The significance of the “Lekë Dukagjini” code and patriarchal norms : Women´s experience of intimate partner violence in Kosovo

Sammanfattning

The purpose of this semi-structured study was to explore the influence of patriarchal norms and the Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini (traditional Albanian customary law on women who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) in Kosovo, according to women that have experienced IPV and also staff working at a women´s shelter. Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a persistent global challenge and is widely recognised as both a public health issue and a violation of human rights. It is closely linked to broader structures of gender inequality and continues to affect women across different contexts. Despite international efforts to promote gender equality and strengthen women’s rights, IPV persists in many societies, including Kosovo. The findings are based on six semi-structured interviews with both victims and professionals as well as observations. The data were analysed and interpreted through a hermeneutic approach. Results show that violence is rarely experienced as isolated incidents, but rather as a continuous pattern of control that becomes gradually embedded in everyday life. This process of IPV is reinforced by social and cultural norms, where family and community attitudes may minimize violence, attribute blame to the victim, or justify the perpetrator’s behaviour. The study also highlights that while support systems such as shelters provide immediate safety, they are simultaneously experienced as restrictive environments that regulate everyday life. Furthermore, uncertainty about the future, particularly regarding children and institutional support, contributes to ongoing insecurity even after leaving the abusive relationship. Overall, the findings demonstrate that intimate partner violence in Kosovo is a structurally embedded phenomenon shaped by gendered norms, social pressure, and institutional limitations. Women’s experiences of violence and their ability to leave abusive relationships must therefore be understood within broader structural and socio-economic contexts.