Survivors of wartime sexual violence in Kosovo were officially recognized in 2018, significantly later than other war victim categories, following years of advocacy by NGOs for women’s rights.
Over 2,100 victims of wartime sexual violence have been recognized, with 96% being of Albanian nationality, raising concerns about the neglect of minority victims in public discourse.
The story of Šehrije Baljaj, a Romani woman who testified about her rape in 1999, highlights the struggles of minority victims, as she passed away before her application for recognition was processed.
- ‘Nobody Mentions Us’: Silence Surrounds Wartime Rape of Kosovo’s Ethnic Minorities. In: Balkan Insight. 22.07.2026. https://balkaninsight.com/2026/07/22/nobody-mentions-us-silence-surrounds-wartime-rape-of-kosovos-ethnic-minorities/btj/
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