The World Bank has highlighted the urgent need to address gender-based violence in the Western Balkans, a region where this issue significantly impacts education, employment, and leadership opportunities for women. Xiaoqing Yu, the World Bank Country Director for the Western Balkans, expressed concern over recent alarming statistics on domestic abuse and violence against women in the area.
"Gender-based violence is a pervasive issue that transcends borders," said Yu. According to data from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), nearly half of women in Bosnia and Herzegovina have experienced abuse, with 84 percent of cases going unreported. The country's three SOS lines received 5,000 calls within nine months this year alone.
In Kosovo, studies indicate that almost a third of adult women have faced sexual harassment. In Albania, two-thirds of women and girls reported experiencing dating violence. Femicide remains prevalent across the Western Balkans; one in two female victims are killed by their husband or partner.
Efforts to combat gender-based violence include initiatives launched by civil society organizations in March 2023 to monitor femicide and related court cases. Countries such as Serbia, Albania, and Montenegro have developed an interactive map documenting femicides since 2020.
Yu emphasizes that policy changes are essential alongside these efforts. Prevention initiatives like parenting programs can empower women and challenge harmful gender norms while providing families with non-violent communication skills.
Furthermore, an effective response should focus on survivors' needs across sectors such as health care—providing safe environments for medical care—and education—facilitating early intervention through school programs addressing dating violence.
Strengthening information management systems through digitization can enhance coordination among service providers and inform policies using data analytics.
The World Bank is committed to promoting gender equality by tackling structural barriers contributing to gender-based violence. This includes training health personnel in Kosovo and promoting property registration for women in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.
"Our goal is to create an environment where women and girls can thrive," said Yu. The organization supports efforts aiming at resilient societies by fostering inclusive economic opportunities.
Learn more about the World Bank’s global efforts to combat GBV (gender-based violence) on their website.