Fighting violence against women in politics, one episode at a time

In Kosovo’s frenetic media landscape, where clicks tend to dominate the narrative, everyday tales of women and men challenging societal stereotypes have struck a chord with viewers. The TV series "Prijmë" broke ground by challenging societal norms through compelling stories of men and women defying stereotypes. Funded by USAID, the show tackles issues like online violence against women in politics, sparking much needed discussion

Through innovative TV programming and effective use of social media, the project reached a broad audience, garnering the attention of over 200,000 people online and on television. Naile Dema Selmani, the editor and journalist who moderatesd the show, observed that the impressive impact of the series extended beyond the screen, fostering awareness, inspiring action, and driving societal change. According to Selmani, the series “demonstrates the power of media in highlighting social issues and the necessity to continue our efforts  to ensure a safe and equitable public environment for all, especially women.”

Airing on prime-time TV, the show featured prominent figures like the President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, Genc Salihu, an artist, Vjosë Maloku Ramadani, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Kosovo armed forces, Glauk Konjufca, Chairman of the Kosovo Assembly, Mira Kazhani, a journalist, and Kosovare Asllani, a football player. 

As the series progressed, viewers flocked to social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, to share their perspectives on the stories of the showcased guests, turning these platforms into central hubs for discussions on the broader impact of women's contributions in traditionally male-dominated fields. 

In this context, the story of Lieutenant Colonel Maloku Ramadani was remarkable. She and her husband are both part of the Kosovo Security Force, and although she is a higher ranked officer, people usually ask her husband first about issues related to the force. "They address my husband because they think he knows everything," shared Maloku Ramadani, “because in Kosovan society, views of women are prejudiced, while men are portrayed as all-knowing.”