Date of Award

Spring 5-18-2024

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Advisor(s)

Dr. Sarah Eltantawi

Second Advisor

Kate Wilson, Ph.D.

Abstract

Two decades after the gender-based violence weaponized in the Balkan Wars, women in the region have acted as catalysts for social and political change. In Kosovo, the journey of women in challenging patriarchal ideologies exemplifies this broader movement. This study examines one feminist NGO, QIKA, tracing its multiple strategies ranging from protests to menstrual product distribution to respond to aspects of violence against women and girls. The cultural qualities in Kosovo reflect both Albanian and Islamic influences, embodying conservative patriarchal norms. In this research, I explore the ways in which women activists employ certain strategies in addressing gender inequalities within this conservative context. This case study highlights the underrepresented contemporary activism of Kosovar women, often overshadowed by existing scholarship focused on the Kosovo-Serbia War and post-war advocacy related to war crimes. Therefore, my research bridges the gap by examining the advocacy of current Kosovar women in confronting the social fabric that continues to aid in their oppression. To do so, I utilize the gender-analysis framework with a feminist lens to focus on the theme of the othering of women’s bodies; including menstrual stigma (and tax), physical violence and sexual violence against women. The project analyzes gender in social, religious, and political ideologies to adequately understand the obstacles faced by QIKA, and how they strategize around them. Based on direct field observation and reflexive recollection from over 9 months in Kosovo (2019-2023); social media posts; informal interviews with NGO representatives, political figures, and civilians, I was able to assemble my data for research. Upon completion, this case study unveils the formidable challenges faced by women's activism in Kosovo, stemming from diverse sources within the home, the country's Muslim influences, and the ethnic conservatism of Albanians. Notably, the perceptions of women's bodies remain a continuous target of societal attacks. QIKA's strategic response to these structural inequalities highlights that feminist action in Kosovo operates on a collective level, advocating for the emancipation of all women in the country. The study underscores the intricate interplay of societal, religious, and cultural factors that shape and impede feminist movements in conservative societies like Kosovo. While particularly pertinent to Balkan and Muslim-majority societies, the research also addresses broader global resistance movements. It underscores the transformative power of collective action in fostering enduring social and political change. Additionally, it explores the interconnectedness of feminist movements worldwide, examining their mutual influence across historical, contemporary, and future contexts.

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