By Mimoza Gavrani
Women’s rights remain one of the key challenges for the development of Kosovo’s society,
especially regarding their right to inherit property and participate equally in the economy. As
someone who has a decade-long experience in conducting fieldwork and social
research in the direct contact with Roma women in Kosovo, I ask myself constantly:
Why are Roma women not considered significant economic and political contributors in the
Kosovo society?
The answer could be found in a combination of illiteracy, patriarchal mindsets, property
rights issues, and various forms of violations against women. Roma women in particular face
an uphill battle in their daily struggle to know and exercise their rights. Their reality is one
marred by cultural traditions, systemic discrimination, and a lack of proper policy
implementation.
To better understand the everyday existence of Roma women in Kosovo, I recalled the Judith
Butler’s theoretical work in “Precarious Life” where this legendary gender studies scholar
poses critical questions: Who counts as human? Whose lives count as lives? 1
At the same time, Edward W. Said argues in his essay “Memory, Inequality, and
Power: Palestine and the Universality of Human Rights 2 ” that “you cannot deal with
the Other without a profound knowledge of his or her culture, society and history.” In
my understanding, the current position of Roma women in Kosovo is nothing new,
but rather a continuation of historical neglect and structural barriers, mostly in the
possession of knowledge as a power tool. Their daily lives are not valued equally,
blocking them from contributing to the economy and participating in political decisions as
active citizens.
Violence against Roma women is not always physical; it often manifests as political
inequality, entrenched through laws, traditions, and customs. Despite legal protections, the
cultural practice of “kanun,” which denies women the right to inherit property, persists. This
ignorance and the continued use of outdated customs keep Roma women from asserting their
rights.
The international community’s sporadic interventions since 1999 have not yielded substantial
changes. Roma women often find themselves used as data points for research rather than as
active participants in their own empowerment. The promise of betterment from international
visits often leads to disappointment, leaving these women in a continuous state of hope and
despair.
It is imperative to understand that Roma women are experts in their own lives and needs.
Their voices should be at the forefront of any effort to address their marginalization.
Economic empowerment is crucial, not just for individual women but for the stability and
development of the entire community.
While there have been some efforts, such as setting quotas for female representation in
political institutions, the implementation has been inconsistent. True change requires more
than token gestures; it demands a commitment to dismantling the structural barriers that
perpetuate inequality.
Instead of conclusion, I call upon all of us to acknowledge and understand the struggle of
Roma Women, their humanity and tiresome work to create a society where they can thrive as
equals. We must act now to prevent another generation of Roma women from living and
dying in silence.
1 Butler. J. (2006) Precarious Life “The Powers of Mourning and Violence”London: Verso, pg.
20.
2 Said. E.(2004) Memory, Inequality, and Power: Palestine and the Universality of Human
Rights, pg18