Shpresa Agushi, the activist transforming women and girls’ lives in Kosovo’s most marginalized communities

In a world where minority rights advocacy often faces cultural and systemic barriers, 55-year-old Shpresa Agushi is a determined and leading voice for women from Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian (RAE) communities in Kosovo^[1].

Since 2007, Agushi has been serving as the elected executive director of the Network of Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian Women's Organizations of Kosovo (NRAEWOK), whose mission is to support the integration and promote the rights of women and girls from RAE communities.

Based in the eastern city of Gjilan in Kosovo, her more than two decades-long work spans Kosovo-wide, addressing critical issues like early marriages, domestic violence, school dropouts, and gender inequality.

Recognized internationally, Agushi embodies the spirit of resilience and advocacy for Europe’s most marginalized communities, particularly women and girls.

Being Romani in Kosovo

Agushi recalls growing up in a large, assimilated Romani family of nine children in the vibrant, historic city of Prizren, Kosovo, during the era of former Yugoslavia, when there were fewer divisions between different nationalities.

Shpresa’s home is more than a residence; it symbolizes her commitment to preserving Romani culture while championing the rights of her community. Photo: UN Women/Danijel Rakić

Roma people in Kosovo face widespread discrimination and poverty and still remain among the most marginalized groups, with limited access to adequate housing, schooling, healthcare, and political participation. Due to a lack of resources and long-held rigid cultural views on gender roles, Roma women, in particular, continue to struggle with unemployment, low basic income, and illiteracy, making them vulnerable to domestic violence and early marriages.

Agushi recalls strongly opposing traditional norms in her community, particularly the constraints placed on women in marriage, who were often expected to follow strict family rules, seek permission to go out, talk to someone, and seek employment while also facing domestic violence.

Her family broke stereotypes, supporting both sons and daughters equally and urging them to prioritize education before anything.

“My father used to say that education is not just knowledge, but it’s the ‘future and light of every person’. He always told us not to wait for someone to guide us but to be independent, clear about our goals, and determined to pursue our path,” Agushi recalls.

“My father used to say that education is not just knowledge, but it’s the ‘future and light of every person’. He always told us not to wait for someone to guide us but to be independent, clear about our goals, and determined to pursue our path.” – Shpresa Agushi

A path of activism

Shpresa Agushi's journey into activism began in 1999, driven by the injustices she witnessed against the Roma people, which deeply affected her and motivated her to take action.

She began working for the International Rescue Committee, distributing humanitarian aid door-to-door as Roma communities had limited freedom of movement. Her knowledge of Albanian and English helped her establish contacts with various officials and organizations, enabling her to represent Romani interests.

Agushi recalls being the first Romani woman in Kosovo to work for international NGOs. During her involvement in international projects, she met Romani women from other countries and soon realized that the specific needs of women, girls, children, and youth were not properly addressed in post-war Kosovo.

“This experience deepened my understanding of the challenges faced by women and the RAE communities, which led me to advocate, educate and drive change,” she says.

Years later, Agushi considers her most significant achievement is empowering RAE women and girls.

“Today, we have many women and girls who are activists and are employed, working for themselves and their communities, rather than waiting for others to act. I am no longer the only Romani woman in spaces once dominated by men,” she says.

Today, we have many women and girls who are activists and are employed, working for themselves and their communities, rather than waiting for others to act. I am no longer the only Romani woman in spaces once dominated by men."
 – Shpresa Agushi

Work with NRAEWOK: Combating early marriages

In 2007, Agushi took on a pivotal role as executive director of NRAEWOK. This organization started in 2000 as an informal group of activists and has since evolved into a key advocate for the rights of Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian women.

A bird’s-eye view of Shpresa Agushi, whose work combats early marriages and empowers Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian women across Kosovo. Photo: UN Women/Danijel Rakić

The network now includes 10 organizations and 15 activists, including students, young boys, and girls, who work throughout Kosovo.

Under Shpresa's leadership, the organization has implemented numerous projects and initiatives featuring a wide range of activities aimed at addressing issues like gender-based violence, educational opportunities for RAE children, and, particularly, early marriages.

Despite Kosovo's Family Law prohibiting marriage under 16, early marriage remains a serious, underreported issue that disproportionately affects the RAE communities in Kosovo.

According to Agushi, this practice limits educational opportunities for young girls, contributes to health issues, and perpetuates cycles of poverty and domestic violence. Society and institutions often see this phenomenon in the RAE communities as part of their tradition, but she rejects that notion.

“Early marriages have persisted largely due to the failure to enforce existing laws. They occur because of economic conditions, families want their daughters to have a better life, or the girls themselves want to marry young because they’re in love,” she explains.

Agushi has made it her organization’s mission to prevent the practice through awareness campaigns, research, and advocacy. One of NRAEWOK’s most notable initiatives in recent years, supported by UN Women, has been a door-to-door campaign.

The organization trained young volunteers to serve as role models in their communities, educate them on the harmful effects of early marriages, and emphasize the importance of enforcing laws while promoting alternatives such as education and personal development for girls.

During 2021, volunteers distributed leaflets and met with 450 families, reaching over 2,000 people across five municipalities.

“Today, mothers who married early want their daughters to have a different, better life. While progress has been made, there is still much work to be done,” Agushi says.

Today, mothers who married early want their daughters to have a different, better life. While progress has been made, there is still much work to be done.” – Shpresa Agushi

Shpresa Agushi’s work contributes to the “Zero violence” area of the Beijing+30 Action Agenda, a voluntary, action-oriented platform to accelerate the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the 2030 Agenda. Her efforts to combat early marriages, promote girls’ education and prevent violence through raising awareness and creating a safer, more equitable environment in RAE communities directly contribute to the Beijing Declaration’s call for gender equality and the protection of girls’ rights.

Achievements and vision

Agushi’s work with NRAEWOK has not gone unnoticed.

In 2019, she received the EU Award for Roma Integration for Western Balkans and Türkiye, recognizing her efforts to empower Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian women and promote gender equality. 

Noting that women don’t work for recognition but out of a sense of purpose and necessity, Agushi says that awards like these motivate her to keep going.

With awards in hand, Shpresa Agushi reflects on her vision for a more equitable and empowered Kosovo for women and girls. Photo: UN Women/Danijel Rakić

Meanwhile, NRAEWOK continues to empower RAE women and youth through training and capacity-building programs, equipping them with tools to advocate for their communities and make a difference.

The network cooperates with other NGOs and government institutions, monitoring the implementation of relevant laws and providing recommendations to adequately address early marriages, gender-based violence, discrimination, and other issues affecting the RAE communities.

Through her work, Shpresa Agushi has empowered marginalized women and fostered a culture of hope and possibilities, securing a safer future for generations of girls in Kosovo.

“Changes happen through us; the future is achieved by us, not by someone else,” Agushi says.

Changes happen through us; the future is achieved by us, not by someone else.” – Shpresa Agushi

This story is a part of the Beijing+30 regional communications campaign ‘Unstoppable’, aimed at marking the 30^th commemoration of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The views expressed in this story are those of the protagonist and the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of UN Women, the United Nations, or any of its affiliated organizations.

^[1] References to Kosovo should be understood to be in the context of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999).