal structure and traditional social norms restrict women from access to property ownership and obtaining financial assistance. Moreover, surveys conducted by the Kosovo Statistic Agency and UNICEF in 2015 showed that nearly half of all women in the country had experienced gender-based violence. Despite these challenges, women’s status in Kosovo is improving, thanks in part to human rights NGOs such as the Kosovo Women’s Network who are holding the government to account to ensure gender equality actually is a fundamental value. In the nation’s 2021 election women won nearly 40 percent of the seats in Parliament, which was the highest percentage in the country’s history.
Sport in Kosovo has been used not only as a tool for social development within the country but also as a way to build peace and promote international recognition. Soccer, basketball, and handball are the most popular team sports for women with their national basketball team placing third at the 2021 European Championship for Small Countries. Female athletes also excel on the international stage in combat sports including judo, taekwondo, and boxing. In 2014, Kosovo was recognized as a full member state by the International Olympic Committee, and two years later, five athletes became the first women to represent Kosovo in the Olympics. Majlinda Kelmendi won a gold medal in judo at the 2016 Games to become the first woman from Kosovo to win an Olympic medal.
Meet and support global leaders creating change in Kosovo:
Elvira Dushku
Blerina Imeri
How does Kosovo compare to other countries?
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Women in Leadership
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT AS OF 2020
33%
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN MINISTRY POSITIONS AS OF 2020
36%
Has a Woman Ever Been Head of State or Head of Government?
Atifete Jahjaga, 2011 - 2016
Vjosa Osmani, 2020 - Present
HAS A WOMAN EVER BEEN SPORTS MINISTER?
Unknown
Title IX Timeline
1991
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the area of present-day Kosovo was controlled by Serbia.
1998
The war of independence between the Kosovo Liberation Army and Serbian forces began.
1999
The war of independence ended with the passage of a UN Security Council resolution, establishment of a NATO peacekeeping force in Kosovo, and limited autonomy for the newly established government in Kosovo.
2008
On February 17, the Kosovo Assembly declared independence and full autonomy from Serbia and women gained the right to vote (full suffrage).
2011
Atifete Jahjaga became the first female President of Kosovo.
2014
Kosovo signed the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, affirming that peace and security efforts are more sustainable when women are equal partners in the prevention of violent conflict, the delivery of relief and recovery efforts and in the forging of lasting peace.
2016
Five athletes became the first women to represent Kosovo in the Olympics and Majlinda Kelmendi won a gold medal in judo to become the first woman from Kosovo to win an Olympic medal.
Women in the olympics
participation through the years
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Women in the Paralympics
participation through the years
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Elite Sports Participation
First Year Women Participated In The Olympics
2016
Year Women’s Participation In Olympics Was Equal To Men’s
2016
First Time A Woman Won An Olympic Medal
Majlinda Kelmendi: 2016, Judo (Gold)
First Year Women Participated In The Paralympics
The first woman could be you!
First Time A Woman Won A Paralympic Medal
The first woman could be you!
FIFA
Fédération Internationale de Football Association
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
2013
Pay Gap Comparison
Paid Less than the Men's Team as of 2022
Gender Initiatives
FIFA is committed to the growth and development of women’s football around the globe.
For More Information
FIBA
Fédération Internationale de Basketball
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
2021
Pay Gap Comparison
Pay Unknown
Gender Initiatives
Kosovo Basketball Federation implements FIBA Foundation’s Mini Basketball Program as part of the Basketball for Good initiative to improve the health and well-being of 5-12 year old children.
Increasing the participation of women in basketball at all levels was named as one of FIBA’s eight strategic objectives (2019- 2027) and one of FIBA’s three strategic priorities (2019-2023).
For More Information
FIBA Foundation’s Mini Basketball Program
FIBA Strategic Objectives
