I am Anemone - True Stories of Survivors of Sexual Violence in Kosovo - Anemone

Oct 17, 2026

I am Anemone collects true accounts from survivors of sexual violence connected to the Kosovo war, giving voice to women and children whose experiences were silenced. Supported by medica mondiale and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the text presents the mission and services of Medica Gjakova from counseling and gynecological care to legal support and economic empowerment, describing psychosocial healing, justice, and reintegration into life.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages172

Reading Time7 h 13 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction to Medica Gjakova

Legacy of the Kosovo war and silenced crimes

Founding and early counseling in Gjakovë

Expansion of support: psychosocial, gynecological, and medical care

Legal counseling and access to justice

Economic empowerment and community reintegration

The book "I am Anemone" contains true stories of survivors of sexual violence of the last war in Kosovo. Publishing of this book was supported by medica mondiale and Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development BMZ Medica Gjakova Gjakovë, 2019 Iam ANeMONE Gjakovë, 2019 Published by: Medica Gjakova Co-authors: Medica Gjakova Salie Gajtani Osmankaq The voice of the survivors was confessed to: Fehmije Luzha Nderime Sahatqija Dafina Cana Shpresa Frrokaj Leonita Gojani Hana Doli Editor: Salie Gajtani Osmankaq Reviewer: Shpresa Frrokaj Proofreader: Agim Jaka Translators: Yll Byci Vllaznim Byci Graphic Design: Agron Rexha Publisher: Litografia-Gjakovë ANEMONE When a storm approaches her, SHE picks up her pet- als to make her feel safer, so that no part is cut off, so that no petals are lost. Day-by-day storms strengthen her… Light winds heal the wounds caused by storms. She is purple and yellow, pride and hope. SHE believes in a better life. SHE feels free amidst the light flying winds that wave and bring freshness to her early mornings, in the early days of spring, in the most beautiful season. She carries a lot of love in her, at the same time she is fragile and beautiful because only SHE sees the world differently. SHE hopes to live her love like on those other beautiful days of spring, by reliving those mornings once again. SHE is afraid of the dark and closes herself in search of light, until she reaches morning. SHE expects the sun to rise again and again… SHE is best defended when she fights on the battlefield, amidst the blurry thoughts that unwittingly come to her and her bitter fate, which sometimes slams her to the ground. SHE stands up again because she loves white, light mornings. SHE IS THE GIRL OF THE WIND Introduction to Medica Gjakova The war in Kosovo left many consequences. There was talk of people being killed, missing, injured, burned down homes and properties-but one thing fell silent. The crime of sexual assault was silenced. The crime against 20,000 women and girls, men and boys, who have experienced sexual violence during the Kosovo war, was silenced. Shortly after the end of the war in Kosovo in 1999, Dr. Monica Hauser, founder and leader of medica mondiale, with courage, solidarity and a sense of responsibility, opens the first center for interdisciplinary counseling in Gjakovë, where for the first time medica mondiale mentions the crimes of sexual assault before and after the war. At that time, with medica mondiale we came to realize how important is to talk about sexual rape, how important is to support survivors, how important is to not leave them alone and excluded. Medica Gjakova as a local organization started working in 2011 with a staff of highly experienced professionals, all of whom have been working together since 1999. The organization's commitment extends to various fields, and is currently focused on providing support and assistance to traumatized, abused and raped women and girls during the war in Kosovo. Something that started out as an immediate help through psychosocial counseling and gynecological treatments turned into a larger group of supporters for these women and girls. Today Medica Gjakova is an open door for thousands of survivors of gender-based violence, and in particular of sexual violence during the war throughout Kosovo, who have found and continue to find unparalleled support to face the trauma of the past through holistic psychosocial, health (gynecological) support, legal counseling and economic empowerment. This organization provides to all of those who need other activities at the social and political level in order to sensitize the society at local and national level, with a special focus on developing a sensitive approach, empowering them, protecting them from retraumatization. All this help and support is done in order to integrate them into all aspects of life. Through

FAQs

What is the purpose of I am Anemone?

It shares true stories of survivors of sexual violence from the Kosovo war and highlights the support needed to heal, seek justice, and rebuild life.

How did Medica Gjakova begin its work?

After the 1999 war, Dr. Monica Hauser opened the first interdisciplinary counseling center in Gjakovë, and Medica Gjakova later began as a local organization in 2011 with experienced professionals working since 1999.

What types of support does Medica Gjakova provide?

It provides holistic psychosocial counseling, gynecological treatment and related health services, legal counseling and representation, and economic empowerment through entrepreneurship and support for sustainable livelihoods.

Oct 17, 2026

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