Provide Women in Kosovo with Job-Skills Training

Meet Emine Gashi*, a WfWI - Kosovo program graduate. In addition to learning how to turn her small garden into a viable small business, Emine learned how to speak up for herself and take back control of her life.

Emine Gashi is a widow and mother of 7 children. Her husband died 10 years ago. Before joining the Women for Women International program Emine was obliged to ask her brothers-in-law's permission if she needed to leave the home because of her widowhood. Her brother-in-law made all the family decisions for Emine and her children. She has been simply a kind of "slave" to serve and raise her children - but she had no rights to them or their upbringing. Until she enrolled in our program, Emine believed she couldn't challenge the male-dominated mentality. "As a widow it was hard for me to challenge victimization. I couldn't go out alone and make decisions for my children and myself. I never dared to go out of the house alone. I lived 30 years near by Gadime's Cave, a tourist area, but I never dared to visit it before the program. After I graduated, I visited it with a group of women," she says. "Since attending the program, my life has changed. I am more self-confident, more courageous to speak and to manage my life and my family. Today I go out when I need to go, and I no longer ask for permission. I go to see the doctor, do shopping, and finish my work outside the house. I now ask for opinions, but I know that in the end the decisions are mine." Emine has become very active in her community. She meets regularly with fellow women graduates. "I help our community leader, because she has lot of work to do. The more independent I become, the more my family values me. Everyone respects my work and the direction that I am building my life. I did not know to read and write when I joined WfWI-Kosovo program. I took the opportunity to attend literacy courses organized by WfWI-Kosovo, and I have learned to read and write." "I now help support my daughter's medical treatment in Italy, where she had two heart surgeries. Because I didn't have any funds, I took a loan. I repaid it by selling milk and vegetables from my garden." "Today I am proud with my work. I am now able to meet more of my family's needs, and most importantly, I support my daughters' education."

*Emine has given us permission to share her story.