Kosovo holds solidarity march for women sexually harassed, raped during Independence war

By Eren Beksac, Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Kosovo held a solidarity march Friday for women who were sexually harassed and raped during the independence war between 1998 and 1999.

The march was organized in the capital, Pristina, by the Presidency of Kosovo and the Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture with the support of Justice Minister Albulena Haxhiu.

Haxhiu pledged support to victims and expressed the need for joint determination to end all forms of sexual violence.

The government, at the suggestion of President Vjosa Osmani, dedicated April 14 to victims of sexual violence during the Kosovo War.

The government started a registration and verification process for victims of the Kosovo War in February 2018.

By April, 1,473 cases were confirmed. There are 71 male victims.

It is estimated that 20,000 people were victims of sexual harassment and rape during the war.