Pro Wo+Man aims to build the capacities of CSOs, Labor Unions and other institutions in Kosovo in gender mainstreaming as a means to achieve gender equality and improve the representation of needs and demands of underrepresented groups (women or men), by empowering and enabling them to take part in decision-making processes.

This project started as a response to the context of gender equality in Kosovo in 2013. By understanding that Kosovo was a male-dominated country, and that women’s participation was limited in all levels of society, regardless of different laws and strategies inciting women empowerment. We found that through a different gender sensitive approach, respectively gender mainstreaming, women’s participation could be augmented.

PRO WO + MAN project has developed its tools and products to improve the gender equality activity:

–          The first-of-its-kind platform (www.pengenderhub.org), provides educational tools and materials for gender equality

–          Gender Mainstreaming Manual – assists organizations, trade unions, and other institutions in adopting appropriate gender perspectives and policies that encourage increased participation of underrepresented groups in all aspects of the working environment;

–          Policy briefs on the gender context in the country and study circles for open discussion between men and women from civil society, trade unions and public institutions;

–          Video-animations about the Kosovo context in terms of gender equality, research and campaigning;

–          Gender Equality bootcamp, training modules for gender mainstreaming with students;

–          Coaching sessions of OPIC partner organizations and other CSOs and labor unions on gender mainstreaming in internal documents (statute, code of conduct, PR strategy, Gender policy etc.)

–          PRO WO+MAN Gender Resource Hub in the PEN organization with different books and materials for gender equality.

Since 2013, PRO WO+MAN held 52 trainings (coaching sessions, study circles and bootcamps) with different stakeholders, influencing networking and cooperation of civil society and trade unions in promoting gender equality. This year, the students of social sciences were also involved in workshops for gender mainstreaming in culture and arts, as part of the FemArt Festival 2017.

The other impact of the project on society can be assessed by training partner organizations in adapting appropriate gender policies including the gender perspective in their work. Thus making gender equality an integral part of all activities at all organizational levels as well as in programs /projects.

Every end of year, the institution that has achieved equal gender representation in decision-making structures will be awarded with the Gender Equality Award, as a recognition to its positive influence in gender equality.

This project is supported by the Olof Palme International Center – OPIC and funded by the Swedish Government.

This project contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals: