Kosovo

Citation:

Jennings, Kathleen M., and Vesna Nikolić-Ristanović. 2009. “UN Peacekeeping Economies and Local Sex Industries: Connections and Implications.” MICROCON Working Paper 17, Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, Brighton.

Authors: Kathleen M. Jennings, Vesna Nikolić-Ristanović

Abstract:

“Peacekeeping economies” have not been subject to much analysis of either their economic or socio-cultural and political impacts. This paper uses a gendered lens to explore some ramifications and lasting implications of peacekeeping economies, drawing on examples from four post-conflict countries with past or ongoing United Nations peacekeeping missions: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Liberia, and Haiti. The paper is particularly concerned with the interplay between the peacekeeping economy and the sex industry. It examines some of the characteristics and impacts of peacekeeping economies, arguing that these are highly gendered – but that the “normalization” of peacekeeping economies allows these effects to be overlooked or obscured. It also contends that these gendered characteristics and impacts have (or are likely have) broad and lasting consequences. Finally, the paper considers the initial impacts of UN efforts to tackle negative impacts of peacekeeping economies, particularly the zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation and the effort to “mainstream” gender and promote gender equality in and through peacekeeping. The paper suggests that the existence and potential long- term perpetuation of a highly gendered peacekeeping economy threatens to undermine the gender goals and objectives that are a component of most peace operations. 

Topics: Economies, Gender, Gender Mainstreaming, International Organizations, Peacekeeping, Post-Conflict, Sexual Violence, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Trafficking, Sex Trafficking Regions: Africa, West Africa, Americas, Caribbean countries, Europe, Balkans, Eastern Europe Countries: Bosnia & Herzegovina, Haiti, Kosovo, Liberia

Year: 2009

Citation:

Corrin, Chris. 2003. “Developing Policy on Integration and Re/Construction in Kosova.” Development in Practice 13 (2/3): 189–207.

Author: Chris Corrin

Abstract:

The Gender Audit (GA) and associated reports and reviews drawn upon in this article enable an evaluation of how far the intervention processes at work in Kosova since 1999 have been inclusive of gender analysis and supportive of women's and girls' needs and interests. This assessment considers the strengths and drawbacks of various attempts to use and implement gender-sensitive projects. The GA was designed to support the emerging feminist reconstructive politics in Kosova. Its findings and recommendations tackle aspects of empowerment, equity, and opportunities, outlining some developments from community activism as well as outcomes of the international administration. By considering developments over a two-year period, it is possible to place issues of equity and opportunities in the context of change over time, with change at local and national levels linked with developing international dialogues. The article analyses local work undertaken by the Kosova Women's Network to overcome violence against women in war and domestic peace, and reviews international work engaged in by the Kosovo [sic] Women's Initiative (KWI). Many Kosovar women (of all ethnicities) do fully acknowledge their community membership, and recognise the risks involved in talking across their differences to achieve everyday security and reconciliation. International reports and reviews such as those produced in 2002 by the UN Secretary-General and UNIFEM on women, war, peace, and security, as well as the review of the KWI, allow an assessment of how dialogues are changing and what the potential impact of such change might be on policy development and implementation.

Topics: Gender, Women, Gender Analysis, Gender-Based Violence, Gendered Power Relations, Gender Equity, International Organizations, Peacebuilding, Post-Conflict, Security, Violence Regions: Europe, Balkans, Eastern Europe Countries: Kosovo

Year: 2003

Citation:

Vuniqi, Luljeta, and Sibel Halimi. 2011. Women’s Property Inheritance Rights in Kosovo. Kosovo: Kosovar for Gender Studies Center.

Authors: Luljeta Vuniqi, Sibel Halimi

Abstract:

This paper addresses the challenges of establishing clearly defined and enforced property rights for women in Kosovo. It proceeds in three parts. The first section of the paper addresses women’s property rights in Kosovo from a comparative perspective, examining the situation of Kosovar women vis-à-vis women in other former Yugoslav republics. The second part of the paper examines why there is a gap between the egalitarian property law and unequal enforcement practices in Kosovo. The third part of the paper discusses the unique opportunity the Kosovar government has in this moment to shift from de jure articulation of egalitarian property rights to the de facto enforcement of them.

Annotation:

Quotes:

“There are three important laws protecting women's property rights in Kosovo: the Law on Gender Equality; the Inheritance Law; and the Family Law. These three laws were passed by the Assembly in 2004 while Kosovo was under the supervision of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).” (11)

Topics: Gender, Women, Gendered Power Relations, Gender Equality/Inequality, Governance, Rights, Property Rights, Women's Rights Regions: Europe, Balkans, Eastern Europe Countries: Kosovo

Year: 2011

Citation:

Sion, Liora. 2009. “Can Women Make a Difference? Female Peacekeepers in Bosnia and Kosovo.” Commonwealth & Comparative Politics 47 (4): 476-93.

Author: Liora Sion

Abstract:

By using participant observation, this article analyses the participation of women in peacekeeping missions through the experience of Dutch female peacekeepers in Bosnia and Kosovo in 1999–2000. Its argument is threefold. First, it argues that although peacekeeping is a relatively new military model it reproduces the same traditional combat-oriented mindset of gender roles. Therefore, women are limited in their ability to contribute to peace missions. Second, because peacekeeping missions are perceived by peacekeepers as rather feminine, they are seen as a challenge to male combat and masculine identity. As a result, soldiers reject the participation of women and perceive them as endangering even further the missions’ prestige. Third, despite the shared difficulties, women do not support each other and tend to view the other women in a stereotypical way. This contributes to their isolation and self-disapproval.

Topics: Gender, Women, Masculinity/ies, Femininity/ies, Peacekeeping Regions: Europe, Balkans, Eastern Europe Countries: Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo

Year: 2009

Citation:

Hall-Martin, Catherina H. 2010. “Gendered Violence and UNSCR 1325 in Kosovo: Shifting Paradigms on Women, Peace and Security.” In Women, Peace and Security: Translating Policy into Practice, edited by Funmi Olonisakin, Karen Barnes, and Eka Ikpe, 37-51. New York: Routledge.

Author: Catherina H. Hall-Martin

Topics: Gender, Women, UN Security Council Resolutions on WPS, UNSCR 1325 Regions: Europe, Balkans, Eastern Europe Countries: Kosovo

Year: 2010

Citation:

Byrne, Bridget, Rachel Marcus, and Tanya Powers-Stevens. 1995. Gender, Conflict and Development Volume II: Case Studies: Cambodia; Rwanda; Kosovo; Algeria; Somalia; Guatemala and Eritrea. 35. Brighton, UK: Institute of Development Studies.

Authors: Bridget Byrne, Rachel Marcus, Tanya Powers-Stevens

Topics: Armed Conflict, Development, Gender Regions: Africa, MENA, Central Africa, East Africa, North Africa, Americas, Central America, Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, Balkans, Eastern Europe Countries: Algeria, Cambodia, Eritrea, Guatemala, Kosovo, Rwanda, Somalia

Year: 1995

Citation:

Krasniqi, Vjollca. 2007. “Imagery, Gender and Power: The Politics of Representation in Post-War Kosovo.” Feminist Review 86 (1): 1–23.

Author: Vjollca Krasniqi

Abstract:

The article focuses on the politics of representation in Kosova since the United Nations took over 'peace management' in 1999. It uses UN propaganda posters (political pedagogy) and local nationalist political advertising as a way to read the multiple gendered discourses of representation. It shows how gender is used relationally between competing forces-the 'international community' and nationalists-as a tool to ensure UN's imposition of Western policies and norms and as a mechanism for local politicians to consolidate their domination of the domestic/private sphere. Moreover, it discusses the price paid to mimic the West: how Kosovar politicians have sought to 'undo' national identity in favour of a Western self-representation through a gendered abnegation of Islam. Thus, as an intrinsic part of the discourse of 'peace-building', these images represent the site of power production, domination, negotiation, and rejection, involving the collaboration of different actors, institutions, and individuals. Three specific points will be made: first, the article seeks to show that a Western political modernization discourse has, paradoxically, reinforced patriarchal relations of power and traditional gender roles in Kosova through the subjugation of women. Second, it explains the inability to resolve competing Albanian narratives — one relying on the legacy of peaceful resistance and the other on the armed struggle against Serbian domination during the 1990s. Third, through the intermeshing of international peace-keepers and local nationalist patriarchs, it will show how the militarization of culture is perpetuated through, and in relationship togender.

Keywords: Kosova, Gender, peacekeeping, images, representations, patriarchies

Topics: Armed Conflict, Gender, International Organizations, Peacebuilding, Post-Conflict Reconstruction Regions: Europe, Baltic states, Balkans, Eastern Europe Countries: Albania, Kosovo

Year: 2007

Citation:

Sion, Liora. 2008. “Peacekeeping and the Gender Regime.” Journal of Contemporary Ethnography 37 (5): 561–585.

Author: Liora Sion

Abstract:

This article addresses the issue of women participation in peacekeeping missions by focusing on two North Atlantic Treaty Organization Dutch peacekeeping units in Bosnia (SFOR8) and Kosovo (KFOR2). I argue that soldiers are ambivalent toward what is perceived the “feminine” aspects of peace missions. Although peacekeeping is a new military model, it reproduces the same traditional combat-oriented mind-set of gender roles. Therefore Dutch female soldiers are limited in their ability to perform and contribute to peace missions. Both peacekeeping missions and female soldiers are confusing for the soldiers, especially for the more hypermasculine Bulldog infantry soldiers. Both represent a blurred new reality in which the comfort of the all-male unit and black-and-white combat situations are replaced by women in what were traditionally men's roles and the fuzzy environment of peacekeeping. At the same time, both are also necessary: peacekeeping, although not desirable, has become the main function for Dutch soldiers, and women are still a small minority, although they gain importance in the army. Present government policy prescribes a gender mainstreaming approach to recruiting, partly due to a lack of qualified male personnel, especially after the end of the draft in 1996.

Keywords: women, peacekeeping, Dutch, exclusion, NATO

Topics: Armed Conflict, Combatants, Gender, Gender Roles, Femininity/ies, International Organizations, Military Forces & Armed Groups, Militaries, Peacekeeping Regions: Europe, Balkans, Eastern Europe Countries: Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo

Year: 2008

Citation:

Mertus, Julie. 2000. War’s Offensive on Women: The Humanitarian Challenge in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Afghanistan. Bloomfield, CT: Kumarian Press.

Author: Julie Mertus

Abstract:

* Case studies from Bosnia, Kosovo, and Afghanistan tackle human rights laws and gender-based violence

War's Offensive on Women contends that humanitarian groups’ attempts to provide assistance and protection for women will fall short unless they make women major actors in such efforts. Mertus shows how human rights laws are beginning to address gender-based violence, and how agencies can respond to women’s needs in conflict and post-conflict settings. The book is of wide interest to humanitarian and human rights practitioners, policymakers, and students alike. (Amazon)

Topics: Armed Conflict, Gender, Women, Humanitarian Assistance Regions: Asia, South Asia, Europe, Balkans, Eastern Europe Countries: Afghanistan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo

Year: 2000

Citation:

Milojevic, Ivana. 2003. “Gender and the 1999 War in and Around Kosovo.” Social Alternatives 22 (2): 28-36.

Author: Ivana Milojevic

Abstract:

No war has taken place without being influenced by society's gender politics. In turn, each war has, as well, influenced gender relationships. But even with all the development of feminist theory, gender is rarely seen as a factor influencing the shape, meaning and prosecution of wars. The 1999 war in and around Kosovo, Serbia was no exception to this. Political and military leaders all claimed to be leading politics in the interest of their people, irrespective of gender. The 1999 war in Kosovo was, in general, seen as gender irrelevant, except, for propaganda purposes where each side stressed out the  suffering of women. This article challenges the gender neutrality of this particular war. It also discusses how gender relationships and masculinities defined by patriarchy influenced this conflict. And lastly, the article concludes by arguing that long-term changes in gender relationships and abandonment of dominant worldview are crucial in building a more peaceful world. To move towards societies that promote more lasting peace it is needed to move both beyond social hierarchical arrangements as well as from international politics that legitimizes violence. Neither is possible without abandoning patriarchy.

Topics: Armed Conflict, Ethnic/Communal Wars, Gender, Women, Masculinity/ies, Gendered Power Relations, Patriarchy Regions: Europe, Balkans, Eastern Europe Countries: Kosovo

Year: 2003