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BODYRIGHT – Own Your Body Online launches in Kosovo
Following the successful launch of the global BODYRIGHT campaign in November 2021 by HQ of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), we launched BODYRIGHT also in Kosovo to raise awareness about technology-facilitated gender based violence (TFGBV) and its consequences.
BODYRIGHT is a part of the initiative of increasing understanding that TFGBV is real violence, which takes many different forms. It has real-world impacts and calls upon decision-makers and relevant stakeholders to improve protection mechanisms and support systems to address the TFGBV the same way they address the other forms of GBV.
Global research shows TFGBV affects all countries in the world and that 85 % of women have experienced online violence or witnessed it being perpetrated against other women. 57 % of women have had their videos or images abused or misused online.
To identify possible tech solutions against TFGBV, cyber harassment, hate speech, doxxing and non-consensual use of images and video, UNFPA Kosovo and IPKO Foundation organized the tech forum titled “CAN TECHNOLOGY SAVE ME/CAN TECHNOLOGY HARM ME?”, reviewing from various aspects, the impact of the TFGBV in our society and identify the best technological solutions prevent it.
During the launching ceremony, Kosovo institutions represented by the Deputy Prime Minister for Minorities and Human Rights, Emilija Redzepi, and Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, guarantee their commitment to support the initiative of BODYRIGHT, calling for action to protect women and girls from Digital Violence. Meahwhile, UNFPA Representative John Kennedy Mossoti recalls that 57% of women have seen their online content abused. Their images need protection and the time to act is now.
The image of the campaign is Mrika Nikqi who shared a recent experience of posting a video of a sexually-motivated attack against her and the reactions she got. Even if not all positive, it was worth it. Report violence, she concluded!
The event continued with the presentation of legal research on bodyright protections in Kosovo. Meanwhile, in the 1st session moderated by UNFPA Kosovo Head of Office, Visare Nimani - Mujko with the panelists Nazlie Bala – Advisor to the Minister of Justice, Majlinda Sinani Lulaj Deputy Ombudsperson Kosovo, Donjeta Sahatçiu – Deputy Mayor of Prishtina, Adelina Tershani – Kosovo Women Network and Natasha Boshkova - Attorney from North Macedonia, talked about Policy Framework and Country Contexts on Cyber Violence covers perspectives.
In the 2nd panel "Can Technology Save/Harm Me" moderated by Kosovo's Ambassador for Women in Tech, Teuta Sahatqija, featured a discussion on tech solutions with Zana Tabaku - CEO & Co-founder at APPDEC, Abetare Gojani - Executive Director of IPKO Foundation, Tamara Tomasevic - Psychologist from Serbia and Elena Panova - Marketing and Digital Transformation Director - A1 Macedonia - North Macedonia.
Digital violence is a violation of human rights.
We call on policy makers, technology companies, and social networks to take photo abuse, devaluing human beings, and online misogyny as seriously as copyright infringements.
Bodyright your images.
Join the movement. Add the Bodyright symbol when sharing your images online.
Place the symbol 
on your body in your photos or digital content.
Perpetrators of digital violence use technology against their victims. They are telling girls and women whose pictures and videos have been abused that they have no control over their bodies on the Internet.
Our message is different. Humiliation and abuse of the body in the digital space is an act of violence and it must end.
Join others who are claiming bodily autonomy and are advocating for a world - both virtual and real - where women and girls live freely.
When it comes to digital violence, virtual is real.
