UNIFEM UK: Working for women's empowerment and gender equality

Progress for Women Is Progress for All

UNIFEM Goodwill ambassador Nicole Kiddman visits Kosovo

October 2006

UNIFEM Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman undertook a two-day visit to Kosovo on 14 and 15 October with Executive Director Noeleen Heyzer. The visit gave Ms Kidman an opportunity to learn first hand about the experiences of women in Kosovo and UNIFEM efforts to support them. She talked to war widows, women who had been victims of sexual violence and women who are still searching for missing family members. She also met women leaders and representatives from civil society

'I was very moved by the many women I met during my Kosovo trip. I learned so much from the experiences that they were willing to share – they spoke about how violence has disrupted their lives and the lives of their children. They talked to me about the tragedy of losing sons and husbands, but they also inspired me with their determination to build a better future for themselves and their families, and to claim their rights as individuals and citizens'
Nicole Kidman

Image of a meeting with Nicole Kidman

The establishment of UN control over war-torn Kosovo ushered in an era of new possibilities for women there. UNIFEM established a presence in Kosovo right after the war in 1999 and has been instrumental in working with other UN partners as well as national women's groups to advocate for women's rights and participation in the provisional government, the peace process and the economy. Kosovo's economy and political institutions had to be rebuilt almost from scratch. International support has helped create progressive new laws and structures, including those that represent a great leap forward in protecting women's rights.

Image of Nicole Kidman and a lady

Following their visit to Kosovo, Executive Director Noeleen Heyzer said that she and Ms Kidman were calling urgently for three provisions to safeguard women –

'First, governments and armies must put a stop to using rape as a weapon of war. Second, we are asking that all rape victims in war and conflict be compensated. Third, we ask for greater justice for women, including support for witnesses who testify against the perpetrators of crimes against them. Too often these courageous women are victimised twice – once by the crime and then by the experience of seeking justice.'

These issues will be raised by the Executive Director when she addresses the United Nations Security Council on 26 October on Women, Peace and Security. She has also announced that UNIFEM is committed to raising additional resources for its Trust Fund to Eliminate Violence against Women and to increasing support for work in conflict-affected countries.

I hope many others will join with me and UNIFEM to help bring an end to violence everywhere, Nicole Kidman said.

To find out more about UNIFEM projects in Kosovo, go to www.unifem.org/attachments/goodwill_ambassadors/UNIFEMinKosovo_200610.pdf on the UNIFEM New York web site.

You can now donate securely online (and qualify for gift aid)

News stories

news archive

How you can help:

The projects undertaken by UNIFEM make a difference to the everyday lives of women around and their families around the world. UNIFEM UK needs your support to help fund this work and to raise awareness of the issues affecting women's rights and security.