Regardless if they are active in formal or informal groups, women are the largest and safest resource for peacebuilding, concluded participants at the regional conference “The role of women in peacebuilding processes in the Mitrovica region," Radio kontakt plus reported.

Representatives of institutions, international and non-governmental organizations spoke about women’s leadership in peace and trust building, the impact of conflict on women, encouraged their participation at all levels, and about women’s involvement in conflict prevention and resolution.

Ulrika Richardson, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Representative in Kosovo, said that women have a special role in the development of a democratic society and that all international agencies have a mandate to work on gender equality.

“Strengthening of women, gender equality is not easy, because it entails changing the society, changing of stances and behaviours. It is necessary to create a network. The role of women is high in every field, and especially the role of women in conflict resolution, peace negotiations and the development of a democratic society,” Richardson said.

Chief Executive Officer of the North Mitrovica Municipal Administration, Adrijana Hodzic, opined that the biggest challenge was the consciousness of people and that men were afraid of having women present in politics, economy (…) and that this should change.

“We have to implement laws in an adequate way, and we have to make sure that the implementation of these laws is not an intrusive, but rather a natural process,” Hodzic said.

Zubin Potok Mayor Stevan Vulovic, opined that “a woman is the pillar of family and society,” adding that he was striving to find a good model for women to occupy the decision-making positions.

“Zubin Potok is different from other municipalities, because regardless of the fact that Zubin Potok is a patriarchal environment, women have found their place. All of the important jobs are performed by women. Out of 19 directors, 17 of my associates are women,” Vulović pointed out.

Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General and Deputy Head of UNMIK Christopher Coleman said that strengthening and equality of women were one of the key systems for stability and peace in society.

“UNMIK strives to help in the peacebuilding and confidence building. We can help so that the voice of women is heard. In cooperation with our international partners, government representatives, non-governmental sector ... we will work to build women’s participation in all decision-making areas in order to increase the key role of women in peacebuilding,” he emphasised.

Other panelists included Flora Macula, UN Women in Kosovo, Memnuna Zvizdic, director of NGO Women 2 Women from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Olimpija Hristova Zaevska, Impact Institute for Research from Macedonia, Radmila Kapetanović, former judge and activist, Miljana Scekic, Senior Legal Officer at the Ombudsman Institution in Mitrovica, Valdete Idrizi, activist and politician from Mitrovica South, Nora Prekazi, anthropologist at the Museum in Mitrovica South and Ruzica Simic, Director of NGO Women’s Right.

The final regional conference was organized as a part of the project “Trust Building initiative for Women in Mitrovica”, which was supported by UNMIK, and the project was implemented by the NGO Women’s Right from Mitrovica North and Mundesia from Mitrovica South.