Kosovo’s survivors of sexual violence launch hope-filled market

Each work symbolizes the story of women survivors of sexual violence during the war in Kosovo. Their colorful works were exhibited today at the “Empowerment Fair - Products with a Story of Life and Endurance” in Pristina. For three consecutive days, artisanal and agricultural products made by these women will be promoted and sold at “Adem Jashari” Square, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

This fair was organized by "Medica Gjakova" with the support of the United Nations Trust Fund and in cooperation with partner organizations of the "Be a Voice" platform.

"The goal of the fair is to give another story of the products of survivors, because we want to focus on economic empowerment. All the products that are exhibited here are made by the hands of the survivors, with whom we work. And our goal is to contribute as little as possible to their economic empowerment, to advocate for the power that they have and to give another tone to the painful story that they have gone through and how they have overcome this pain with strength," says Dorina Babuni Krelani from Medica Gjakova, reports KosovaPress.

Paintings, frames, looms, bags, all made by the hands of women who were sexually abused in the war. In addition, agro-cultural products were also exhibited at the fair.

"People who come here to the fair, I should mention that it is three days in Pristina, from May 19 to 21, can see various handmade products, such as paintings, hand-made looms or bags. As well as agro-cultural products, honey, nuts, various homemade jams. Then there are handmade brooches, there are different frames, with different decorations and everything that can be imagined from handwork can be found here," she adds.

All money raised from the sale of these products will go to survivors of sexual violence.

"All profits from the sales of these products go to the survivors who worked for them. And it is very important because economic empowerment gives another position to the woman in the family, it gives another position of healing within oneself, because we all know how much stronger we feel when we are more economically stable. Therefore, it is very important to contribute by purchasing the products, no matter how small the value, it is important to contribute because we give another power to the survivors”, she concludes.

This fair is organized in the seven largest municipalities of Kosovo, where after Pristina it will open in Gjakova, Prizren, Peja, Ferizaj, Gjilan and South Mitrovica.

The number of people raped during the recent war in Kosovo is unknown, but reports suggest around twenty thousand. Their stories are not known because survivors still fear stigma and prejudice, and remain silent.