Feride Rushiti was just a young doctor when she began supporting those who had suffered during the war by helping displaced people in Kukës. Later, her help focused more on victims of sexual violence, one of the most serious crimes that occurred in the Kosovo war.
Her work and that of the organization she runs, the Kosovo Center for the Rehabilitation of Torture Survivors, was recognized with a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize for 2025. In a media appearance, Feride Rushiti described this nomination as an appreciation given to the entire state of Kosovo.
"I think it is an appreciation not only for us as an organization for our work and contribution for 25 years in the cause of survivors of sexual violence, but also gender-based violence, and the prevention of torture, but it is an appreciation for Kosovo that is made with this nomination," said the director of the KRCT, Feride Rushiti.
Swedish MP Magnus Jacobsson made the nomination, which came as a surprise to Rushit. She said she had only met the MP once before, a long time ago, when she had presented the organization's work.
Jacobsson, in a letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, wrote that he had nominated Rushit and her organization for their "outstanding contribution to advancing human rights, the dignity of survivors, and the healing of communities' war wounds."
Rushiti hopes that this nomination will encourage other victims of sexual violence in Kosovo to speak out about the crimes they have experienced and seek justice.
"This nomination will motivate both women and men who are still voiceless and do not have the courage to speak up or ask for the services they deserve ," Rushiti said .
Rushiti said that he would not be surprised if Serbia lobbies against her nomination, while asking for the support of institutions as he assessed that the most important thing is the cause they represent.
In Kosovo, it is estimated that around 20 thousand women and men were raped during the war, but that officially the registered figure is less due to the reluctance of the victims to tell. (A2 Televizion)
