Gender that Matters: Poverty and Social Inclusion – Social Protection Status in Rural Kosovo and Serbia

2014-2016

Serbia and Kosovo

The main goal of this research is to examine the current situation in the field of social services for rural people, in order to advocate for the improvement of social protection systems in Kosovo* and Serbia. Specific objectives are: - determining the barriers to rural people in access to social services, with special emphasis on the difficulties that women face - examining the opportunities for active involvement of rural people in creation of the local development plans - examining the satisfaction of specific categories of people in rural areas on given social services, with the gender aspect emphasized - examining the needs of civil society organizations and government bodies that provide social services. The main motivation for this research comes from several studies (RZS, 2007; Cvejić et al. 2010) which point out that women are especially vulnerable group, and, at the same time, their position is of great importance for the development of rural communities. The skills that women in rural households possess bear the potential to diversify the economy, however, they have the greatest difficulties in accessing social protection system. Relevance of our research stems from the existing national laws in both countries and from the fact that the reform of social protection system is ongoing in Serbia. A comparative analysis of these two systems is important from a scientific point of view, as well as in terms of the evaluation of success of the government actions to reduce social exclusion. Research findings will lead to the formulation of recommendations for identified problems, as well as recommendations for possible changes of social systems in Serbia and Kosovo. ----------------------------------------- * This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

The social relations that have been studied bound the 'providers' to the 'recipients' of social services thus demonstrating that each side has its reasons for dissatisfaction and lack of agency; and in case of ‘providers’, it also indicates the pretext and good excuse for not being competent or not having capacities to function. The research demonstrated that the implementation of social assistance policies thus interdepends not only on multi-layered cultural premises but is closely connected to the political and national interests of both countries. How than it would be possible to make responsible and reactive members of a society or citizens of a country, if the parallel and doubled systems of the social protection were provided? Our findings in the Serbian part of Kosovo demonstrated paralyzed institutional structures in which the formal and procedural communication is often replaced by unplanned and rather accidental help of relatives and families. Instead of exchanging data concerning the two systems, we observed not only the lack of comparison between them but also the situations in which authorities turn a blind eye leaving certain users to gain double benefits and pensions. Similar results showing the slow and time-consuming functioning came out also in other parts of two countries often explained by economical and organisational reasons. Researchers used interviews with local and state authorities and persons in direct contact with recipients of social services to create recommendations to the people who build the system stressing the need for transparency and better coordination between different services. Researchers also emphasised urgency for creating a cultural shift of taking kindness and care out of the sphere of the private and female, which is also often generationally affected (either young and in obligation to take care of others, in most cases the male members of the family, or too old and therefore not deserving of being taken care of, male and female persons equally).