The Women's Welfare Center in Peja has sheltered 87 women and children during 2025, while from January to October of this year, 60 women and children have been sheltered.
Drejtoresha e Qendrës, Ardita Bala, ka thënë për KosovaPress se strehimorja ka kapacitet prej 16 shtretërish dhe deri më tani nuk ka pasur raste që janë refuzuar për shkak të mungesës së hapësirës.
According to her, funding remains a challenge, which has decreased this year compared to last year.
“Gjatë vitit 2025, buxheti total ka qenë 127 mijë euro, ndërsa gjatë vitit 2026 buxheti është zvogëluar nga Ministria për Punë, Familje dhe Vlerat e Luftës Çlirimtare dhe aktualisht është 118 mijë euro”, ka thënë Bala.
She stated that this budget is not sufficient to cover all the shelter's needs, especially for activities related to the reintegration of women and children.
Bala has indicated that the funds are used for staff salaries, psychological, social and legal services, food, energy, heating and water costs, hygiene, clothing, health services, maintenance and security, as well as reintegration activities.
She said that there have also been delays in funding this year.
"During May, we had no income from the ministry, due to delays in opening the call. During that period, we covered the month of May with support from municipalities and the staff continued to work even without salaries," said Bala.
Regarding the women's stay in the shelter, she stated that there is no set deadline and that they stay until they feel safe to continue their lives outside the shelter.
"Women do not have a set time limit on how long they have to stay in the shelter, like three, six or nine months. They stay until they feel safe to continue their lives outside the shelter," she stated.
Bala announced that this year the Municipality of Peja has paid the rent for 12 months to four women with children.
The center offers support even after leaving the shelter, including assistance in finding safe housing, support for employment or vocational training, economic assistance, and psychological counseling.
Ministria për Punë, Familje dhe Vlerat e Luftës Çlirimtare, nuk është përgjigjur për këtë çështje. /KP