Today is the Day of Mourning in Kosovo in memory of the women and girls who were victims of femicide, which was declared by Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani after two women were killed in that country in less than a week.
On Friday, Valon Aliu killed his ex-wife in the Center for Social Work in Uruševac, and on Monday, during a protest walk in the center of Pristina, the citizens of Kosovo demanded greater security for girls and women in Kosovo.
Edmond Lajćiu killed his wife in Peja yesterday while the Women, Peace and Security Forum was being held in Pristina, and more than fifty women have been killed in Kosovo in the last thirteen years.
The President of Kosovo called on security and judicial institutions, civil society, citizens, women and men to work together to stop gender-based violence that can destroy the country from within.
The American Embassy extended the observance of the Day of Mourning in Kosovo, and American flags were lowered to half-mast.
“Recent murders and acts of domestic violence highlight the urgent need to do more to solve and prevent all forms of violence against women and girls. We must strive to build societies where every individual can live without fear and harm,” said the American ambassador to Kosovo, Jeff Hovenier.
The German ambassador to Kosovo, Jorn Rohde, said that the latest cases of gender-based violence are shocking for everyone and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.
“Recent cases of gender-based violence are shocking for everyone. We join the people of Kosovo today on the Day of Mourning and express our condolences to those who are suffering from their losses. In parallel with the Women, Peace and Security Forum, we emphasize our commitment to work to end gender-based violence,” Rohde wrote on the X social network.
