The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, said on Wednesday that taking office as head of state five years ago was not the peak of her career, but only the beginning.

She made this emotional statement at an event marking Women’s Week in Pristina, which comes just days before the end of her mandate as president.

According to Osmani, her five-year term at the helm of the state was a period during which institutions were strengthened and space for women was expanded.

“Five years ago, when I took office as president of the country, I did not see it as the peak of my journey, because it truly was not. It was a beginning—a moment when the highest responsibility began, because the transition from representation to responsibility is one of the most difficult processes in politics. That is where symbolism ends and the real weight of decision-making begins… During these years, we have made progress. Institutions have been strengthened. Space for women has expanded and, most importantly, we have proven that leadership with integrity is not a weakness, but a standard that must continue,” Osmani emphasized.

However, she also mentioned what she described as a smear campaign against her, which she said took place recently after she dissolved the Assembly by presidential decree.

Although she did not mention names, the president said that when propaganda can turn someone into a traitor overnight, then the entire democracy is at risk.

“Every progress always has a counterweight. Recent times have proven this. In recent weeks, my work has faced a smear campaign whose purpose is not criticism and has nothing to do with accountability. It is something else—much colder and entirely deliberate. It is an attempt to strip a person of their human dignity, to turn them into an object, to compare them with the fiercest animals, and to replace the truth with manipulated images… When propaganda can turn anyone into a traitor overnight, when truth has no importance, and when dignity becomes collateral damage, then the entire democracy is at risk,” she added.

Also part of the event was the Speaker of the Assembly, Albulena Haxhiu, who said she is open to strengthening the role of the legislature.

"As Speaker of the Assembly, I will engage to the maximum to ensure that the review of draft laws is carried out in the best possible way, also taking into account the gender aspect. We do not need to adopt laws that do not fit our circumstances. Kosovo has good laws, but they are often not implemented in practice. Therefore, in this regard, civil society organizations and various institutions should be included in the Assembly’s working groups. I am very open to strengthening the role of the Assembly of Kosovo,” Haxhiu stated.

“It is important to recognize that Kosovo has made significant progress in advancing women’s political representation. The country has been recognized for its commitment through gender quotas, increasing the presence of women in elected bodies, including presidents. However, representation alone is not enough. The next step is to ensure that this representation translates into meaningful leadership and policy impact. Women must not only have a seat at the table, but must also have the opportunity to shape decisions, lead institutions, and drive reforms that improve citizens’ lives,” she concluded.

Many female officials, both from the central and local levels, also took part in the conference. 

Meanwhile, the NDI Director in Kosovo, Nancy Soderberg, said that Kosovo has made progress in advancing women’s political representation, but the next step is to ensure that representation translates into leadership.