HeForShe campaign launches in Kosovo* at DokuFest
Kosovo campaign includes launch of a pink seesaw sculpture that draws young and old to discuss gender equality and sign up on HeForShe site.Date:
UN Women officially launched the HeForShe Campaign in Kosovo in August during the 15th edition of DokuFest, Kosovo’s largest international documentary and short film festival. DokuFest is one of the most important art events in Kosovo, and is the first official supporter of HeForShe Kosovo through its collaboration with UN Women in advancing gender equality in the arts and media.
The HeForShe solidarity movement was launched globally two years ago by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UN Women Global Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson. Since then, hundreds of thousands of supporters from communities, cities and countries around the world – including heads of state, CEOs, global luminaries and people from all walks of life – have committed to gender equality. HeForShe uses technology to engage a global audience as change agents to achieve gender equality.
The Kosovo campaign included a screening of the documentary Starless Dreams, followed by discussions on the role of men and boys in achieving gender equality. Participants included award-winning filmmaker Mehrdad Oskouei and Andrew Russell, the United Nations Development Coordinator in Kosovo.
Mr. Russell said: “The development and well-being of a society relies on using the full potential of all its members. Yet half of the population, women and girls, struggle against discrimination politically, economically and socially.”
The UN Kosovo team has made gender equality a priority to assist women and girls in Kosovo obtain their full rights and further contribute to their communities, while also helping men and boys. “The HeForShe campaign illustrates that gender equality is the work of all, for the benefit of all,” added Mr. Russell.
The Kosovo campaign included the launch in Prizren of the art installation I See You Saw Me by Kosovo artists Dardan Zhegrova and Tadi, which showcases a pink seesaw sculpture. The artists explained its meaning: “We are all equal. We need each other for things to function. This installation in a public space highlights the importance of being together, the significance of the person across from you. In this way, we come to understand one another's position, and in one form or another we can now say, “I see you saw me.”
Young and old enjoyed the installation on the Bistrica river, often talking to the HeForShe team about gender equality and what it means in their lives. A young father who signed up for the HeForShe campaign on the website, said: “It’s difficult to decide which is the biggest gender equality issue because there are still so many here in Kosovo. But I see positive change and I hope that things will be better for my children.”
During the campaign launch at DokuFest, the HeForShe Kosovo Facebook page received over 1000 likes and more than 31,000 people talked about the campaign on Facebook. On the HeForShe website, over 220 people signed up under Kosovo.
The global HeForShe campaign’s innovative, inclusive approach mobilizes people of every gender identity and expression as advocates, and acknowledges the ways everyone benefits from equality. Over 1.3 billion supporters have signed up to make HeForShe pledges for gender equality. The HeForShe campaign contributes to advancing the global Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, particularly SDG #5 on gender equality and SDG #10 on reducing inequalities. The HeForShe Kosovo Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/HeForSheKosovo.
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* All references to Kosovo in this story shall be understood in full compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999)