Women During and After the Kosovo War: Survivors, Fighters, and the Struggle for Justice
Faculty Advisor Name
Sambo Muzata
Department
Department of Political Science
Description
This project explores the multifaceted roles of women during and after the Kosovo War (1998–1999), highlighting their experiences as survivors, fighters, and key advocates for justice and reconciliation. The Kosovo War was marked by significant human rights violations, including sexual violence, displacement, and mass killings, which disproportionately affected women. Women were not only victims but also played critical roles as combatants, caretakers, and political activists. Through a combination of historical analysis, survivor testimonies, and sociological research, this project examines how women navigated the immediate impacts of war, including trauma and displacement, while also contributing to post-war recovery and peacebuilding.
The project addresses three key dimensions:
- Survivors: The widespread use of sexual violence as a weapon of war left lasting physical and psychological scars. Women’s resilience and coping mechanisms, as well as the long-term social and cultural consequences, are examined.
- Fighters: Many women actively participated in the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), challenging traditional gender roles. Their involvement in armed resistance and the challenges they faced during and after the war are analyzed.
- The Struggle for Justice: Post-war Kosovo saw women at the forefront of demanding justice for war crimes and advocating for the recognition of survivors' rights. The project explores how women-led organizations have shaped transitional justice efforts and policy reforms
This research contributes to the fields of gender studies, conflict resolution, and Balkan history by filling gaps in the historical narrative of the Kosovo War and highlighting the gendered dimensions of conflict and post-conflict recovery. It underscores the importance of incorporating women’s voices in peacebuilding and transitional justice processes.
Women During and After the Kosovo War: Survivors, Fighters, and the Struggle for Justice
This project explores the multifaceted roles of women during and after the Kosovo War (1998–1999), highlighting their experiences as survivors, fighters, and key advocates for justice and reconciliation. The Kosovo War was marked by significant human rights violations, including sexual violence, displacement, and mass killings, which disproportionately affected women. Women were not only victims but also played critical roles as combatants, caretakers, and political activists. Through a combination of historical analysis, survivor testimonies, and sociological research, this project examines how women navigated the immediate impacts of war, including trauma and displacement, while also contributing to post-war recovery and peacebuilding.
The project addresses three key dimensions:
- Survivors: The widespread use of sexual violence as a weapon of war left lasting physical and psychological scars. Women’s resilience and coping mechanisms, as well as the long-term social and cultural consequences, are examined.
- Fighters: Many women actively participated in the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), challenging traditional gender roles. Their involvement in armed resistance and the challenges they faced during and after the war are analyzed.
- The Struggle for Justice: Post-war Kosovo saw women at the forefront of demanding justice for war crimes and advocating for the recognition of survivors' rights. The project explores how women-led organizations have shaped transitional justice efforts and policy reforms
This research contributes to the fields of gender studies, conflict resolution, and Balkan history by filling gaps in the historical narrative of the Kosovo War and highlighting the gendered dimensions of conflict and post-conflict recovery. It underscores the importance of incorporating women’s voices in peacebuilding and transitional justice processes.
