CEU eTD Collection A In partial offulfillment therequirements the for degree ofMaster of Artsin Critical Gender CTIVISM IN THETHREE NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES G UESTS OR (M ACEDONIA Supervisor: Professor Dr. habil.Andrea Pet S Department of Gender Studies Central European University European Central ISTERS , Mimoza Pachuku Budapest, Hungary K Submitted to Submitted OSOVA AND OSOVA Studies 2011 : By A LBANIAN A LBANIA W Ę OMEN ) ’ S CEU eTD Collection between impactsbetween bordering womenthe countries, Albania”. aspirations for“Great future and the “soft” borders “hard”to of transformation the how on perspective a transnational from overview gives an lastchapter The processes). andnation-building structures areas (suchaspolitical dominated male the challenge to cause” “national usedthe and times” in conflict actors “passive the intersection of theidentity negotiation processes of women who challenged the roles of when establish to Albaniantrying Women’s atransnational While Alliance. secondexamines the collaborations.(of gender conflicts the and andnation) during cross-border their women from Kosova and Macedonia, Itrack their activism and identity the negotiation processes periodthe of with AnalyzingAlbanianinterviews from conducted 1990-2010. narratives twenty analyze in Albanianwomen’s activism Albania) threecountries Kosova and during (Macedonia, Abstract The first chapter examines collaborations, tensions and divisions between the women, the between divisions and tensions collaborations, examines chapter first The to nation and women on theory Davis’ Yuval Nira and Anthias’ Floya uses study This i CEU eTD Collection Last but not least, I would like to thank my family and friends for the great support and encouragement they and have shown me throughoutmysupport studies at CEU. great the for friends and my family thank to like I would least, not but Last Nikola Velkov and Orhan Usein for moral their andsupport help. researchinbroad of a limited period time. toJellmaz Many Adriana Qubaia, Dervishi,thanks I also want toexpress my gratitude toElenagreat Anchevska for helping me carry such out a thesis. the writing while comments insightful the and project I thank my I thank AndreaPet advisor Acknowledgements Ę for the guidance throughout the entire process entire for the of research the guidancethis process throughout ii CEU eTD Collection eeecs______88 ______References 86 ______Appendix 1:Listofinterviewees 80 ______Conclusion 69 ______CHAPTER 6:Mapping the Borders: vs. Imaginary Official State Borders 51 ______CHAPTER 5:Gender, Nationand National Projects 32 ______CHAPTER 4:Collaborations and Tensions of Albanian women’s organizing 26 CHAPTER 3:TheState of Art Research onAlbanianWomen______18 CHAPTER 2:Oralhistory- Stories Untold______10 ______CHAPTER 1:TheMyth of “Great Albania”and gender 1 ______Introduction ______iii Table ofContents ii Acknowledgements______i Abstract______Table ofContents aacn edradnto______65 Balancing gender and nation______61 ______Prioritizing gender 52 Prioritizing nation______45 ______Tensions and divisions 35 ______Women’s organizing and collaborations 32 ______Beginning of the movement 22 ______Ethical concerns 21 ______Narrative analysis 19 Interviewing process______iii CEU eTD Collection Canada which are important English-speaking states, use the term Kosova,I will be using it in my thesis. term Kosova usethe to started government Albanian-speaking the independence its after However, to time. long a for people the public. 1 Serbia still refers to it as Kosovo, status”. areleft“secondary women with the nation,while the leading of positions centered but sincein placed are who ones the are men process this In the 2002). & Wallerstein, governments (Balibar model family in the relies in construction, own its in UK, nation, The 2004). (Connell, USA, state the of nation-building Australia and of framework socalledthe will liberation” “national be the mainfocus of study. the main my focusof Theperformance of research. their activismidentities and the within outside of their“homeland country”, Albanian from women Kosova and Macedonia will be the of women’s collaboration.massive inAlbania demonstrations 1990and 1997); during which there andafter hasbeen a rise Given that the mainand war1998-1999;the armed inMacedonia warsinthese (Kosova 2001; conflict countries goal of this researchlike conflicts occurrences, beenserious because therehave of period time thisspecific chosen is to study women Kosova Macedonia, living their gender and national identities. More specifically, IstudyAlbanian livingwomen in focus on their cross- border aspecial of them, of countries, andoutside within with sector, borders their the governmental cooperation. In addition,they I also studylive the processesthat I study share same nationality, same language, and (morein or less) similarof cultural values,performing yet threestrengthento into politicalthe their building arenaand the nation position Thewomen process. differentIn researchthis I analyze activism women’s and the negotiation theiridentitiesof strivingwhile countries.Introduction I track their activism in politics and in the non- The term Kosova is the Albanian name of Kosova. Kosovo was used by the Serbians and the English-speaking the and Serbians the by used was Kosovo ofKosova. name Albanian the is Kosova term The Women’s rejection in masculine predominated areas is seen even in the process of process inthe even seen is areas predominated masculine in Women’s rejection 1 and Albania andtheiractivism duringI have period the of 1990-2010. 1 CEU eTD Collection development of women’s activism in the three countries together. countries three in the activism women’s of development the influenced hasextent this process to what and chosen; casesIhave in conflict the especially identities within ofcontributing the “well the process to being” ofthe “nation” asthey it,defined conflictthe in MacedoniaSubsequently (2001). Iaskhow these women have negotiated their developed the during period 1990-2010,especiallyduring warinKosovaand the (1997-1999) intertwined and each Iask complement howthey First,Albanian collaboration women’s other. tothis concept. implications connected into entering theoretical the without thesis theiraboutis thenationality/ethnicity, discriminations towards will usesuchthroughout thus as I talk they when cases in often very “nation”) the of “well-being” (the phrase this be using to interviewees my found I nation”. the” on “well-being” the for men the with together contribute to identity negotiation process in interviews,the during the conflictual times when they are allowed of the performance the I analyze to this addition In andMacedonia. Kosova from activists basedevents with onthenarrationsof interviews twenty the (seeAppendixwomen 1)conducted the toreconstruct it. Itry after and before activism study women’s which I through case studies military struggles (p.7).” and political economic, in national, participants as processes state and national in the themselves “incorporate to try women is identify they which ways the of One processes. these in participate practices. AnthiasandDavis (1989),emphasizefive in ways different womentend which to by findingboundariesin involve the national specific ways to andstate themselves processes break these havetried to in sphere thepolitical present Women 2001). (Ivekovic, capabilities by its masculine determined nation and are still one’s reputation of the thestatus Moreover, My research question is two-fold since the two parts of the research question are in and thewarinKosova Macedonia as I (1997-1998) conflict the main the (2001) take 2 CEU eTD Collection in, and then I study their engagement to institutionalize Albanian Women’s Alliance. Since the Since Alliance. Women’s Albanian institutionalize to engagement their study I then and in, is divided in three different sub-arguments: different in three is divided my Hence argument perspective. intersectional gender/nation the and transnational perspectives: In firstthe Ianalyze chapter, AlbanianWomen’s Activism within the countries livethey I present the findings from I present findingsthe my from from research constituted within a framework two (3) (2) (1) countries. Women’sAlbanian within Alliance three for institutionalization the the attempts of borders into “soft” borders in the post conflict period, lead “hard” to of the loweringtransformation of the the cooperation; their strengthen and together align them inparticipation “national the struggles” (as they it)call during times conflict helped their though even that argue I perspective, transnational the on again Relying for the consolidation of their collaboration into an institutionalized consent mutual organization. achieve to impossible it making Thus them. among divisions more added of them), both to balance trying gender,or nation or of category either the argue that the variation negotiation identity the (based of processes on prioritizing I too. identity political their of construction the influenced liberation national the of argue that theparadigm I intersectional perspective, from gender/nation the Looking them. among divisions significant created activism of fields different and rights) majority (minority, rights citizenship enjoying in differences systems, political different regimes, political different as such Factors countries. inlevels three the in different manifested was rise activism the the of However, a higher Albanian in women’slevel. collaboration countries to the three grew times, duringconflictual that argue I perspective transnational the from Starting 3 CEU eTD Collection countries affected the collective aspirations for national unification, especially women’s especially national unification, for aspirations collective the affected countries elaboration. 2 “softening” countries. analyzehow other the Inaddition, the I national the outside borders of influencedAlbanian and with theiridentities their countries from their ties the women and inside activities their and location their how analyze I First identities. their of construction the and engagement women’s to in relation countries three the of borders countries. inthethree cooperation women’s of theinstitutionalization for attempts the affected has that seehow identities, and narrated of their in construction variations the the I track In addition individual hasshapedidentitiesthat their thecollective within of “Albanian identity the nation”. the themselves“nation”; how theyaretowards “Albanianness” constructing aswomen; how and the three countries. I focus my analysis on the discourses and symbols they use when positioning women’s andorganizing in collaboration period.this caused amongisanalyzefactors mainthat to anddivisions the tensions Albania.here goal My beginning andthe of development Albanian in collaboration women’s Macedonia Kosovo, and interviews with conducted interviewed. women the provides This chapter analysis broader the of in the narrated as events the analyzing and explaining by chapter the build I context historical Relyingmatter. this on the to chapter Idedicate this (1990-2010), period in thespecified collectively, thethree countries within literature onAlbanian women’s collaboration documented any not is there and scarce, is years twenty last in the activism women’s Albanian on literature I have borrowed this term from Mostov’s theory on hard and soft borders. Refer to chapter 5 for further for 5 chapter to Refer borders. soft and hard on theory Mostov’s from term this borrowed have I The last chapter isThe last toexploring chapter of dedicated impacts the official the “imaginary” and In Istudy secondthe chapter, negotiation identity the Albanianprocesses in of women 4 2 of borderlines between the three the between borderlines of CEU eTD Collection women from Kosova, Albania, Macedonia. With respect to the states With states makelive,respect tothe they from women Kosova, Albania,Macedonia. I tomake Inorder not long into processes. Irefertothem these repetitions involved as indirectly whohavebeen the women that Iinterviewedother activists and group of activists women thesis. the throughout interpreted are will also emerge. Thus, before going tothe next chapter, Iwant toclarify the way these concepts and “nation-state" “the the of questions state” Additionally “identity”. and “activism” nation”, level. multicultural a to “co-national” from collaboration their expand to women Albanian for path the paved it on later aspirations”, “nationalist on based was Alliance Women’s Albanian for idea the though even that, inimpactAlbaniansignificant Women’s for this Alliance. decision Inrelation the I conclude to softeningin borderlines between of countries theafter-conflictthe three hadthe period, a prioritized, women’s for women’spursuit andrights collaboration grew too. was in gender when cases However, divisions. the of emphasizing the more to added even organizing variationsidentity in countries. inthethree In addition, the prioritizingcategories, differences in fieldsof had a activism impactgreat in shaping future the Albanianof women’s and rights), majority (minority, rights citizenship in enjoying differences systems, political regimes, in political the differences the here to refer I countries. inthe three women Albanian (Albanian Women’s Alliance). inspirations for the unification of their collaboration into an institutionalized organization When I say Albanian women, I do not refer to all the Albanian women rather than the The main concepts will that be used throughout my thesis are: “Albanian women”,” the as well as borders, official and “imaginary” in the changes the conclude I Lastly the among divisions and differences narrated the of factors the listing conclude I 5 CEU eTD Collection type of conceptualization carries an emphasized essentialization of the nationality; therefore the therefore nationality; of the essentialization anemphasized carries type of conceptualization belonging.national This their totalkthey about use is concept since this the of nation, concept nationalmore Iusethe theirties community and whendescribing appropriate relationship, are such ethnic as concepts though “shared” nationality. Even their between them, despite of number differences the andrealize other meeteach they when moment the until “sisters” their as countries other the in women Albanian other the about talk women Albanian chapters, image Asof their communion 1991,p.6)”. it be in(Andersson, shown thefollowing will the lives each of minds in their yet them, of hear even or them, meet members, their-fellow have very close ties/relationships. As Andersson explains, these people “will never they know whom most of with people as fellows co-national their about talk they however countries; different interviewed livein Thewomen toconceptof ascommunity”. I “imagined related nation an the isfound myinterviewees stories way the that narrated I out thisof concept they about talk in. live they countries in the elite intellectual the to belong women these that is here mention to want I detail important additional An strict. is quite groups minority of the Nations”, n.d.) of the population in the country, and the distinction of the name with thewomen from Albania, from aswomen Albania Albanians5 since make % up 95%(“Encyclopedia of Albanian womenfrom justMacedonia women from or Macedonia. Lastly, toAlbanian Irefer be the thesisIwill using throughout from Thus Macedonia. asanAlbanian Macedonian, rather Albanian in women isclearer,none identified theinterviews Macedonia during since them of as since that refers to womenAlbanian whowomen from Kosovaare or just women fromnot Kosova.use I I doKosova in notAlbanian,living use ones “Kosovarthe For women”,countries. three the of in each nationalities the yet of distinction they live in Kosova. The distinction for The concept of the “nation” is the most common used concept in my thesis. Through the in my Through common usedconcept mostis “nation”thesis. The conceptof the the 6 CEU eTD Collection establishedborders (Salmon, 2008). This isdefinition legitimate for Albania andMacedonia, but its of territory the use force within to monopolized power legitimate holds a and government has centralized a which organization is apolitical definition Weber’s to according state issue4 on onchapterandthis 5. more elaborate will I Albania. “homeland”- specific their with identified they interviews in the countries, in different live study my in women the Since “homeland”. aspecific with themselves unlike traditional national definitions identity, thison includes feature of one associating the nation in since,p.21).“ identity, this of The category Albanian women’s definition to relates sectors of population 1991, the (Smith, for significant asense of solidarity specific “homeland”, common ancestry; shared historical moments; elements of common culture; an association with a or myth a name; collective “a attributes: six these with identified be can community ethnic him to According communities. ethnic of definition Smith’s on identity national of definition beI basethe moreprecise, nation. To of by category the whichare),preceded religion etc. (gender,class, of categories intersecting social of different collectivity,grounds composed the on based identity as it interpret I interviews, the from explanations respondents the on based study only social national gendertwo Whencategories- andon nation. identity, talking about In purposes. casethe ofAlbanian women and thecomposure of identity their my I concentrate to it as refer I a identity social women’s about talk I when my study, In etc. location race, categorynationality/ethnicity, with which people identify in conceptcertain of nation in their context, and they way they interpret it Iuse it in quotation marks. circumstancesnationalist and for certaindiscourse is quite present in the discourses these women use. In order to use the The question of the “nation” initiates questions about the state and the nation-state. The nation-state. the and state the about questions initiates “nation” the of question The identity The mainsocialcategorieswhich constitute one’s class,are –gender,religion, 7 CEU eTD Collection women “activists” had “activists” women engagedin been fieldssuch institutions, academic non- as: politics, the that Given term. this mostly using collaboration and activities their express interviewed I women the oneswasbecause with other concept replace this allowme to did not that factor finding term an appropriate wouldthat variations all encompass impossible. looked Another this thus fields, different and levels in different active been had interviewed I women The level. directly or indirectly with other women with whom they do notshare same class, nor educational cooperated they “activism” their During classstratification. define enough their to isnot criteria this however elite, political the to belong interviewed I women the that mentioned I Previously define very in this research. are hard to activist, an becoming for beingor criteria are the hard to limitit into asingle definition. Questions such as what makes a woman an activist? What I tried toavoid using term,this itself since the hasconcept very dimensions,broad thus makingit 5for elaboration). further chapter (See in countries. three the Albanians strategy insiders of in and outsiders explainto order the had implications thenation-state for the use I thesis in my Thus nationalities. other of number considerable included also it since problems serious created organization political of this unitMacedonia andYugoslavia/Serbia formatof isfor state a nation notproblematic since95%ofits citizens areAlbanians. However, the Albania, For its and citizenship. of characteristic state the important most nation as the the on itself relies Thenation-state 27).” (p. nation-state a is also it states; territorial coordinate is embedded“The state, of inasystem notonlya modern Brubakerstates state territorial (1992) As perspective. nation-state from the it’s for if analyzed the countries three complicated not for Kosova which was considered as a province until 2008. The situation gets even more Activism conceptwhich is isanother visible this throughout quite beginning paper. In the 8 CEU eTD Collection male dominated areas of society. areas of the male dominated interpret and mostlyin governmental mediaItheir the organizations, as activism the performed 9 CEU eTD Collection 3 in Albanians. Albanians Atthiscreated the into network of astronger time, had matured Prizren, Ottoman Empire, again aparttook of Epirus (Çamëria) which was mostly inhabited by Empire continued.were living. OnThe the enemiesthe against unificationAlbanians of and where striveofallthelands for Albanians to othertreaty side, territorialof Berlin resistance wastoshow aimof network The inhabitedthe mostly byAlbanians. of territories the divisions which among nationalconcrete project byAlbanians. The purpose of nationalthis wouldproject be unification settled the great powers negotiationsa of creation for way will the the pave network of the The creation ePrizrenit). Prizren (Lidhja and the Ottoman called Leagueof network the their in own andimmediately met Prizren created elite, who between from intellectual were reactions “nation”, Albanian the Albanian there the towards Greece“injustice” and theandp. 363).” Bulgarian Montenegro Considering 1983, decision provinces the as an (Jelavich, San Stefano Treaty of Western Balkans were under the rule of Ottomans. from dates beginningthe of 19 the for suchreunification The desire Greece). of northern (part and Çameria of Montenegro parts some Macedonia, of Western part Serbia, the from Bujanovac andMedveda Kosova ,Presevo, Albania, of reunite the territories aims project national to Moreprecisely, this a single state. into Albanians toreunite theterritories of countriesother mostlywhich are inhabited byAlbanians CHAPTER 1: TheMythof “GreatAlbania” and gender The treaty was signed by Russia and the Ottoman Empire to end the Russo- Turkish war. The first ideas for“Great Albania” were born after the territorial divisions created by The and goal ethnic of desire thenationalist Albania” symbolizes project The “Great 3 1877-1878.The “assignedtreaty inhabited Albanian toSerbia, territories th century when Albanians along with other nationalities from nationalities other with along Albanians when century 10 CEU eTD Collection since after the war, the territories were returned to the same borders as they were before the war. before the asthey were sameborders tothe werereturned territories war,the the since after lastlong, didnot this However, 2002). Serbia (Zolo, for creating Yugoslavia/ enemy anactual of plan up back Germany’s and Italy’s was unification the of allowance the for reason main The project. the in foreseen lands the of unification actual the with manifested was idea The Balkans. inWestern as occupiers werepresent powers German the and Italian when the War II, World the The borders of the Albanian state have stayed the same since then. hadHowever, newly-founded the half left state Albanianthe of itspopulation of outside borders. 2002). (Zolo, London in withtheof Treaty liberation 1912 liberation.Albaniafor achieved feelings in Balkan areas, the living many thus nationalities their of the inthisareastarted battles movement. national the terminate to all actions necessary the took Ottoman the authorities full independence, for functioningon the of League. Fearing possibility the was ahardOttoman the Empire, attack by the movement) the of center (the Prizren of taking the grounds, solid on established been promising for national unification. However, even though ideasthe for this national had project the “national renaissance” period of Albanians, the project of “Great Albania” was very He is the elder brother of Sami Frasheri 6 5 education and alphabet own their for demands and independence for ideas develop become of it" published in 1899. The messages inthis bookhelped the Albanian National Liberation movement to 4 like Frashëri Sami intellectuals with project, intellectual Beingan born. Albania”“Great were called national project forideas the in clear the when this was period exactly for It liberation. national movement Abdyl Frasheri is one of the first ideologues of the AlbanianNational Liberation and nationalist Albanian activist. Pashko Vasa was an Albanian writer of the Albanian National Awakening. Sami Frasheri was an Albanian writer, remembered by his book "Albania - What it was, what it is, and what will The only time when the idea of “Great Albania” was implemented in practice was during was in practice implemented was Albania” “Great of idea the when time only The nationalist of initiated rise in 1911, Ottoman Empire andbetween the Italian The warthe 4 , Pashko Vasa Pashko , 5 11 , Abdyl Frasheri Abdyl , 6 , who also known for initiating for known also who , CEU eTD Collection nurture nurture their“national capital/values” folklore,(literature, songs,national legends, historical organizingmutual cultural and scientific andconferences, events which through they express and matters on national unification, which are made known to the public by the media. Secondly, case ismanifested, through differentkind of interactionsgroup in kinddifferent of levels. in this which movement, ideological national the through exactly was born, was project national (Albanians)groups in Macedonia, Kosova and Albaniahavein common. in The ways which this social the of etc) symbols, national days, historical national legends, songs, folklore, (literature, values” are based “national on the asaconcept Albania” “Great for aspirations The project. EU). the of entering governmenthas tominority in given rights (which states the of is fulfillingthe part requirement unification. A possible explanation for this fact could be the significant attention the Macedonian nationalthe livinginless poll,enthusiastic about According Macedonia the are Albanians the to 2010). (Likmeta, Albania” formation Greater the of inMacedonia supported of respondents unification. indicates The poll that “62 inrespondents % of Albania,81%inKosova and 51.9% Albania”A in paradigm. thatthe 2010showed poll majority Albaniansof still the dream about Kosova’sindependence inrecent 2008has had animpact on developmentthe of “Greatthe rights. citizenship their enjoy fully to them allow not did minority being since Montenegro, and nationalthe formyth “Great Albania” alive. Thesame wasfor Albanians living in Macedonia clashes between Serbian the andAlbanians inKosovagovernment the (from 1945-1980s), kept constant The Albania. nation-state- their of border the outside living ones the among especially After this period, thelongingfor “GreatAlbania” continued be to presentamong Albanians, First, there are official meetings of leaders of the Albanian political parties arguing about arguing parties political Albanian the of leaders of meetings official are there First, Now I want to turn to the functioning of “Great Albania” as a concept and as a national 12 CEU eTD Collection Albania” and theidentity of Albanians has been studied by several (Sieversanthropologists & “Great of myth the of existence The Kosova. from Albanians to only not in general, Kosova citizensthe of refer to usedto is Kosovar usedmostly term the in Kosova, (ethnic group); inidentifiedidentifiedAlbanians theInMacedonia asAlbanian threecountries. they as are among elites.”(Smith, the p.25) 1999, culture; anhistorica link territory “homeland”;with and or leasta measureof solidarity,at common of elements more or one traditions; and memories historical shared ancestry; common members identifying outsiders theemblem,of: and attributes aspossessing name an a myth of or link with a particular territory. aparticular link with namereligion), emblem,of (usually languageor elementa shared cultural a common a or and on the ties relating to the “nation”, he gives the following definitions: makeIn orderto based have distinction 1999). ethnicthe the “nation” their (Smith, with groups between the terms ethnic category and ethnic community,since they differ in thelevel of the ties distinction a make to important is it Smith, to According them. about talking when thesis the Albanians in the three countries, Iwant move to to amore solid term which will be used through of identification the for groups” “social of concept the using been have I now until, that Given during wartime the inKosovaimpact had a great in forging these of kinds relationships. close inacceptance of from refugees Kosova by the andAlbania, “compatriots” Macedonia their marriages gives support a forstrong the continuation of ideologicalthis movement. The cross-border of forging the and groups social these between interactions unofficial the hand, other the On movement this of reaffirmation the to contributes etc), symbols, national days, The ties among the Albanians in the three countries rely on the second model. They are “Ethnic categories “Ethnic arepopulations distinguished by outsiders aspossessingthe attributes Ethnic communities Ethnic 13 are human populations distinguished by both CEU eTD Collection aware that Albanians are not the only nationalities that have gone through territorial divisions in divisions territorial have through gone that theonly not nationalities Albanians are aware that talking when about correct” “politically be to trying theirwomen be, would this for explanation An “nation”demands. and the nationalaforementioned by concepts they use morewomen, suggests “vague” definitions of their national requests of Albanians.matter On no what. side,useof intentions of other the other the accomplishment the determined This can imply mission; and with afull a cause planned; hascarefully been that something indicates Albania, they were -Great of init. project fixednaming The the Albania” “Great carries term the of essentialization be the weight can explanation One perspectives. from different canbeanalyzed forreasons this Albania” fadeThe will “Great on as aconcept too. discourse again,Albania” the weredivided explainable One etc. “national demand” “national question”, mission”, “national “national itreconciliation” reason calling by indirectly forrather but Albania”, “Great terms the with thisdirectly it to refer not do them of is that afterMost Albania”. “Great of project the referto to ways different used interviewees The Kosova. the World Warinvestigate theintersection ofnation identity inAlbanianand women’s gender in and Macedonia II when the territoriesliving in andMacedonia Kosova. under “Greatthe aforementioned explanations,emphasize their Albanian identity which reveals their close tiesI to theuse national project.the interviewees the narratives, In theirKosova”. from Albanian from Macedonia, Basedi.e. “Albanian on term ethnic communitythemselves as Albanians. Itwas only in few cases when they would add country the livethey in when I refer to Albanian’sencountered during the interviewing of Albanianthe mostwomen of was that identifiedthem I that fact interesting One language. same the speak they and traditions cultural common Fischer, 2002; Kola, 2003a,2003b). Additionally, Albanians from have threecountries the Conductinginterviews women with activists inMacedonia and Kosova, allowed me to 14 CEU eTD Collection their traditional roles and engage themselves into “male predominated activities” while activities” predominated “male into themselves engage and roles traditional their 2000). From the research onlyI performed, their traditional I found most genderoftheir subjugatedroles biologicalcultural Womenandof of reproducers nation.the not rejected the womenroles, interviewed but also the also(whichdominant challenge was categorizations done by the from processes these marginalization that ironically, Hestates their nation-state. the constituting dominant of the nation elites, (Al-Ali, mainlyAlbanian were excluded women, who from of processes the and dealing with conflicts constituted from relationship of Ireland Israeli, Northern in tomake andBosnian women order acomparisonmales), with made them react to project. Albania”“Great the to relationship women’s on andanew perspective of approach concept, this analytical new a provide I interviews, in their women by narrated events the of interpretation the just background. rather than Analyzing of approach ahistorical analytical this concept, gender amore be offering Albania” would on“Great literature the to My contribution centuries. three for Myth the of existence the influenced and created that events the of narrations historical 1998, Kola however, 2003a,2003b,2006), Pearson they explaintend to the myth this through of this thesis. in chapter identity sixth the their which constitutes a category as nation andthe women analysis of broader I turn to the be accomplished. needs to that mission islife long away they of mythical for, imaginary, a a national they project about, national dream It more but than that. Albania”, “Greatisa project called it just for them,that not quest national the familiar with are so mean women it these mightthat On the side, other nationalities. other of interests the harm might that with requests national project aconcrete having thus past, the At this point I want to turn to Nadje Al-Ali’s toNadje(2000) acclamationsgender-nation for the to turn I want pointAtthis The myth of “Great Albania” has attracted the attention of several researchers (Canak, 15 CEU eTD Collection women and their allegedly role as passive/ active actors. to in relation nation the of gendering the of variations of cases presenting by projects, national of gendering the on perspective a different provide inmythesisItry to Therefore patterns. in similar beinggendered projects andnational states, onnations, theories generate Mostov Ivekovic &2002; Connell,Mostov 2004; manyfor scholars (Yuval-Davis&Anthias, 1989;Walby, 2001; Leoussi, 2000; Ivekovic, 2001; of exploration subject hasbeenanattractive identity nation and gender, of and intersection the way my whatto the literature. will bring contribute existingresearch in show and field, this in myresearch situate then and gender, and nation on theories existing Connell inBooth (2005), (2002); Mostov toelaborate Ivekovicandon the order (2004) and in national, economic, political and military struggles.” (Davis & Anthias, 1989,p.7 the construction, reproduction and transformation of ethnic/national categories; As participants signifiers of ethnic/ national as differences- a focus and in symbol ideological used indiscourses itsas culture; of astransmitters and collectivity the of reproduction ideological in the centrally as participating of of boundaries project; the ethnic/national asreproducers collectivities; member state practices: of of “asbiological ethnic in reproducers processes to connection fivenation.in participate in They recognizewhichwomen ways national try to ethnic and introduce theory theoreticalthe I background womenDavisAnthiasof about and (1989) activists women Albanian the did how see and theory acclamations/ these of grounds the within analysis that I interviewed my situate wantto in I warshappening Therefore, in theircountries. participating conflicts/ the dealt with this process. In order to add to the stability of the The study of the concepts has been under a broad scope of research since the late 80’s; the since of scope research abroad has been under concepts of The study the and Tolz from state nation, gender, on theories the to I turn thesis, the of part this In Johnson, 2005). The studies Johnson, of Connell, Ivekovicand 16 ) CEU eTD Collection parts (see chapter 4). (see chapter parts inthree variations these Ipresent andstate. nation of gender, between categories the negotiations of variations the and women Albanian of processes negotiation identity the of analysis changes in structural the composure of one’s identity. Therefore in thesisthis Iwill an provide initiate meantime the in which concepts; the between relations in power changes frequent every individual’s life. of toinitiate tend social negotiation Theseidentity aspect processes, in intertwinement duetotheir isvery close study complicated such concepts separate the of that shown have interviewees the of narratives The identity. one’s negotiate and define to trying Negotiation of gender, ethnicity and nationality generate a complexity of processes when processes of complexity a generate nationality and ethnicity gender, of Negotiation 17 CEU eTD Collection CHAPTER 2: a close analysis of their narrated identity. For the analysis of the performance of identities of their performance the of analysis the identity. For narrated of their analysis a close have allowed meto activists interviewing with women face-to-face of narratives Thus, usingthe countries. in thethree identity their and activism women’s shaped that processes and experiences analysis of all narrated the andthorough examination a close required kind of research itself,history oral thus face amethodologicalthe provides approach suchachallenge.to This challenge big a presents countries three the in years twenty past last in the movement women’s understandings which ignoredwere before (Perks & Thomson, p. 1998). their resemble to try and past the in imagined not have might they that respondents the to gaveask such valuethe lives” 1998,135) methe possibility to questions women’s of (Sangster, which acknowledges approach history as amethodological oral Therefore, of war. victims the model being discussed, has traditional the through been position theirdescribed of women been has warhaveEvenin by the when heard public. their position cases widely been the in participating of stories their have nor attention, significant any given been not has solidarity”) “co-national or by “imaginedcommunity” be explained (which “nation” can so called their to relation the and conflicts in participation women’s However, community. international by local the and the considerable attention in received have (2001) ethnic Macedonia conflict especially on fieldthe women, of The nation andwar in conflicts. Kosovo (1997-1999)and the thatIfound women; these on literature and very duetothe sources mainly limited primary was methodology this Ichose reason The Macedonia. and Kosovo from activists with women Conducting a research which would focus on women’s activism and their efforts as The methodological primary tool of my isresearch conducting biographical interviews Oral history-Stories Untold 18 CEU eTD Collection is by asking your initialby your is peopleother about my asking on samefieldthe asthem. thatwork contacts In reached by using the strategy of the “snow-ball effect”. The way how this strategy usually works I interviewees other of the Part and place. date a suitable I set interview, the about their consent After receiving activists. women in other with touch helpedme get organization the membersof I made contacts andAlbania.Kosova in The with women’s Macedonia, the organizations in internships three completed also I addition, In organizations. their of web-sites official the on found I which e-mails their through activists women 8 with contact direct a make to parts: beginning of activism, activism during the war/conflict, and activism after the war/conflict. women inactivists about their involvement previous activism.dividedinto I this topic three Interviewing process from interactions. relations these power study within concepts these two the frame of cultural/national ideology and the outcomes of identity negotiation process of Albanian women. In intersectionality addition alsowill helpme nation in study gender the of of social and dimensions categories use the the approach this to I Inmy project (Davis,2008,p.68). research power” interms of ofinteractions outcomes these individual lives,institutional social practices, and ideologiesarrangements, cultural and the in of categories difference class and“other race, suchas gender, categories of interactions on the a itself as focusesMore precisely, intersectionality formations- central p. 1771). (McCall,of category 2005, analysis” subject and relations social of modalities and dimensions multiple among relationships “the analyses approach approach. as Iuseintersectionality This an (as narrated) mappingfield, Iachieved theinterviewingwhich is procedure, the phase of In theearly I started interviewingthe by process alistputting together of possible for questions 19 CEU eTD Collection further left on further lefton politicalthe spectrum than do their 22). malecounterparts”(p. themselves place and stances, policy feminist toward inclined favorably more are elites political in these […]Women difference some make does gender that found part, most the for have, to this,“studies Young (2001)arguesthat and of attitudes inthe actions of women political elites the male predominated area of politics andlobby forissues that concern their gender. In addition Albanian inwomen. Being a privileged position, these women have opportunities tochallenge of elite” the makes “intellectual background them the solideducational sciences. Having insocial have of them adegree most Additionally, degree. Doctorate or Masters Bachelors, is background Theireducational 24 to78. age the varied from interviewees The of age more details). 1for Appendix politics(See oracademia moved to had they conflict the andafter associations, society in civil engaged been have interviewees the of Some fields. aforementioned the of one to strictly to belong necessarily not do others while fields, these of in one only details).more had 1for of institutionsand (seeappendix them Some been working academic open-ended questions. My interviewees have in background non-governmental politics, sector The for myface ofinterviewing wasface-totype Ichose with interviewing biographical research Gostivar, andSkopje.inForum Kumanova, Tetova, (Macedonia) Women’s Center, Gender Studies Kosovar were: mehelped in that process this organizations women’s main The etc). politicians professors, (activists, women other and organizations case the first 8 women activists that I contacted, helped me get in touch with other women’s I interviewed Albanian twenty women activists comingKosovo from and Macedonia. 20 CEU eTD Collection process, I didprocess, for my important itseveral asReissmanown First, reasons. on is it(1993) claims, interviewed is translating Even and alongvery though only and once. transcribing demanding identity. ethnic framework doanalysisactivism, sincein it thequestion: they reveals what war,and speak about of the elements key isoneof the liberation” national for “struggle the period) this they call their (Reissman,The way process and(as in 1993). participation women conflicts construct the analysis the for is crucial events these during had they experiences the to give they meaning The since meaningsmemory studying Sangsteronly (1998)suggests, notas deals with facts. the the memory, their accessing through events in these participation their constructing they are how interpret the major political events in their countries; how are they constructing these events; and dothesehow women in werethese: interviews the nation ethnicity and gender,activism, mehelped about findthe mention). answers that process,questions this not after does Initially, important thingsshe indirect the questions, about that questions probe (asking questions, Iused activism?your me you Can about tell thewar/conflict? happened after was “What you did stayed Andyou forleave do, the endedquestion lastsection country or there?” the open did What started? war/conflict timethe when the you remember was “Can second section the yourself asan activist? was” section interview first the question of ended open first The ethnicity/nationality. their to relation in issues gender and activism analysis Narrative Each interview was recorded, translated and transcribed by me. All the interviewees were interviewees by me.All the and transcribed translated recorded, was Each interview In cases,the when intervieweethe foundit hard togive medetailed response for these their of importance the discover to try I analysis narrative the and interviews the Through Can you tell me how did it all start and for what reasons?” The question for Can Can you remember the when youtime startedengaging 21 CEU eTD Collection interpreting personal and historical anddocuments, perform intensive self-reflection and is,performThat tointerviewing, beingable likediverse a numberof tasks observing, actas a it- “bricoleur”. to calls Lincoln (2003) as me it as aninterviewer, allowed case isbecause Ethical concerns such as intersectionality. strategy analytical byusingthe analysis framework the was writing differently Thelast step areputisof of procedure significant. very similarexperiences the how andpatterns whicharephrased differently; recognizenarratives being similar discourse, able to own hasspecific its eachinterviewee narrative. Because they recognizeconstruct how be able to microanalysis individual During of segments of it to thisprocedure, important text. wasvery the biographical thick fordescription analysis Thenext too. andimportant the was most conducting 8 interviewees. interviews Given the that werebiographical ones,Iemployed methodof the determining the main thematic fields. I did this through finding common themes between at least interviews/ the coding was, step next The interview. conducted the regarding reflection self and for making self-evaluation important wasvery eachinterview, immediately after notes field Keeping in interviews. the words andtheir events the of themisinterpretation avoiding in werehelpful which interviewee, voice the the and of signs me the context, the remind of made, and was interview the place where the back at go me to allowed by myself tasks these ethical concerns interviewing,of especially in the part of transcribing and translating. Performing bethe careful with me to helped bymyself interviews the listening to Second, research. for the important be really might which interview the of parts the reduce to not be careful will way this be much for andby interviews the preferable to itself translated interviewer since transcribed the One of the reasons that make Oneinterviewsmy for reasonsthe very that useof history- of appropriate the oral 22 CEU eTD Collection conducting desiredtypeinterview the focus of on andkeepingthe important researchissues. the possibility the maintainingof created of interview meantime, desireddirection the the her the story.and In past narrate the reflect on interviewee to the enough space to giving to apply Ritchie’s (1995) methodology to pose myself as a learner and alistener most of the time was a very difficult task to do. Since I used the method of open ended interviewing I made sure vice or posing myself level” then interviewer, versa the andnot on a “higher communication, relationsof power with them.for an Striving atmosphere where enough space there for open itmaintain was hard me balance to the interviewees, andthe between agedifference significant relations between the “observed” and the “observer” is a very delicate matter. Since there was a meof an “insider”. status the in granted country, the political events recent in familiarity language asAlbanian, samespoke the and the fact showed them, Iwasan that The Kosovo. from interviewees the with experience a similar had I my project. about enthusiastic andvery made interviews, duringthe feelmore women experience as them comfortable Moreover, being a gender interested studiesin student, biographies their and their working minority. a present who Albanians the and government the between issue confronting a been especially onesfrom the theeducation forinsince Macedonia has Albanians Macedonia always myself as Albanian an woman studying abroad, helped megainamong trust the interviewees, gain and to in mechanical avoid order trust from enough Presenting interviewee. the answers interviewee. Ritchie (1995)calls for attention theto positioning of interviewerthe as “insider” an and onthespace beingmeand the surrounding position comfortable (gaining accepted) trust myselfin a situate I neededto all that bedoI wasaware ableto to this order In introspection. In relation this, to to turn Iwant to Portelli (1995) who points outthat the issue of power 23 CEU eTD Collection Qendra për Trajnime dhe Studime Gjinore. Studime dhe Trajnime për Qendra done to them”, was to be fixed by me. In order to avoid such ethical responsibility of giving with theinterviewing process. Some of the women said they havefelt left out, and this “injustice formyin contacts the since it justwas published whenIhadDecember, 2010, research, finished emancipation, human rights, and peacemaking activities. I did not get women’s in to use the contribution book inmajor a findinggiven have who women successful fifty lists book rights, and peacemaking activities and so on. Reference to the book: the to Reference so on. and activities peacemaking and rights, 8 The book lists fifty successful women by it. who haveproduced givena materials major the contribution and interview the inwomen’s regarding emancipation, take to agree human interviewer the and 7 This form regulates the rules and methods of the interviewing, as well asthe responsibilities that the interviewee hadthem. Recently, beena called there publishing of a book “Values ofKosovar Women” by some of the women,mostly the ones from the older generation, to“right the injustice” done to Iwasasked dilemma. ethical important an Iencountered interviews, long these However hours. two than more lasted interviews the of Some region. in the events political the and education women’s rights, women’s women’s emancipation, talk about iseager to they were Kosovo that times. conflict the during of activism narrating their stories while interviewees would when the moments were There ones. were very traumatic have narrated women these stories the to stop for a while, since itself was very joy interviewing difficult mustof process the fornote that say great them. I due to the traumaticsomebody experiences had thought of them, having somebodythey who wasresembled consentinterested form to hear their stories was a history oral tosign an wanted they wereaskedif interviewees the interview, the starting Before purpose forof the be this research. usedonly will interview from emphasize the beginning the In order tohandleIn order issues during ethical the processinterviewing,made of I sure to One common element that I found between the interviewees from Macedonia and Macedonia from interviewees the between found I that element common One 7 . However the experience turned to be different. These women were thrilled that werethrilled Thesewomen be different. to turned experience the However . 24 Vlera të Grave të Kosovës të Grave të Vlera . (2010). Prishtina: 8 . The . CEU eTD Collection work (see Appendixwork 1fordetails),rather but give brief information on their background. my in interviewees women the of names the reveal not do I work, my in women certain to credit 25 CEU eTD Collection processes in Europe have hindered the process of treating gender in that way that itnot wouldin that oftreating that way have gender hindered the in process processes Europe democratic the with along building nation- the of practice the how show states European state” in all post-socialist communal andthe “of restructuringorder social hierarchies assistedthe structure, the patriarchal nationalisms” and gender afterYugoslavia, dissolution of the note that (2002) Mostov Ivekovicand 1999). (p.13). However, role in in of “reconfiguration the nation marginal the these analysisprocesses of (Samaddara, change of such case nation & nation marginal and play the (Ivekovic Mostov, 2002)Genderhierarchies, a significant studies non- the the, in produce, usually thenations, the of unifications Such unification. state by followed century, when the ideology of nation-building achieved maketo a cultural unification, which was in 19 nationalities andItaly of ethnicborders. Such the Germany isthe unification of example in differencesand and changes whichproduced nation state territories, inthe European building influence nineteenthmore century became(Kedourie, of even evidentwith 1978).Its process the interviewed. of women narratives the analyze the I willuseto that approach as amethodological intersectionality on elaborate I this chapter, of section last the level. In atransnational on collaboration women’s on literature project will contribute literature Albanian on inwomen Macedonia, Albania Additionally,and Kosova. my Ishowhow to the existing the literatureof overview an provide I continuation, In “nation”. the of gendering the and in each country, and otheralso scholars. In order to do this,first Iprovide howa brief elaboration on the theories of nationalismit will contribute to the CHAPTER 3: The State of Art Research on Albanian Women The concept of nationalism as a doctrine was invented in Europe in the beginning of in of in the beginning a the wasinvented Europe as The nationalism doctrine concept of by Women performed Albanian of research on state the on elaborate I In this chapter 26 th CEU eTD Collection more than that to the story. Through my study I show that in themore story.not all mystudy than showthat were passive 2001, to that Through women I model nation-state“(Dimova,the of p. 316).My 2006,this contribution topicto will be-adding modern the of creation the for impossibilities and limitations inherent of symbols signifiers- into them turns which aphenomenon focused; are struggles minority the where “idioms” Hoxha, 2006). women mothers through figurethe of lost& wivesgrieving and for (Bubevska their ones interviewees, Albanian stories describes of the conflictduringusingnarrated the of 2001, the with Albanian women in Macedonia. A study which deals exclusively with women’s experiences more of an active actor during the conflict time. conflict the during actor active ofan more 10 group. target sole consideredbe can This small. as very be to a potentialwas considered Macedonia in group minority a factoras number their 2002, before which However, had an impact on the limited studies on Albanian9 women in Macedonia, as a is scarce Macedonia from a 3 countries as single inquiry field or of interest. Literature on Albanian issueswomen's in Young, 2002,Dimova,my 2006).To studies arenothere knowledge which compare women studiesseparate issues regarding ineach gender1998; of 1999; countriesthe Mertus, (Post, too. women are practices building present nation- of structures dominated masculine in the that show I identities, their of construction women are passive actors in these processes. By presenting the case of Albanian women and the all the by showing thatnot national unification, for and goals projects onnational perspective byaddingMy willadifferent tothis literature contribute 2002). Brunnbauer,research project, (DaskalovaEastern remains of 2002;Duhacek same for countries South the the Europe include 2005;Ludi, Moreover,further women researchhasshown (Booth, story 2005). the that According to latest nationalcensus in 2002,Albanian’s in Macedoniaconstitute 25 % of country’s the population. In comparison to abovementioned women interviewed, there’s only one woman among them, who is portrayed as portrayed is who them, among woman one only there’s interviewed, women abovementioned to comparison In The literature on existing in women Albania, MacedoniaandKosova islimited to 10 Another studymade in 2006, suggests Albanianthat bodieswomen’s are 9 . In the research I performed I found few articles, which deal specifically 27 CEU eTD Collection couldbenot above contested any including identity, gender,other hasbeen in addressed several that assomething identity of of national women, 2008). The performance these Herstory the too, and expulsion of populationthe by Serbianthe guerilla outside the borders of Kosova. (History is killings mass the about actors international the to reporters as acted they when Kosova in war the during women as such roles, intheir active are shown caseswomen inother While war victims. their activism. In some cases women are presented as passive actors, mostly through the figure of and women whenspeaking about frameworks indifferent studiesarepresented in research this the war from different angle (Weeping Women, 2002; History is Herstory too, 2008). The events in studywomen’s position studies which in-depth areseveral However,Duijzings, there 2007). women 2005; & Bougarel, in (Brouwer, Kosova rapes werealsoexercised Helms towards Similar aspects. case differentthe based to of Herzegovina, gender violenceandmass Bosnia and from study under been has wartime the during position Women’s rich. is relatively Kosova and nation in Albanian women’s identity. ethnicity, gender, of categories the between intersectionality the analyze I which in interviews, identity “Albaniannessbroader “/GreatAlbania. Ido of this narratives by analyzing the of the approach of activismidentity influenceswomen’s gender-nation the of the negotiation thewithin how this innational-military butalso Idemonstrate active Inaddition, conflicts. participants showingAlbanian in women Macedonia, notonly through prismthe of symbolic of, signifiers and certifies question place, which took conflict the after before,during and gave women contribution these the theory nationalthe liberation struggle Through interviewsthe Iprovideconducted, for proof the by Anthias it) call in (as they actors were dynamic who numberwomen of asignificant Therewere actors. and Davis. Additionally, this adds to the literature, by In comparison to Macedonia and Albania, research/ literature on Albanian women in women Albanian on literature research/ Albania, and Macedonia to comparison In 28 CEU eTD Collection Albanian women, and women’s activism in region in three aspects. on literature the enrich will threecountries level of the on a research Conducting boundaries. 1444) national “ 2006, al.,that andactors et(Bayly networks, traverse linkages,complex the understanding for possibilities “analytical other many uncovers perspective transnational “international the globalhistory” (which is perspective inclined more towards analysis), social political, or nationalcross which boundaries (Bayly al.,2006,1442) In et comparison to diasporas, of study the with associated it closely therefore movement, as events these interpret to is is perspective this of approach main The frames. in broader events international and regional isnational, history which analyzes a methodology The perspective perspective. transnational transnational in a Balkans Western in women about done research much been not has there inAlbania). Macedonia (Kosova, Sinceinand this of kind was invented early approach the 90s, theylive boundariesthe of three countries the in of -outside perspective together a transnational Albania”. of the Albanian of women-"relationshipthe in context. theKosovar Subsequently, contribute tothe study Ialso women’s identityliteratureobservationmore tothebyproviding inKosova, on women Icontribute recentstudy a as a unitary made more than has this that, sinceMertus “nation” Given a decade inKosova. passed project amuchgiving outlook, one when broader another relationshiptotheirdescribing women’s the within the nationalopens up space identity national of frame in the for positioning their thus projectexplorationwomen, Kosovar for priority isa identity of oftheir “Great identity national performancethe of that (1999)emphasizes as 1999;Luci, Mertus 2002). studies (Mertus, women. My contribution to this topic is by There is not an academic research which provides an analysis of Albanian women Albanian of analysis an provides which research an academic is not There 29 CEU eTD Collection theoretical/ methodological methodological theoretical/ makes intersectionality approach which so successful 2008); (Davis, aforementioned countries. Given it isthat precisely vaguenessthe and open-endedness of this trace theirof roots activism cooperationand their cross-border with Albanian in the women the andhow faring they theframe More within are of movement. type ofideological this I to that, scope, with Albanian focus a particular who women on identifying asAlbanians,themselves are in socio-cultural Ibasemystudy this project approach. theoretical mainthe methodological/ identity. national and ethnicity their to relation in movements women’s activism, understand they how way in the similarities and differences Additionally, depict of analysis space the give interviewswill the to Albanianwomen’s published. nor were never complied that organizations of the activities the about documents Iwasgiven in Macedonia, women activists with interviews the the During and activities. wasmainlyliterature thelackdue to ofinitiative publish of women activist to their documents lackmythe Isawthat of this case).During beforeresearch, (especiallyinMacedonia’s about written been not has that activism women’s on material provide will I analysis, in the countries, inthe three women activists with interviews I have that conducted and Given activism. their Balkans. of Western in region the areconstructed processes negotiation gender/nation and of activism courses how on literature the to contribute will study the last, And “Albanianness”. the one- as identity national show how the identities fromwomen’s case unfoldseach in three countries.country Second, the compilation are of the studiesnegotiated will allow me to in the broader scale of the Albanian First, it will give a picture of how activism and women-nation relationship in Albanian in relationship women-nation and activism how of a picture give will it First, In order to perform the abovementioned research project I am using intersectionality as intersectionality using am I project research abovementioned the perform to order In movements women’s Albanian on literature tothe contribute will research the Secondly, 30 CEU eTD Collection these relationalities in times of social, political and economic transformation? economic and political social, of times in relationalities these to happens what important: is what And contexts. transnational and national in communities, category the institutional intertwinedin structural of ethnicity the and constructions of given to be broadened tosuch theoretical approaches as: how are gender and class relations, along with needs context positions”, analytical subject the understand “structured in these to order suggests, shaped the forms of women’s identity,activism and Inaddition,their asGudrun-Axeli (2005) have that factors external and contextualization providing by analysis, macro-level And women. resources and options,are andhow they involved intheidentity construction of Albanian class; how they interact when framing subjective experiences, they way they establish access to and (nationality) ethnicity gender, of categories of analysis is micro-level that intersectionality, employis identities, to of tools and shifting relationships the characterized byintra- categorical is which identity, particular this analyze wayto only The approach. intersectional the tools of complexitiesthe identity, of broad isthis almost impossiblehavinguse without analytical the to of the Albanian women living in these identity the about conclusion theory/ Giving one project. threecase study anda three context a broad different which will cover all the from an conductanalysis spaceto whichallows is approach compatible themost intersectionality explanations and 31 CEU eTD Collection activism, class, educational background, and age groups (different generations) etc. In (differentgenerations)this etc. background, andage groups educational activism, class, nation). by field categoriesgeographical (genderand they differ However, position,of their two only common in have informants the since essentialization such avoid to try I study, this identities cannotbe essentializedin one category, nor can their experiences beframed as one. In differ in other categories such as race, class, ethnicity,religion etc. Thus the construction of their they category, a common as gender have women though Even experiences. their and identities a very sinceinitiates consequences of concept women’s itusing essentialized problematic Center for Gender Studies, 2008, p.13). However, “validating women’s experiences” seemsbe to (Kosovar accounts” historical traditional in us denied been has that continuity a of development the is […] it generations, different of women among is communicating it experiences; states “women’s oral history is a feminist encounter […].It is the validation of women’s historicalinclude alsothat events side women’s of As story.the BergerGluck(2008) Sherna eventsthe “into aunique Thismethodology is truth”. importantvery especiallyfor constructing interpretationgive of “closed” a single tendnarratives to stories hasthe which challengedof the the picture frame of the event. Thus, because of the closedness of canonized history, oral history of themovement Beginning organizing ofAlbanianwomen’s andTensions CHAPTER 4:Collaborations The gendering of historical events often tends to leave women and their stories out from out stories their and women leave to tends often events historical of gendering The 2002, 19) & interpretation“unique truth.”the official theevent (Ivekovic Mostov; of intoa whichhave happened)arediscardedsole interpretation, fixes andreducedtoone absolute truth/event. of themultiple All possibilities oftheevent (which could versionthe identityinquestionare ofauniqueand giventhrough theofficial “The ethno-nationalstoryis closed narrative.which Itisastory in thecontents of 32 CEU eTD Collection there are different factors which inspired them to initiate a movement and take actionsinitiate amovement inthe and take whichinspiredfactors to them aredifferentthere from Albania), of women, (life-story) narrations the and countries(Macedonia,Kosova three of their gender. and nation categories the within women these of processes negotiation identity Iexamine the chapter in thenext this, Following nation. genderand of categories the and event, the about speaks interviewee the which in framework the concerning analysis intersectional an conduct I lastly and interviewee, do first in this,thebriefof context,then to order eachparagraphIprovide quote the I addthe construct theevents. In to narrations use women’s from history I writing, omitted canonized the Alliance. Women’s Albanian the of creation the prevented which divisions the on elaborate I part last the in finally and tensions; the of rise the about section the to move I then countries, three the in collaboration in First Iprovideinformation thebeginningof collaboration thisperiod. about organizing/ among women’s and divisions caused tensions that factors and the analyze between them of collaboration patterns the andclarify track hereisto goal Mymain Albania. beginning andthe of development Albanian in collaboration women’s Macedonia Kosovo, and analysisbroader providesthe chapter aof issue.This tothis chapter Thus, this Idedicate countries, and their collaboration on a transnational level within (1990-2010). the chosen period Albanian women’s side of story the concerning theirin participation in conflicts the threethe elaboration). further fivefor for chapter them. (See experiences and identities different shape common, in have they categories the even that show I research Looking atAlbanianwomen’smovement/ activism during in the 1990-2010period, the Given that there is not any significant literature on these issues, and this chapter is literature which any encounter explain my not During would research significant I did 33 CEU eTD Collection the factors that made factors the that them inand movement “national engage the struggle”. women’s Therefore, fieldmention Ijust groundsof the categorization on of avoidtheir work. strict any etc.). health areas,shelters,centers fields in (evacuated “less” endangered are situated the is expected from them to take care of the soldiers and the ones who fighton the battle, while they it cases, of the In most community). of the members careof the totake have they nation (where of caregivers the reinforce their roles stereotypes thetraditional gender reproducers, biological mainwhere women’s is of role as biological nation’s membersthe being reproducers Besides tracksof the Anthias and Duval's (1989)theory on relationshipthe between women and nation, means these women were taking care of their (injured) people. This role is associated with one of civil society by forsector health organizations.working center Being inhealth engaged centers, in the engaged been had they meantime in the but politicians, and journalists as worked had them moved to the non-governmental sector working for women’s had civil they society then and time, of organizations. period some for Some in politics of engaged been had informants the of some example, For define. to hard and blurry very are engagement/activism of field their defining of been in active fields Appendixdifferent (see 1for biographical details). In some lines cases,the have to women these of many found I my research During ones. loved their for in grief mothers taking care of injured people affected in the war, while, others acted and protested as wives and about women’s volatile position. I found some of them to have been active as medical doctors, standmainly were activists feelings theirconcerned national upfor whileother “nation”, to conflicts happening intheir Some countries. arenarratingas it by they were driven their strong In order to avoid essentialization concerning women’s activism in differentfields, Itry to 34 CEU eTD Collection national, military and economic struggles, it is easier for women to enter in male dominated male in enter to women for easier is it struggles, economic and military national, “nation”.the along Thisfactgoes the lines with Anthia’s thatduringandstatement, Yuval’s the in enemyandprotectingorganize part ofprotestingagainstthe Kosovo to andtake actions the interviewee for explains group thatwasenough the Albanianof reason women from activists In “national danger”, of the the framework framed within national claims addition, using compatriots. male the with along movement the in participate to encouragement women’s illegalliberation was alwayspresentthrough movements, which were for main the trigger national for demand the that explains interviewee the claim, ahistorical essentialized an Using way: in this movement in the participation women’s of start the narrates Kosovo from 7 Interviewee number/massively. in great to organize efforts madesignificant where women protests against the change of the Constitution and the elections. This was one the crucial events(Albanian Agency newsTelegraph Thisagency,all-popular turnedinto time 1993). the riots 1989, with approval the similar amendments,of whereAlbanians vote in refusedto elections the againin and were sidebyriots repeated Albanian Thesameevents demonstrations. organizing main political institutions in Kosovo. Resistance and dissatisfaction was shown from the March, 1983 with severalannexation amendments demands approved, SerbiainThe situationin ofAlbaniansand Kosovo volatile very the 80’s the was 90’s dueto constant Serbia was making was allowed about the to andcollaborations organizing Women’s taketerritory control and over the thepopulation of Kosovo. In extraordinary. They found their strategic position to contribute there where it was needed. was it where there contribute to position strategic their found They extraordinary. kept theirblood always “warm” to achieve freedom, and they gave theircontribution which was women weabout weshouldif talk and shown… have they resistance the to talkdue imprisoned were women aboutalso…and the heard was voice women’s period movements, illegal these In of Kosova. of Republic of thethe realization last 20 years. We cannotKosova. forget in done was that violence these the and suppression the against womenvoice their raise also to and wholiberation, And fornational of Albanians demand the you accomplish to tried which movements always were There know that after the World War II, there was always a strong voice for the 35 CEU eTD Collection this way: this in of activism herstart narrates from Macedonia 19 Interviewee “nation”. of the “well-being” the for of activism start their reasonfor the strong problems a political current the Macedonia found this in toavoidpossibility order contestations of “Albanianness”.their Albanian livingwomen in enjoy Turkish andAlbanians to full citizenship rightswith Macedonia. However they rejected Albanian and Macedonian)in one Macedonianidentity might have given forpossibilities the of Macedonian the people (Koinova, 2002)“. The mergingnationalities of three (Turkish, a"national state to nationalities" andTurkish Albanian andthe people "a state of Macedonian the from changed definition Its state. the of name the redefined also constitution the of changes the They also facing were discriminatory policies, dueto theirminorityof a In status 1990, group. of (“Encyclopedia living Nations”, n.d.) the a“Slavic and under state” Yugoslav the Federation. movement. inside resistance the still divisions were gender there that shows However,this etc. andsend important messages, documents zones to dangerous the through theinjured care people, passing wouldof take wherethey by shelters opening people, organizing action,take found women enter these spacesareas awayto through in masculine dominated the would capital who lacked resource human that were spaces there field.Since in this of entrance process the shows needed”, where inareas position strategic “their finding women of narration with men. Interviewee’s balanced status amore and nation, enjoy and the spheres of state the respectfrommen...the gender aspectwas that not important. What wasgreat important was the such enjoyed we why reason the was that maybe number…and great a in was activities this kind of activity…I amsaying this withfull conscience.- women’s participationin these forthe liberation of the nation. ..but I must say that we were fully aware of the gender aspect in small group of women fromall of our activities…the of Macedonia, conspiracy next tenyears committed were required even this and more difficult…I illegal, was one considered of were whothe activistsactivities our in thesince studied one, hard in Kosova and tookto the general condition activeof the situation that we were facing as a nation.part This period was areallyin the causeMy activism started in1987, in highschool withdifferent kind of activities whichwere connected 25.17% minority of a constituted Macedonia in Albanians hand, other the On 36 CEU eTD Collection Macedonia; there were lots of Albanians who would go study Pristina in in their mother tongue language. 11 party. things However, develop didnot way the these womenwere planning. werelong There the of composition inthe include themselves to in women tried some was created Macedonia, countries livethey in.In 1990, when firstthe politicalparty for(Party Democratic Prosperity) in the started parties political first the of creation the when sametime the at was initiated of was willingwho person courage the totake risk andengageinillegalactions. politically. Issuessuch gender,as education and class were bypassedby importancethe of the she is using emotions, Here, “nation”. preservethe of “well-being” for the her motivation to of importance emotional as essentialized unitsmoments to explain is the readinessor to critical inthose matters what that Shesays legitimize facing. was population whole the times conflict of that herperson motivations to act dueto issue, processof the how easilyfacilitated again reveals was participation women’s within to act the given situation, The Kosovo. she frameabout gender the Macedonia from which Albanians within and speaks which pointsby includingit the inbroader to referring terms, “nation” aboutthe “nation” speaks she to the since there. shestudied Kosovo to connected but wasalso Macedonia, shewasfrom factthat the stresses interviewee This of the risk they were taking. However, they differ in the way they speak about the national cause. mention the term “illegal activities” in order to show the seriousness of the situation and the level interviewees The two forces. political by theYugoslav threatened was time that which at forthecause organizing started of it “nation”the as ahomogenizedimagined (assuming entity) Since the Albanians inMacedonia, at that time didn’t have any opportunities to study theirin language in This interviewee makes too clear from it beginningherthe that activism and women’s gender. his/her personality of that personand the readiness of personthat to act without taking into consideration Another interestingAnother finding during Iencountered myresearch is women’s that organizing 11 Additionally, when saying “the condition they were facing as a 37 CEU eTD Collection they they faced lobby when difficulties for their to tried equalmembershipwith men. status Albanianwomen, thecase 1993).In these of & of party gatekeepers Lovenduski, the the (Pippa 2003) This ismostly, is since politics one of areas, male the andpredominated usuallymen are & Montgomery, (Matland difficulties by followed is parties political as such spheres dominated male the into entrance women’s Therefore 2004). (Connell, health education and welfare, social infrastructure, economicmilitary,police, power(government, of state centers the havemen dominate to states modern agencies) whilepriori the majoritybe a to not gender of problematization the made has of spaces these on women women of representation to be placed in sectors lackfor substantial The (Connell, male 2004). is presence only there in where gender places like political science. He claims that these theories notdo mention gender because they cannot “see” explainIn on in to heorder theories(2004). and philosophy reflects this theory state the of “blindness” gender on theory Connell’s to turn to want I marginalization the explain to order samethe status as men.And they achieved bymarginalizingthis them into awomen’s forum. In enjoy from with formen’s notto Theyobstacles side from party. women the created reservation from explains frame:Macedonia thewithin situation this them in which awomen’s forum would function under the umbrella of party.the Interviewee 20 as should toenjoy meninmembership party,divide women’s or they group the status samethe allow should they whether party, the of creation the initiated who men the among disputes . Thus, the differences between them and men were invisiblized. Today foris it Today common invisiblized. men them between and were differences the . Thus, As explained intoaseparateby mobilization unit women’s interviewee, the was accepted Macedonia. in processes democratic Albanian ofthe start the for work important most wasendangered due to “greatthis men’s patriotism”. Nevertheless we took didall the part...and only ones. They did the the same not were to we some men too, aside…but left were and thiswomen wasas We, PDP. becauseof the the establishment creation the after of the partyimmediately happened This PDP. the within association women’s Albanian we created women eminent 15 Party for Democratic Prosperity. I have many witnesses forwhat I am saying. Together with 10- create women’s organization. This associationwas supposed to functionwithin the umbrella of the The main goal was for me to establish the movement with women’s group…in order for us to 38 CEU eTD Collection structures. However,structures. this was not only women beingabout included inthe political structures, political formal the into themselves incorporate to efforts in their Macedonia, from women the The Democraticcalled in Kosova, Albanians of League party political first the of creation in the of participating were who Kosovo. The Albanian womenpresence in party,the reveal theproblems and between tensions group the of women andmen from Kosovo faced similar issue as where the creation of the Democratic League would be mentioned, women’s presence would not be mentioned. not would presence women’s be mentioned, would League Democratic ofthe creation the where 13 organizations donor international from support financial and moral receiving and organizations non-governmental other with cooperating by country, the in force 12 forfacts” “untold the thestory, andherrevolt narrates interviewee The way the says: independent for association alongerwent period bylong followed Interviewee discussions. 10 women whether among dispute the in Here Macedonia. ones as the in party the problems same the encountered they shouldin Kosovo started with the creation of the first Albanian political party. The women fromstay Kosovo within the party as Women’s Forum or separate thesituation narrates within framework: this into an 4 Interviewee of inMacedonia. most cities the would cover which independentorganization Therefore, they decided to close the short-lived Women’s Forum in the party and create an When the interviewee was asked, what does she mean by untold facts; she explained that in most of the cases the of most in that explained she facts; by untold mean she does what asked, was interviewee the When strong a became and ofMacedonia territory the entire in branches 30 over created League Women’s Albanian Similar to the Albanian women in Macedonia, the first intentions of women’s organizing women’s of intentions first the Macedonia, in women Albanian the to Similar with the formation of Albanian Women’s League Women’s of Albanian formation the with time- The Party forDemocratic Prosperity,which did not want to include us in theirparty, resulted misunderstandings from political The parties,Macedonia. in or may say Movement I theirWomen’s negligence of thepoliticalof Albanian factor development at that the for periods important the In my opinion those two years, I mean period the from 1990-1992 was of one most the beautiful and constitutive part of the Democratic League. Democratic of the part constitutive persistent to raise our voice the in meetings, but Iwill neveraccept thatwomenwere not the the status of this party was created…Now I that am thinking about it…maybe we were not too neighborhood/ quarterthat we are talking now,women were present in main negotiations where evenmentioned that inits creation, not is women it participated unfortunately where too. Iama witness resistance, ofthe of front that. Exactly peaceful a was in this which League… Democratic beginningIn the we did not create a realpolitical party but an associationwhich is called the 12 39 . 13 of women’s CEU eTD Collection Women’s Forum. Theforum umbrellawill act under the of party.the intervieweeAs 10 as named be will on later and Association, Democratic Women’s called be will first which forum a created they abandon party, political thus the notto withinpolitical party.decided the They men resistance towards byshowingmanifest greater decided their dissatisfaction Kosovo to from women asanindependentorganization, themselves forum party and separated within the male is area). “nation” the most (which the dominated hierarchical highestwithin asmento the position closer have samestatus them the placed would with inparty political the accepted Being “nation”. the and party political areas:the dominated masculine the to they were posing by threat “double” bethe explained can party.the This of meetings first in the presence women’s deny to tried have which contestations, such been have accept that never women I will but meetings, in the voice our raise were to persistent too not were not we “maybe saying Her the constitutive part men. of behalf on resistance evengreater ofencountered wasthey party, political the enter to trying the Democratic League“implies from left ofAlbanian women.Kosovo when the attempts ones to women Specificwere about that there men, “domestic” for the while belong)were reserved nation state the the and (where affairs” “public the roles, female and male in the divisions rigid more even made private, public/ of and the” private”, has contributed to the gendering of the nations and states. Since the dichotomy public” the” of division systemsthe and political Western European creation the modern the of They genderinginitiatednations the“socialtheory” contract of suggest that and ,which states. the on has contract” theory “social the of impact the on elaboration (2005) Booth’s and Tolz’s want torefer to I process, explain this Inorderto power”). state of “centers male dominated the of one also is (which “nation” the to closer get to women the of attempt indirect an also but Unlike the women from Macedonia, who were not satisfied with the creation of the 40 CEU eTD Collection This ofnationalismtype is expressed as“a ideological modern movement” through which nationalism”. “symbolic called nationalism of type specific a of definition Smith’s present from women countries three united together: had they gathering first their on how explains 15 Interviewee “nation”. Albanian the of part inForum Kosovo they fordecided tocooperate the forthcoming events concerned that them as of women in Macedoniafrom Kosovo were the first ones to start organizing. Within a shortperiod of time, the organizing was also women the same However, year. werecreated inWomen’s League Macedonia Albanian initiated, and through areas. male dominated within their place the women how negotiate show theirprocesses These closeinterviewees. other from mentioned were party the in men and women between contacts with it relations initiative. firstshould of clashes party Similar power that been him to this have take Women’s Since this issue belonged to the male dominated area, she was told directly from the leader of the were the first ones to The framework,start in which the interviewee presents thecollaborate flow of the events, implies that women more intensively on the issue of “national unification”. “nation”: the to issues related explains, they had constant disputes with men in the party, especially when it would come to Before I start analyzingBefore Istart framework within which the intervieweespeaksIwantto the nation. our for sisters like working together united lands our from women Albanian seeing of womenfrom all the Albanian lands…and this was magnificent. Albanian were there There and was a vision...athe meeting bigattending vision women 700 above we had dimensions, wide very in assembly first its organized Tetova, in established was (AWL)which League Women’s I want to mention another thing which is really important about the movements…Albanian Returning to the historical context, I must note that Women’s Forum in Kosovo and another meeting, he had wanted to be the in first me told to he collectthis, After the them. Albaniansbefore first, nationwide. something do women when jealous very are men fear…but also something that I neverunderstood it…to say that it was jealousy…maybe, since our party, but he did not accept it. I am saying this very clear and out loud. The reasonfor withinthis 24 washours…but they did not want Kosova to leave leave to immediatelythem obliged they want which to meetstamps” with the “black the leader of given were Albania from women The 41 CEU eTD Collection way: Interviewee 10 who claimed children. violence of andthe killing against aninitiative apetition for decidedto take to have been a witness ofcountries. all this events, structures After theattending story this women. between the more “sisterhood” issue on the of elaborate the Assembly organized outside of Kosova by imagining them assisters.working together in Later this Iwill chapter, by AWL, living Albanian women her to closeness about even speaks when she is evident discourse Women’snationalist symbolic the of use The them. with Forum territory same in the living nationalities other from Kosovo, definesdiscourse theseterritories aspurelyAlbanian, takingintoconsideration without the nationalist symbolic This borders. state official the consideration into taking without came from. In she this context uses this term for the places where Albaniansin Balkanslive become visible. Additionally she uses the term “land”, torefer to the places her fellow women vision Albanianof landswomen and united together", elements the of symbolic nationalism categories (Smith, 1999, 27).” The discourse the interviewee uses when talking about the “big by identity- of and on drawing ethnic cultural pre-existing the communities resources and unity autonomy, their nations- maintain or “defend to aspirations their state groups social population; alleged killing and poisoning of population; Albanian and poisoningalleged children, killing of discharge of population the Now, I want to turn to another important aspect for the women living in the three in the living women for the aspect important another to turn want to I Now, The interviewee constructs the story such The interviewee story by the factors as: violenceconstructs listing againstthe working places...this signalizes genocide…ita their wasfrom genocide made to us in indirect manner. gynecologists the and pediatricians the especially fired, getting doctors and children children…and of poisoning this made the this issues broughtto beagainst up to jobs, the public.their Finding from neurotoxin poisoningpeople of amongst the discharge massive the against Yugoslaviawho his had residency Zagreb…andinin this meeting we indicated our requests a lot of other international organizations but also to Stipe Mesic who was the last leader of this was the definite motive to make this petition. The petition was sent to the UN, UNICEF especiallyand to against the killing of a 12 yearold child, who was killed from the Serbs with a hoe. And We made a petition with 220 000 signatures from women and children against violence and 42 CEU eTD Collection women’s hadfromshows they delegation support men’s both, and side.women’s What the Albaniaand theRepublicof of by President the welcomed Being goal. accomplish their that she is trying to put an emphasis notice can story, one the her way tells The she people. totheir was beingaddressed that violence on the risk and the sacrificethe against andcontribute their own on dosomething to eventsdecided wherewomen rarest the they had to make in order to 14 framework: Albania of in18 whowas partof group wentthe to women narrates event that the this themselves in maledominated field the by Interviewee“national using the rhetoric of demands”. incorporate to they triedhow explanation is another there, petition take the therisk to take class.age Presidentof decision anddecideto toturnthe Albania or theirTheir next gender, godecided tothe public to bylobbyingfor issues the they matter were concerned with,of no scope of advocacy their group, as women’s united were clarify though they even thathereis to “whole”. My point was not children. lobby Theirgoal forwas to and protest wholethe for“nation” population,their asa limited onlyprotect directed onlywomen react wasnot to and willandreadinessto showswomen’s that to women’s affirmative forWomen’smain in Forum take manner. reason action such to This a decisive issues, butfrom it theirwent workingbeyond places, that. especially They the discharge of pediatricians and gynecologists as the Kakavia is a crossing point of the borderline between Greece and Albania. and Greece between borderline the of point crossing a is Kakavia The way the interviewee narrates the event is through the framework that this was one of one was this that framework the is through event the narrates interviewee the way The went through Kakavia through went problems in the borders of Macedonia...but we did it and then we traveled to Greece...and then we Kosovo...andthousands even here of signedittechnical options wasthat we could convey papers the petition with. The illegaltrunk of our carwas loadedwith of thewas topetition…andthe mosthave Albania to Kosovo from we took dangerous that trip This women. them. 4 were We us. welcomed which League) tripthis I I haddo signaturestakennot in myknow life.invitation, and women’s At wereAlbania’s organizationhow was it that and inAlbania time, that (whichat at wetimethatof Albania carried time was the president under the the wemadeSocialistreached news did These nation. mother notour outit have withillegally tapes andall other theevenAnd at that time, Ipersonally proclaimedin infront of the media that we will send this petition to 14 , and the delegationof womenwas waiting forus there. 43 CEU eTD Collection Women’s Alliance nationwide was born. In the next sub-chapter I explain and analyze the rise of idea creation how Albanian for the of the the explains interviewee in the path, this collaboration collaboration women’swith governmentthe to so they Finally, by turned groups. directing their experienceto they showsthat adownfall the duration doubted and thestability their of about were his and government President the that addition, explaining areas. In male dominated operation as women’s institutionalization their of withinmean collaboration would power unit,gaining greater theirscope of which would empowerhad inmind theidea for the institutionalization collaboration.of women’s The them to enforce themeetingtheirPresident, with women from the Albania since was very too, important they already representation in the countries. three the coming from women Albanian the separating no boundaries are there space,where imagined this to refers League, the of dimensions the describe to order in nationwide term the Using Albanian women” is again based inAnderson’s model of nation the as imaginedan community. 15 direction: in this event the of narration the continues 10 interviewee continuance In discourse. her of lines the along go not do which factors discover to not order in Women’sasa Inthis(through “weapon” Forum). case,hersilencecanbeinterpreted sheuses to belonged too she political Leaderof party the the is not mention of reaction the does interviewee Ramiz Alia was president of Albania at that time. The discourse the interviewee uses when speaking about her idea about “the Leagueof ideaher about about speaking when uses interviewee the The discourse nationwide. women, of Albanian aleague promoting idea of of thecreation theAlbanian Women’sAlliance. women, of women’s forum. At that time, being in contact with women, we were talking about government will dissolute. We took part eveninthe First Assembly of the Democratic Party of was in position, but who was soon to who experiencesomebody with a downfall...And meeting unfortunatelywere we since also very media soon the from the publicity received delegation The Party. Socialist the in were who women the also but league Democratic the accessing were who The way the flow of the events is narrated in this part, shows that besides meeting the We sent this petition toRamiz Alia 15 , but we used this moment to meet with lots of other women 44 In my head I was having the idea of the CEU eTD Collection mentioning the “closed borders” the interviewee speaks about the era of era theinterviewee the andof the speaksabout communism the“closed borders” mentioning When time. that at Albania in circumstances political the out pointing by them among divisions explain these to interviewee tries the Furthermore, and Macedonia. Kosovo from women between of closeness feelings stronger the signifying womenMacedonia from the to as “sisters” identified. She uses the term “guest” when referring to the women from Albania, while she refers when makes women aboutthe from befrom Albania talking and oneseasily the Macedoniacan difficultiesthe findingof acommon language between in participants all thisthe way: several which problems theirdiluted primary Intervieweeexpectations. 1from Kosova explains encountered they women, national fellow their with talk and unite to meeting illegal an attending of risk great a taken had gathering the at present women the of all though Even unification. meeting was andreally sabotage about to ifit it has been organized onthegrounds for national the what out find to officials, police send had They meeting. the about alerted been had Kosovo in authorities police Yugoslav the a nationalist cause, to was connected of meeting the purpose the that Given Kosova. in meeting a secret to Macedonia and Albania from women fellow their accomplishedby Albanian from Kosova, who,women right their after visit Albania,invited to be to soon was nationwide Alliance Women’s creation Albanian of the The idea for divisions and Tensions Alliance with women from Albania, Macedonia and Kosovo. during Women’s Albanian of mutual the efforts creating the thatarose tensions andconflicts The way the interviewee speaks about the participants of the event, the differences she differences the of event, the participants the about speaks interviewee the The way what we were going through; knew They we felt different. were them as our Macedonia…they sisters.from women Albanian meeting…but of this risk the Kosovaours…that of equal isapart itwas of an part too…they them could evenunderstand not they couldunderstand not the reality…especially our reality.They couldunderstandnot that confused…and very confused, were they borders...and its closed had time the at Albania Since The guests that came …well for them it was the first time they had come out from their country. 45 CEU eTD Collection made the differences between the women. She constructs the story frame: story within the this Sheconstructs women. the between made thedifferences has ruling the how on specific more is 8 interviewee case, in this however in them; differences Albania. otherhand,the they present themselves asvictimsunderstood notby theirfellow from women (they had openborders and more possibilities for mobility than womenthe from Albania). On relationship because in from one hand women Kosovo place themselves in a privileged position relations, opens this theambiguity andpower discourse theirof question reveals the of the women from Kosovo, she places women from Kosovo in a victimized position. The use of of reality understandnot the they from that Albania could womenatthe out interviewee points the way the Second, promotes. community” “imagined the “reality” the from different very be to proved which circumstances, social and political current the with clashed paradigm) from Albania.“reality The of their solidarity” (reinforced by “imaginedthe community” women the and them between differences existing the emphasizes first, interviewee the reality”, hand,other “they understand through framethe speaking not could the reality…especially our the On Alliance. Women’s Albanian the of officialization the regarding meeting in the agreement achieveto for failed attemptfactor an women division the and their of asignificantpresents and Albaniain a more privileged position from rendering women Albania as“confused”. This Kosovo from women places interviewee the mobility, cross-border for limitations and possibility Kosovo hadborders. By from mobility the moreMacedonia and thewithin to pointing women Albanian them, Unlike countries. the other towards of Hoxha politics Enver isolationist Enver Hoxha was ruling and things were different for them. Even though he might have achieved have might he though Even them. for different were things and ruling was Hoxha Enver when time the was us...it to compared high very was time at that education their of level The us. from position different in were they since Albania in Albanians the exclude I language…here The Albanian society at that time within Yugoslavia was suffering for proper educationAnother in their interviewee considers the ruling of Enver Hoxha as something that created 46 CEU eTD Collection 16 in their case but regime, from communist the “free” to themselves had wanted They experience. a the meeting had different Albania from attending living The women they with. were andfight defend their values national forbeen oftime. through along going situations hadnotdealt period with They having of to Kosova had and from Macedonia thatAlbanian women lack ontheissues to their of experience and the risk the officialization of the alliance would bring. Their unwillingness was closely tied frame: explain differences within other this to continues Interviewee too. other19 initiate differences can education, of level in the differences The in. lived they countries in the rights citizenship study to freely in language. their own a Thispresented big enjoy obstaclefor them to full the inAlbanians Kosovo and Macedonia give much spacefor too regime not side, Yugoslav the did made education one as of priorities top the in which peoplethe focus should on. On otherthe Enver Hoxha wasknownfor his authoritarian ruling towards citizensthe of Albania, he and lived. they which under regimes the between distinction the out pointing by again difference for factors differencesthe among theAlbanians livingin threethe countries. She explains this Here I referto the common literature, folklore, songs, legends, national historical days, national symbols, etc According to the interviewee’s opinion, the different level of education is one of is main of one levelthe of education different the opinion, interviewee’s the to According asset...an asset they still posses...and the one that we are still trying to reach. the educationof the population in a non-democratic form...he left to this people a very rich The interviewee explains how Albanian women were not prepared for responsibilities the prepared nothow Albanian The interviewee were women explains not reciprocal feelings about the nationso all this failed to be officialized. Hoxha…Democracy for them meant being able to get out of the country. Unfortunately there were wasdemocracy Albania in liberation...and fornational one and democracy for one handle, to wars two understoodat that time was not understood inthe same prism in Albania and Kosova andMacedonia. We had Macedonia. I am not saying this was only in the aspect of the intellectual position...but Democracy wasbig a difference in the mentality in Albania and the mentality of women inKosova and Yes, itis true wein had a meeting but…they were not ready ...they were not interested...listen; there the sense of liberating themselves from the dictatorship of Enver 16 which were constantly being jeopardized by regimethe 47 CEU eTD Collection women’s asit First, organizing. before was shown in when chapter, this in Kosova andwomen in divisions created that factors the analyze want to I In continuation, sector. governmental non- in the or structures political in the themselves integrating by activism their started women frame: in this League Democratic the within organizing started first they when situation the narrates they Women’sorganizingstarted into Forums Kosovo Intervieweeand organizations. 1from when beginning, appearedsincethe differences organization. The within differences own their inreflected women’s ways of andorganizing divisionsthe reinforced and among tensions them. didnothave todoanything national with butmoreliberation, with typethe of ruling. This was Albania,women from democracy meanttooppose thecommunist Hoxha rule which of Enver for the While, regime. and federal (Yugoslav) their from their state liberation meant national andfrom Albania, thewomen Macedonia. Kosovo democracy from For Macedonia and Kosovo, living in. Democracy in this case is one notion two differentmeaningswith such as for women were women the that regimes the of ideologies the between distinction the out point to wants intervieweemeanings onceagain different the the Using two democracy, about example the human rights, nor their right to education as it did to thebasic people their nor from Macedoniavalues, national and and Kosova.cultural their of integrity the jeopardizing not was regime the The analysis I have conducted so farinled so The analysisIhave chapter, finding, mostthis that conducted of tothe the of bypassed by men. kind were we everything...but activities…for other for and field the in battle the for accepted were we standing… were we where wesaw and created was ofwomen Forum the end the in men]…so and [women categories two the for beequal to needed movement The together. men with track then…and agree not did I I of freedom. stillkind some asked association the do Nevertheless not party. of the umbrella agree for women today group ofto women wasbe seeking a separationseparated.of womenas a group, but they would still inthe We wantedI was to moveone in theof samethe women that opposed the separation from this movement as women. The other other narrate respondents the of interviews the divisions, and differences these Besides 48 CEU eTD Collection organizing and collaboration in the three countries started. The reasons for this initiative were Thefor this reasons started. countries in three the collaboration organizing and associations). there were Second, organizations. society civil and political parties sector: differentintosubdivisions first were divided countries three the from women the since Alliance, Women’s Albanian of realization the for of women experienced not cross-party divisions amongwomen. This division presented anotherobstacle within theseAlbanian political party in Kosovo and Macedonia, and the sectorswomen who entered these parties had only was there time this at because, is This in Albania. parties political into divided women (different political parties, different political Intervieweeparties. 10 explains factorthis in framework: this different into divided were Albania in politicians women The division. additional an for factor another encountered they Albania in women fellow their meet to went they when Next division. differentorganizing (political sectors society), parties first intwo the and civil which presents members- asin with enjoy resulted theother the men, thewomen’s party. This samestatus the for and being meantnot givenin “othered” the some forum them women’s of to opportunity necessary.was not women gathered believedthat Being forum women’s party,the other within in being united by bea single they effective more that could considered While some themselves. shoulda special belong they forum to within different created the part, attitudes among women men. The question women should equal whether enjoy membership men in with party,the or by resistance firststep to jointhey Macedonia madetheir encountered political the structures, From the events and analysis presented in this chapter, found they when surprise I agreat through is story showed the narrates interviewee the way The how you. among dialogue women’sinternal own, your find “women, was ourmessage separated…and were they unfortunately Albania...but in happening were that changes the for and nation, our of issue the for lobby to capacities and opportunities us but also And this divisionwas like a knife between the two differentbrought political poles, didnot just surprise sadness to us. In the both divisions we found great women who had the 49 CEU eTD Collection Alliance. differences in enjoying citizenship theinstitutionalization rights prevented Albanian Women’sof regimes; understandingsdifferent democracy, about minority majority and andrights; in such political divisionsas thedifference the Factors among them. thatcreated differences more they the in the realized visitingother countries, their started each andstronger women women activists awareabouttheiridentity. gender Subsequently, asthe cooperation grew issue making thus the some of too, emerged outside processes,these During gender them. the of mainly due to the endangerment of their co-nationals within the borders of their country and 50 CEU eTD Collection conscious theirabout identity,gender gender in thus they put place. first the Finally,in the last very are women when cases present I one, second the In with. identify they category main the as nation casesof I show women prioritizing Inthe firstchapter sub-chapters. in divided three is chapter the therefore gender, and nationality ethnicity/ their about narratives construct women “nation”. Albanian the of identity collective the within identities individual their shaped has that how and women; themselves “nation”, towards the howthey constructing“Albanianness”are andgender as women’s identities. Ifocus my analysis on the discourses and symbols they use when positioning inshow how to in categoriesnegotiated the of and“nation”gender analytical are order approach in the last chapteraccomplished due to the existing divisions among them. Following the construction of the events and thealso for theiridentity. gender Inaddition, institutionalization the wasnot of their organizing analysis self-encouraged women’s of organizing intheframework contributingof“nation” their for and the divisions;male centered areas. In the previous chapter Iargued that the paradigm nation’sof endangerment in activist in women as role their narrate they which this through framework main is the This “nation”. chapter the of “well-being” the for contributing in common- I element one have use them of all however a more oriented question are thediscourses, symbols and the ways ofgendering.”(Kasic, 2002,190) “There is no doubtthatall national ideologies are gendered,what mightbebroughtinto Nation NationalProjects CHAPTER 5:Gender, and The interviews conducted with the women activists, reveal three different paths in which paths different three reveal activists, women the with conducted interviews The backgrounds, religious) and educational, (class, different have research my in women The 51 CEU eTD Collection state unification. Such make ideology nation-buildingthe achieved to followed acultural of which was by unification, unifications of the Nations, example of Germany inand unification Italy is nationalities ethnic of the 19 the usually produce, the buildingterritories, Such changesinborders. whichproduceddifferences/ intheEuropean Nation, the non-nation and nation state of evident with process more the influence even became Its 1978). (Kedourie, innationalism of in as wasinvented a doctrine Europe of beginning the nineteenth the century concept the Moreover, 1997). (West, traditions several comingfrom European roots patriarchal on based been have to is considered context European in the concept a as nation of construction specific involve ways to themselves in thepractices. national and processes state The Women masculine have 2001). (Ivekovic, tobreak capabilities tried boundaries by these finding andby of thestatus still its Moreover, nation reputation one’s the determined status”. are “secondary left the leadingwith women are while nation, of the positions inplaced centered construction, relies in the family model (Balibar &Wallerstein, 2002). Men are the ones own whoits are in nation, The state. the of nation-building the to related processes these from rejected state is particularly women,discriminating towards as since Connell (2004)argues; women are Bose & model In andManchanda, 2009, (Mostov, 1997). addition, outsiders kindof of this the citizens for producing has constantly been criticized nation-state Themodel the of states. these up manybrought questions about critical position the of and minorities the migrants living in Prioritizing nation women’s identity as one. construct such andthey as intersect nation gender and of categories the when cases Ianalyze chapter The issue of civil rights and the status of citizenship within the model nation-statesof has 52 th century, when CEU eTD Collection national struggle relates to the Anderson’s theorization of nation as an “imagined political this: Macedonia states from 5 Interviewee in own country. their feelasoutsiders made them that main factors populationthe nothavingstudy country;the of the rightto in language wasoneof their own the makingup andcitizens of nationalities the part Macedonia a as constitutive of of Republic the they as mentionedcivil Macedonia. Even inthe Constitution of full rights were citizens though frames. (national) constructed transnational how the (innation iscategory of constructed narratives)women’s their in identities in regard to this by examples on literature will giving to research project Brunnbauer,contribute 2002).My (Daskalova 2002; Europe Eastern of South countries the for same the story remains the includewouldnot 2005;Ludi, women Moreover,(Booth, further 2005). researchhasshown that it inway that that treatingof gender havehindered theprocess inEurope democratic processes studies in the European states innationalisms”such case However, of analysis andorder (p.13). all post-socialist the state” show how the practice of the nation- communal restructuring“of structure, hierarchies assistedthe social the gender patriarchal and building along with the Yugoslavia, of dissolution after the note that, (2002) Mostov Ivekovic and (Samaddara, 1999). in the reconfiguration of the marginalized nation in theserole processessignificant a of play transformation.hierarchies, Gender 2002). & Mostov, (Ivekovic nation marginal the and The thediscourse intervieweenarration usesinher their inabout participation the us. for borders not were here...There emphasize to I need like feel I that thing one is there tried to engage ourselves andparticipate in the struggle fornational liberationof the nation… studied inPrishtina (Kosovo) atthattime…togetherthat with Macedonia from a womengroup of womenmany too not from were Macedonia we outsiders.there were (Albania)….we motherland At that time we were under Yugoslavia which included the territories that were outside of our The Albanians in Macedonia in 90’s the were facing many difficulties with enjoying their 53 CEU eTD Collection Kosovo in her language own along with otherAlbanianthe people livingin Kosovo, especially from studyMacedonia went to in University the of inKosovo.Prishtina Getting an in education Macedonia until it2004, when was legalized aninstitution.as Therefore, most of peoplethe by of notaccepted government were the issuedillegal in diplomas and the country the its in languageAlbanian university creation, until university 1994. After the as considered was Macedonia tostudy in language.their own The Albanians in Macedonia did not have a in had they lack opportunities the of the again emphasizes which she studied, a place where as Prishtina mentions She liberation. national for in cause the aspect gender the about awareness mentionssheHowever, of showsher that shealso the women with, wasworking which group woman. a as sphere dominated male the in presence her legitimizes also and to, belongs show she her nation-state the in feelsshe to closeness to used affection and order term this first She place. at “nation” puts she motherland, herAlbania bycalling her“nation” to closeness showing and outsider an as Feeling construction. identity her of path the about explanation an regime. Posingherself against regimethe dosomething and saveto willing to the“nation” gives explain that sheto trying waswhen a outsider an woman as herself defines She living insider. the and in outsider the of Yugoslaviadichotomy who felt the need to take action frameworkthe in which intervieweethe talks the political about against is situation defined bythe the and of livingfeelings“homean borders theirthe of outsidertheir while country”. outside Thus, they belong was a leading “ideology” for them. As such, it strengthened their“Albanianness” thought they where community, imagined an as “nation” in the belief the however, Kosovo; and community”. not knowmost Thesewomen of their did Albaniannationalsfrom fellow- Albania “imagined of from the concept the originate liberation” national “in for struggle the participation the and feelings, national strong the “Albanianness”, their women, Albanian For community”. 54 CEU eTD Collection The question she asks is “what can we do as a group, as individuals as a nation, as people of the imply heremphasize to importancethe ofher gender whendealing with this kind of activism. might make not anyclaim that does interviewee the this case, “nation”. her In feelings towards and protests for the interviewee, and this lead to the construction of heridentity through the close reaction of feelings enticed case, alienation first the to Similar domination. by theSerbian caused describe ofsuppression and discrimination inorder she which to the feelings mentions again This neo-Darwinist isby her of discourse followed beingdomination feelingof “the other” nation surviveto andbe strong. The one iswho stronger dominates the one iswho less powerful. dichotomy of “them” and “us”. Domination is the key concept here, since itis the only way for a this rhetoric: within identity individual her construct and nation, the of identity collective the of “mentality” made thatwere andinjustices discriminations to “nation”her leadthe wayfor hertofitwithin the in facing. Macedoniaabout andtheones Albanian were Herawareness inKosovo people discriminations and injustices the about aware became she when nurtured were identity national However, it also alienated her from the state she was born and lived in. with women madeclose herother herget to co-nationalsher alsoto and “Albanianness”. The way the interviewee talks about her understanding of the “nation” is through the is through “nation” the of understanding her about talks interviewee the way The can we do as a group, as individuals as a nation, as people of the world. feeling of measuring what is bad and what is good...what is equity; are what human rights;what in Kosovo and alsoother” one…and of coursein the institutionalMacedonia...in domination of the Serbian politics upon the Albanians the nationand identity national who dominationneeds to survive through discriminatingand “the a way raisedare smaller. Anddeep this is let’s say enoughwho of and a reason weaker inside are for who me to nations get deeper other to to thisdominance mentality their show to want of they the and me dominant feeling the feeling are who are nations yes there that out found expressed...I of mature...more more get to trying protestand and the Like ayoung personbeing on my 16-17 ages...when let’sssay intellectualthe hormones are rising and for “nation” the herfeelings how narrates from Macedonia 9 interviewee Similarly, 55 CEU eTD Collection educational and cultural institutions as an aggressive and direct attack towards educational institutions Albaniansand the and attack cultural direct and asan aggressive the on attack the constructs she this, about speaks she way the Through politics”. anti-Albanian arepresentedfigure, as victimizedwhile enemy the the Macedonians had “an who anagendaof asthe theAlbanians inMacedonia interviewee constructs enemy. victim The the the and achieve.framework of anti-Albanian generatesagainthediscourse intending This to was politics resist the separation the to strategy be agood would countries in other the nationals fellowher discourse: this within discriminations these about speaks Macedonia from their language, but also tonot be able to nurture and develop their cultural values. Interviewee 3 in tohaveacademicprosperity beingnot able meant Albanians forin Macedonia, nationalities territory and cultureBeing (Chong, unequally 2001). treated part with other the of the suchas historic patrimony, their protects andconstantly unit, as awareness of a collective them people’s keeps identity national side, other the On identity. national one’s of preservation the for as aspecificcategory. than women nations, of the strategies andthe roledomination of individual the acollectivity,within rather which shebeby her speaksmight influenced of interest which field ismostly on concentrated playingin in the ofheridentity arole construction the “nation”.relation to Therhetoric within inworld”. The She aspect gender is this issuecase issilent gender overlooked. on how is According to the interviewee, the strong feelings for the “nation” and the unification with unification the and the“nation” for feelings strong the interviewee, the to According have all of them written my book. I and time, at that influenced have that factors the and conditions the all examined and studied the school withAlbanian in languages.especially I am saying environments, this with Albanian the my full in responsibility, implemented and since practiced I have center, Belgrade the from directives course of were These Macedonia. in Albanians of the wealth national the symbolized that everything and institutions cultural and educational the first attacked politics anti-Albanian structures and categories intellectual , startingthe for from the schools, salvation the especially be would fromthis theschools…becausethat believed we time the that ...at separated were We The protection of the national history and the cultural values are the very crucial elements 56 CEU eTD Collection towards the intellectual and cultural preservation “nation”. of her preservation intellectual cultural and the towards herthrough strongaffiliation the nationalmore to specifically cause, herthrough affiliation In isheridentity matter. herin gender thecase,her“Albanianness” nationality constructed role the of her about concern emphasizes that interviewee’s side from the acclamation indirect is ofher intellectual there to Similar capacities the people. nodirector interviewee, previous the protect and save to trying by issue national the into herself engaged actively who woman their unificationthat beliefs strong Her nation. the of construction of project wouldintellectual the towards efforts her be the salvationabout lot a tells politics anti-Albanian the and forperiod in that Albanians the of situation the intellectualanalyzes elite adds Albanians. Furthermore, herengagementmoreinto aresearch thisabout issueby which abook writing to her profile of a identity itis obvious thatshe futureintellectual aboutthe wasworried of development national one’s whichconstitute ascategories values education and cultural the about concerned deeply Being nation. the of creator intellectual of the character atypical performs interviewee the case, this In nation of creators intellectual and heroines discourse: national in the characters be iswomen defending assumedto with “nation” the insilence.their presence for “nation”, the inbattles anddefend oneswhoparticipate menarethe manner. While indirect nation. inidentity as accepted of thisis through an their silent the defenders done However, be can women where nation the of unit essentialized homogenized, a creates “nation” the the of one’sendangermentnational wealth. Thisof rhetoric of forbiddance the development on on one’s meansa values Whiletheattack intellectual cultural of capacities. development one’s the for prohibition a means institutions educational the on attack The identity. national their In opposition to the silent identity, Chong (2006) identifies two types of women of types two identifies (2006) Chong identity, silent the to opposition In 57 CEU eTD Collection not clash. The more “maleness” one has, the more it coincides with the idea of contributing to contributing of idea the with coincides it more the has, one “maleness” more The clash. not most do time of the nation of and gender them for categories the formation since nation, the of They claim: men. of that to position their of a comparison and nation” the of “field in the position women’s (2002) theory “doubleof bindobligation”morein-depth ,whichprovides a about analysis identity definemain Ivekovicto turn theirconstruction.of to andMostov’s course HereIwant ofnation to category the allowed thatthese women shows again organization; an independent they should organize as women’s forum within the political party (The Democratic League) oras whether dispute important the Leaving out fightfor. to decided cause they “nation” main wasthe the of situation dangerous the women other and interviewee the for that clear is it salvation, national cause usingdiscourse: this towards the national feelings strong alsoexpresses Kosova from 18 interviewee interviewee, former the Similar to cause. She explains women’s efforts to participate in the struggle for the The “double bind obligation” doesnot apply men masculinityto whose fits into the particular- through theimpositionof a double bind obligation.” (Ivekovic & Mostov,2002, 17) (the contradiction) to its subalterns ingeneral (“minorities”,”ethnicities” etc.) and to womanin sex/gender. The nationitself involves contradiction asits constitutive conditionin that itassigns it it. So theyimpossible. Womendo not resemblehave the ideal. However, hard they identify, they will neversatisfy to naturallychoose resembling their ideal. For women[…], this identification is both necessary and betweenhierarchythe accept who men those For pattern. the to adhere to else anyone (the like invited being paradoxically brothers),are true it is In the nationeasytoas acommunity, women,subjugated theto withina hierarchy adhereinsuring powerto some nation[…], to it because […], they andcan identify, being theytrue find themselvesto their own significance aboutthe statement, such Giving “nation”the its a strong of struggle and the fight together to with ready were ourwe men needed, andwas get that the freedom everything do weto have ready were we dreamtand of liberation forsuch national a the long for time. important issue was the issue of the nation…we forgot that we are women.We gave all ourenergy out andthey wanted to form anindependent association.came At this women timesome forthe most of organized…but, us, the mostmovement that in entered women we-the movement…and the in active was which League Democratic the except association other no was There 58 CEU eTD Collection to join them and help them by to join andhelp means in cause for freedom. them all them 16 national Interviewee the their hadmen At thewayforthis women “nation”. and time,opened organize asagroup defend their more inspired to even them Thus,this organizations. from women’s excluded communist the were they Yugoslavia under were they when before, is that women Albanian concerning broadly due to the critical situation muchlive.benot to Albanian for discussed was tooposition Second, there createdspace women’s to by the eruptionright their even jeopardizing ofwas who the enemy the from war. themselves liberate to Anotherin order men with important detail this kind suppression of was common for population whole the fight hadand Albanian to women First, reasons. two for time that at them for important more be to had enemy the of suppression the against up Standing identity. women’s of construction in the factor important is an regime fight along men.Their strong with determination freedom for the long from the wanted Serbian abandonshows had to they that issue gender the identify with and theirnational cause inorder to we are women”“weverifies statement such this kindof position.strong forgotthat Claiming a we arewomen” that forgot “we theinterviewee of discourse aforementioned The identity. their accepttheseroles,whichimmediately gender subjugates tothem, assigned or passive roles either deny the to choose to have women since very complicated is process negotiation cases, the Therefore women negotiate arebound withinto the most of” frame doublebind obligation”. In 17).” 2005, & Mostov, sex/gender (Ivekovic own totheirand being true nation […], to the true being between choose to have “they Therefore it”. satisfy never will “they nation, the of category both categories gender andcontradiction. nation together. The moreEven a poses “nation” the them For opposite. the arequite things women, For nation. the theyin theemphasize cases when their they gender will identifyidentity, with the harderthe is for them to merge 59 CEU eTD Collection “heroine figure” as one of the characters created during the interactions of of of categories duringinteractions the created as one of characters figure” the “heroine model the of this have identified andChong Gutie’rrez Natividad “heroines”. act as victim and womennegotiate thistry to representational”figure” of them by playdenying to rolethe of the national future subjects. raping the is land,woman the raping nation; raping it the means "polluting" land the the and very incommon times. Women’sconflict/war bodies are whatrape duringis war usually about: of arethemaintarget bodies rape are wherewomen’s evenmore. Cases aremanipulated bodies symbols of nation; the iswhich itself. nation the Beingin such put a critical position, women’s the become bodies their women and while nation”, the of asthe "defenders arecreated figures placed in ona men’s nation asymbolic the of framework,position manner. representing In this mention, women beingsignifiers about of ethnic/ national here bodies Women’s are differences relationship in conflict times. First, Iwant to mention one of the tracks Anthias and Duval (1989) hereisconcept gender-nation manyconcerning the verycrucial since itanswers generates offer their “bodies” to contribute to the war for national liberation. The use of the “body” had thatwomen area.The mentions to interviewee ashighly maleusually marked dominated that women’s inclusion in the war was achieved even in the ranks of the army, an area which is battle. the in directly them with along fight even to army in the accepted were women how explains On the other hand, being placed in this position (which is very close to the nation), some nation), the to close very is (which position this in placed being hand, other the On The womenintervieweeway the speaksabout and their in participation thewar,shows liberation. national – the goal only the for work to wehad aware was women…everybody people…and at that time we did not have to create organizations to mobilize these nationalthe for fighting were they since imprisoned were women had Drenica…we cause…we from were them hadthese women are not treatedother equally…I have gotten to know these womenpersonally..most of womencontribute in the war...they were to equallybodies their taking part even during in the offered war, and yetand they today cause, after liberation the national the for lot a contributed They areas. the war runningThere were lots of women who were part of the army. This wasto more common for womenfind in rural aid for the other helpless 60 CEU eTD Collection her gender and national feelings. She expresses the same feelings of alienation towards the towards alienation of feelings same the expresses She feelings. national and gender her interviewee from attitude towards from subchapter, 19 expresses Kosovo previous the different rhetoric for national national for unification and conflicts the liberation). interviewees Unlike the discourse/ (the processes bythenational itletbenot contested to she aware was that something “nation”. define They as gender andmaincharacteristic primary signifier the identity; of as their their identity gender negotiatewhen trying to their position with men in strugglethe for the of role the awareabout noticeably some women were times, conflict the by,influenced during gender Prioritizing is reachtheideal ortryingachieving "everyone" “nation”. to the equal under that means also which woman-land" "men-soldier; of binary this from breaking are women as they in that “offeringbodies” their she isspeaking discourse the especially performedthe activities, people, imprisoned andthey men.were the sameas By mentioning these male) (usually “nation” from the the protects enemy’swhich fence as body the attacks. presents interviewee the bodies” their In offered addition,“they these women sought to find aiddo Albanian transform tried samethat the to to Bymentioning,women thing- show their roles. for the helpless inthewar,aims contribution women’s explain usesto interviewee the discourse The “nation”. the of for “well-being” the deeds” make “extraordinary to she achieve where one an active of transformation figure into traditional the of women’s during as the wartimes actor, apassive 12)”. Thisdefinition the process explains (p. have extraordinary fragile women deeds achieved and courage with sex weaker filled the has which homeland love forthe of an act as “heroine” women/gender and nation nation zGarc women/gender(Agra` and In my research I found that despite the presence of strong nationalist rhetoric they were they rhetoric nationalist strong of presence the despite that found I research my In Õ ´a de Alba, 1992) explains this process of a becoming process of this ´a deAlba, 1992)explains 61 CEU eTD Collection which is also elaborated in Anthia’s and Duval’s (1989) theory. Women tend toparticipate in the addition, issue the ofAlbanian beingwomen called machines” “birth issueopens another for In “nation”. Albanian the of women the against go to wanting by “nation” whole the to threat to the Albanian men whole andtothe And “nation”. Federation had the Yugoslav posed a great of nation”.the She tries explainto that the Albanian women were considered asvaluable symbol differences. The interviewee makes such a claim when naming the Albanian women “the epithet participating innational positioned bybeingprocesses assymbols, signifiers of ethnic population in Kosovo. This statement, again, confirms Anthias’ and Yuval’s statement of women they were the onesAlbanian the stating that, women Federation had problems directly with Albanian womensince that were causing confrontation inwith direct Federation Yugoslavian by the is story positioning she frames the problems liberation cause.Theway the“nation” the national this and about of time period talking when with the growing birth-rate of the Albanian strategy from previousthe interviewee. rhetorical a different identity her of reveals construction the however Federation; Yugoslav In this women’sIn isinclined in this more interviewee case the speakingabout situation towards inside the presented We Federation. Yugoslav the for problem big a presented Albanians movement and the cause for national liberation. women’s Albanian the on actively working start to why decided I reason the was This question about women, and there was the the possibility in alone ofwere we being misunderstood men…but and women bytogether our men. all were we Here Yugoslavia. within the divisionof Albanians from Yugoslavia and the creation of an independent state/ republic Albanian womenat that time. This issue added up more to the dominant opinionof that time: birth to so many thechildren...and working committees for Albanian time (“Ekspres womenthis politika”, to “Borba”).The bewas issueawarded went to the point wheresuch inthere order were proposals forin a thembigfound in the newspaperarticles of period the to 1987-88 in the most eminentstop newspapersprejudice of that givingbe can facts these machines”…and “birth called were women Albanian 90s. concerning ofthe politics the positiondifferent committees of the Federationat that time, and it ofwas to be used lateron in thethe a problemwith Albanians- it was the natality. The issue of the natality was brought up in did not know anything husbands…They their of elseslaves were butwho women to as make articles children…and this in presented were nation, this is the point where Yugoslavia had period? The problemenemy would that destroy inany them way.How did thewomen’s issue thisin appear was that Albanian women from Kosovo, who were the epithet of the 62 CEU eTD Collection national crisis shows that she put gender as the main characterizer of her identity. To conclude, To identity. her of characterizer main the as gender put she that shows crisis national they have a great support equal the as men,status and when issues children)fromtheir(giving birth to becomeissues, nation’s men. Her desire to work in with “struggle” toparticipate this areaccepted side,women one In nation”. “struggle the for only with women during This situation lotinequalitiesin aof reveals between powerrelations andmen in women their the times of men’s only issues shenot issues, these that issues.women. buttheir defines we Here (women’s) concerning werealone were intheissuesthat they however Federation; Yugoslav against the menliberation innational with for they cause she that the were together again states end, once In the issue. in national women whole about the she prejudices tofightthe wanted that itclear “birth machines” and the intention to award women who did nothave too many children,makes was being directed to women, such as the one she mentions about Albanian women being called issue genderthe themain for that startofheractivism.as the reason politics The discriminatory stresses she fact, In issue. national the within issue gender the of sensitiveness the about aware compared to the previous interviewee. This one was aware of her genderidentity, and completely for Albanian” the nation” whichwas livinginsidepartly and outside the borders of Yugoslavia. nation” (even though they lived inside the borders of the federation). However, it wentin support “reproducers of Yugoslavia. Thus their of the “Yugoslav role wasgoing nation” againstthe interesting. They were “excluded” from Yugoslav the nation, even though they lived in to contribute nation. “well-being”the Albanian women’s of inthisvery position is the regard giveable to birth children to the moreof the nation,the they participateare allowed to and are of more they The nation. the reproducers by being processes also nation/ state making of the The construction of the interviewee’s identity in way in identity is of interviewee’s developed case an this opposite the The construction 63 CEU eTD Collection and she was making a contribution in this national struggle against the enemy. The way innational makingand struggle way againstshe this The enemy. acontribution was the she brave was she awoman though even that her, around people the make to achieved she that show Mentioningwomen are alsocourageous. herher,of neighbors about the opinion she is to trying was important to bemanner. heritin For indirect figure”, butnot “heroine upon the shebuilds hercharacter; explain in frontto tries ofinterviewee the way The matter. the in this gender her of conflict,importance the about tells a woman where she she was factthat the andemphasizing “nation”, of forexposedthe being” the“well andworking conflict herselfin the part active taking of pride Showing battles. national in role inpassive their and women order to show that about stereotypes patriarchal of existence the shetells about wasawoman, factthat of the risk herlife along with men,andthe fight even though she was The a women. acknowledgment using a discourse of symbolic act of resistanceinteresting examplefor analyzing heridentity thewithin categories of gender andnation. First, she stresses the fact that she decided to stay and within framework: this the story She narrates nearhouse. fights their andguerilla bombings alone, were there fight when to sons and husband her leave to refusing by spheres, dominated male these into agents active as crisis, shows once again the close correlation of nation and gender within conflict times. wasin when period explicitly “nation” this factissuethe duringthat the the women’s appeared The way the interviewee constructed the narration of her story, makes an her case this of story, narration the interviewee constructed The way the consequences. serious many bear we could that knowing time the all there we stayed us”…and with here do notyou fearyard, anything, her shein is here. It interviewee] does[the notH…. matter see you if as the others long “as are leaving others the to orsaid not, shehad will men be the neighbors, bombing. There were cases when we would be the only family still staying there...and our close a woman. In the neighborhood where I live,leave. Fear was therethe last to thing us for onwere need no my was mind there lots… I and was actions, going of tofurther for stay arreststheredecisions and and fightmeetings even for base by a though like thewere I We waspolice, gun fires and interviewee from Similarly, toopen 13 Macedonia tried enter for women opportunities to 64 CEU eTD Collection their cause for gender in this fight, and what is more important, istheirdoinfor and they more gender cause this this fight, by what to try employing herin frame: identity. stance of this Shenarrates gender of her awareness development close ties to her “nation”, but in identity act her by wasdriven way. and gender “nation” negotiable to a very She her narrated by getting close to it she found a strategic way to not ignore thecategories of nation and gender supplementing eachother. these identity their narrate women configurationother, with the each and clashing avoid inbinary categories.both ofgenderandnation categories of to In putting the order differentstrategy by maketrying to the process of identity moreconstruction negotiable in terms nationalistically orientedgender. of or that or nation of only category the by mostly either preceded devoted being identities women’s of examples to Nevertheless,gender issues. Ipresented nation. sub-chapter In previous of the categories genderand construction the within I found some of them to employ a this nation and Balancinggender is not to say thatmannerin times. conflict indirect the all of in claim heragency to story neighbor’s her manner, sheuses thus in say a direct not I wasbrave the women as form does a agency. of She narratives usesthestyle of referential she her“bravery” explain interviewed were only Even though they have close ties to their “nation”, some of them also try to incorporate to try also them of some “nation”, their to ties close have they though Even for and rights children’s the the betterfor profilingrights of making women’s positivist,for progressivecause politicsglobalized a worldwide. cause…to higher a to bring can women ofthese way. Networking peaceful a in be achieved also can It force. by be to have but nation, lots of your nations to haveonly the same problemsbelong not asyourdo You nation too…and time. the same resolved the at issue world does not alwaysof the woman a are you but You being know applauded by these holding speeches soyou see you ofpart that are your nation heridentity,Interviewee intoher by speaking toolkita different regards 9 uses about Other interviews with women revealed a different path of their narrative identity 65 CEU eTD Collection identity. The interviewee started her contribution for the “well being” of the “nation” with the with “nation” being”the of for the “well her contribution interviewee started The identity. sheboth, manages tobalancethecategories ofgender in nation and construction herof the activities thatreflected into her merge identity. Achievingto desires her of gender importance her Albanian from awareness the Kosovo speaks andMacedonia, women about concerning the with sisters” like working and organizing “of desire her hand, other the On feelings. national for the “nation” and her work with women within this framework: and gendercategory during theidentity. construction herof She abouthertalks patriotic feelings nation by of same strategy clash the hadavoiding the employed interviewee 5from Macedonia Correspondingly, nation. and gender of categories two the balance to want who activists have)strong nationalistviewssome by this women women isused of the type the rhetoric case(despite the diffuse InAlbanianwomen’s (p.19).” conflicts dialogue to compromise and engage to ina and morewilling of differences, more (ethnic) in tolerant interested morepeace, “”naturally” figureof genderpresentthe women as which about patriarchal the stereotypes is basedon claims, as (2003) Helms inthis of women aspeacemakers explanation rhetoric used common most The hers. as identity national same the share not do who people other rejecting sheis nor identity, hergender is she havetomean rejecting that not her does nation” “cause of the for fighting that And world. the of people other the from herself (differentiate) “other” to not intervieweepeople thatthey a peaceful of Mentioning istrying world,approach. are the the the The interviewee’s idea to “make a national reconciliation” speaks about her strong about speaks “make reconciliation” a national idea to The interviewee’s them. It took us very little time to organize and start working as sisters. I met during these activities...and this was a great opportunity to gatherwomen and work with during my temptations forfeud reconciliations among families I started working withwomen that national liberations so wasI accepted very wellfrom them. The good thing in all this was that of reality. Nevertheless people were informed very well about me and my aspirations for the between the other men to do this kind ofreconciliation activity. It was really hard for people I got outin from jail Iwanted the to to make acceptnational reconciliation region.that …I mean ageneralkind national I wasAt that time my activism startedassigned withfeud reconciliations. I got this idea while I was in jail.from When Prishtina to do this, and I was the first women 66 CEU eTD Collection reasons. One of the reasons for the missing literature on Albanian women’s movement is movement thelack Albanian on women’s missingliterature Onethe for reasons reasons. the of was achieved.of institutionalization a utopian project address wouldachieved. questionsthe have HereIwantto of if this changed what be to likely less Alliance Women’s Albanian the of institutionalization the made This them. citizenship rights; differencesthe in identity the negotiations enhanced the divisions among rights, majority minority/ regimes, political in the differences the besides that emphasize to is here My point them. among divisions the more even reinforces identities their of construction main discourses: prioritizing gender,nation,balancing or both of them. The in difference the three generated analysis The negotiated. nation are and gender and categories the I showedhow stories, their narrate interviewees the which through frameworks the Examining activists. women and encourage them in workingon together challenges.their current to women with other communicate “odas” to of entrance the since women used the too, aspect genderthe itevolves towards however feelings, from national the starts identity interviewee’s negotiate performing their kinds started these construction activities. The genderand of the of national issue wasin danger and helpwas needed from everywhere, some women achieved to discussperform men However, issues. in“odas”to the activity andthis with since these sit isit inamasculine for wasa women space, performed problem to Since national reconciliation only when men issues thatonly enter, could important they would decide.men discus were to madefeud reconciliation “oda”.was These called inspecialrooms rooms werespaces where national reconciliation. Women were not allowed to perform these kinds of activities since the was men dueits relation to strictly by performed that feuds,something reconciliation the of The institutionalization of this alliance would have been good to achieve for several for achieve to good been have would alliance this of institutionalization The Albanian the of processes negotiation identity various the analyzed I chapter, this In 67 CEU eTD Collection chapter. concluding in the matter this on more elaborate I public). wider the to media, the institutions, governmental, non-governmental important other to known areasof society (made the dominated more cooperation and havebeen visible itwould especiallythan now, inisstronger the male women’s women’s the alliance, of With institutionalization the building processes. nation and in thestate especially society, areasof the in mainly male predominated the passive actors undocumented in history.the Hencethis toreinforcewomencontinues the stereotypesabout as of grounds issues, human orany women’s issueisrights of kind going unnoticed and the on it be collaboration of existence The cooperation. this of institutionalization legal of 68 CEU eTD Collection 17 in countries other of are active some them in.were born However, they states in the working been had interviewed, I women the of Most countries. three the within border carryenvironment andperform throughtheirlifeprojec region…Borderland activitycanbesomething thatpeoplehave grown upinamulticultural “Borderland identity is withinnot somethingthatisfixedtoaperson’slocation theborder, CHAPTER 6: Mapping the Borders: Imaginary vs. Official State Borders women’s aboutopinion their collaboration today. analyzingthe of Iturn into next(concluding) Asfinal chapter, the point, a them.andoutside of in, live they countries the within borders the concerning narrations their analyze and women with interviews the to turn I Then countries. the between issues bordering the on elaborate then and states, three the of borders the with countries the of creation the about contextualization provide Macedonia andAlbania; and theirinfluence in relation women’sto collaboration, Iwill first the institutionalization of the Albanian Women’s Alliance within the three countries. achieve not andthey could times, conflict the after level leda lower cooperation of to borders) official and imaginary of flux (the them among divisions existing the countries; three the alignhelped and timeswithinspaces together strengthen movement to themopen up women’s evencountries. Iarguethat for their “theduringthough participation national struggle” conflict other the from women Albanian the with ties their and identities their influenced countries born. Iwant tosee how they narrate their location and their activities outside the borders of their When saying different country, I refer here they moved to one of the three countries of my research. In this chapter Ifocus cooperation In borderland hadinwomen’s identities on this impact the chapter To understand the meaning of state the and imaginary borders between Kosovo, 69 t.”(Prokkola, 2009, 32)t.”(Prokkola, 2009, 17 ; from the one they were CEU eTD Collection manifested through massive Kosovarsmanifested from through killingsandexpulsion help With homes. of their the government. Startingfrom 1999theconflictual until between thesides1997 situation was two power relations and between annexation Albanianslivingthe inKosovo and Serbianthe Yugoslav inFederation 1918. The period from until 1918 1997 wasa timeconstant of fight of the into with Serbia Kosovoentered After that, of Serbia. as part by internationals the recognized excluded from Albania. InMay 1913, with treaty the of London, the territory of Kosovo was independence in area1912, the of Kosova which wasinhabited predominantly by Albanians was formerachieve to republicof violence. without Yugoslavia independence Republic same inJanuary yearas 1991(the Republicthe Albania).is This of state “the only become Following a Macedoniabecame to Elections, anindependentstate. Presidential the Macedonia(1990), was continue to deciding whether of beingpart Yugoslavthe Federation, or inannexations, 1991, itachieved toproclaim itself asa Republic. Albanian state (Hall, itwentseveral 2000)Even through though changesand regime time for Albania first the ofAlbaniaasan 1912,when settledproclaimed since was borders were on stability the borders andmobilityof bordering withinpeople of present The the countries. constant political instabilities and changeof Theseregimes. changeshave hadimpact significant with is characterized region andthe countries history of three the the that shows here, provided history the of context brief The 2009). (Mostov, obsession an became mapmaking said- Simply in innationalist region,Yugoslavia.of presentthe especially territory wasalways discourses the Redrawing borders by contested means,any (sometimes byforce)even and the use of The history The history Kosovoits and isof moreterritory Albania complicated. When its gained regime communist the of collapse the experienced Albania when period, same the In 70 CEU eTD Collection withinAlbania went andKosovo flow.on opposite the border points, Theydecidednew toopen entrance ofKosovar people was strictly prohibited. On the other side, the negotiations bordersof as administrative border, meaning Serbia it was still considering Kosovo as administrative province within Serbia. 18 boundaries” "administrative as them proclaiming By critical. very were Serbia and Kosovo between borders Inthemeantime, the n.d.”) sides (“EurAktiv, by and two mutually the accepted wererenegotiated With borders Union, European the the dissolution. Yugoslavia’s help of the even due more five important to the left kilometers thousand internalborders, of from issue Macedonia. The between the borders andof renegotiation becameof Kosovo Macedonia beto reapproved again;but negotiationsthe managed timeKosovo this and were between Macedoniain 2001 (Meha & without Selimi, Kosovar consentthe 2010) of itofficials.was Now mentioning the Kosovar- Macedonian borderline. Thisborderhad been approved by and Serbia new points. Athisaari’s border proposal had touched issue upon of by the borderingtoo, the for opening of the and advocating borders ethnic existing already the of was theestablishment Agency”, 2010). Information months later(“Macedonian seven Kosovo Macedoniarecognized relations, while acceptindependence. firstKosovo and Albania the ones to establish wasamongst diplomatic neighborhood countries andits ally countries thathad continuously supported their causefor Woehre, 2008)Following the independence declaration, government the started lobbying its with 17 inFebruary independency Kosovo’s declare to decided officials government anddebating, the much After deliberation independence. United Nations.the to given was Kosovo over governance and Afterstopped war the community, theinternational the of after war period, Kosovo was constantly to advocate its request for Serbia rejected any kind of recognition of independence for Kosovo. Thus it proclaimed the borders with Kosovo with borders the proclaimed it Thus Kosovo. for of independence ofrecognition kind any rejected Serbia One of the main goals for fostering diplomatic relations with its neighboring countries neighboring its with relations diplomatic fostering for goals main the of One th 2008, making 2008, it 193d the country in the world (Kim& 71 18 , the CEU eTD Collection 19 from people the different was completely culture foundMontenegroithard adjust to tothis identity,Yugoslav common theirlanguage since and Kosovo and Macedonia, of Albanian residing intheterritory people values. While,the cultural Serbs, Croats and Slovenian people, who spoke similar languages and had commonalities in their in wascreated tounite Kingdom the peoplein Federation order of region. the Yugoslavian The them intostrict units of majority and minorities. In a way, this is what happened to the Albanian create cycles between separating ofinequality “Hard”borders people the bordering“hard” (p.6). borders of is country. Mostov that bordering, This type according(2009) of astrategy to of borders, means imposing rigid ofinclusion and policies exclusion on people living within the national identity cultural (language, values, mythsEmploying etc.). rigid territorial and symbolic their create that elements andthe identities impactpeople’s on has agreat restructuring way of “separating from pullingin them or 2009).” one another them This together (Mostov, one roof strategy boundary setting,of boundaries the newdrawnboundaries, where set among people too; purpose the of achieving equivalence of nation and the (Gellner, state implies 1983), thatkind of into “soft” Redrawingborders boundariesclassification andof with “hard” borders. territorial her and strategies” setting “boundary- on elaboration her and Mostov to Iturn region migration 2010). (Likmeta, illegal of rate reducethe and in trade cooperation broaden their cross-border to in order they they such encountered beingproblems asnot tostudy allowed in their language, nor show own of civil and citizenship In rights. casethe ofAlbanians living under Yugoslav the Federation, experiencefeel to problems peoplethe by identity excludedimposed who start (nation)-state, the identical tothe people livinginAlbania. Nationalities whofind it hard tocope with collectivethe Here I refer to Serbs, Croats, Bosnia’s, Macedonians, Montenegrins and Slovenians. In order to In explainorder the issueof and borders the theirmeaning tothe people livingin the 72 19 living borders withinof the Yugoslavia, and CEU eTD Collection differences between them. Interviewee 19 narrates her impression from the meeting in from impression meeting way:herthis the 19narrates between them. Interviewee differences along theAlbanianKosovo, womenfrom madeand with Macedonia existing them realize the country and meetwith in womenmeeting from the Their countries. other secret presence the borders of Albania an presented foropportunity womenbe the ableto tomove from freely their the of “softening” The country. the of out in and move to visitors and citizens its for mobility communism inAlbania, the isolationist politics of its country the and borders opened allowed fallWith of the the better. for changes significant some been have there regimes, of the change (Mostov, 2009,7).” “hosts” of potential borders at the or states “home” of their “hard” boundaries the within minority majority,and assignhierarchically memberships,differentiated and keeppeople trapped physical and symbolic boundaries of inclusion and exclusion fixed create that identities of Her definition of softborders is best solution forthe preventions the in of conflicts countriesthe former Yugoslavia.of borders stand for borders with are inclinedandhappenedin warsthat region the Western of Balkans. towards “breaking of conflicts series andthe violence of the part in escalation the agreat played politics border” down the “hard Consequently, in Albania. living minority Macedonian the to applied was principles this an was not exceptional strategy political Albanianstowards living inMacedonia. The same However, differences. national emphasize would that names with children their name even to allowed werenot Albanians In Macedonia etc. nationality their towards apparent predispositions at that time was not understood inthe same prism in Albania and Kosova andMacedonia. Macedonia. I am not saying this was only in the aspect of the intellectual position...but Democracy wasbig a difference in the mentality in Albania and the mentality of women inKosova and Yes, it’s true we ameetinghad but…they were not ready...they were not interested...listen; there If we look at the condition of borders between Albania, Macedonia and Kosovo after the “soft” with borders “hard” of replacement the that, argues this, Mostov to In relation 73 CEU eTD Collection Alliance nationwide. But the differences they had just discovered in the meeting did not provide not did meeting in the discovered just had they differences the But nationwide. Alliance meeting that hoped had they theirs, from identity national different a withpromoted that states and Federation their “sisters”presented abig confusion theirabout understanding of theirnational identity. Beingunder a belonging of question the Macedonia, and would Kosova from women For other. each with things result inKosova. While thewomen from Kosova and that Macedonia understood they had more common unification and creation of Albanian Women’s way: in this meeting in the felt she differences the narrates Kosova from 11 Interviewee rapidly. very identity their differences managed to they meettogether, to women the hadallowed Albania of looseningthe Now values. borders of that the cultural languageand they same shared the “imagined their for community”longed all have they Instead have. they differences the realize to asthem allowed not something had that them, among existed had that wasborders rigid The sides. on three the from the women the on intensity other sidesame the have ofnot did themotherland in their living border, co-nationals their with unification for desire but with whom countries) revealed many things for all of them women at the meeting. First they realized that the time. at the communist Hoxha’s from themselves freeing meant Albania from women for while Kosovo. Democracy in Macedonia and Kosovowasfightingminority for and citizenship rights, and Macedonia from ones the to have in comparison Albania from women the of democracy the The discourse the interviewee uses, she puts an emphasis on the different understanding different the on emphasis an puts she uses, interviewee the discourse The Women from Albania had a hard time understanding the “mentality” of women in women of “mentality” the understanding time hard a had Albania from Women wewere. issues same the about respected them a lot, but from my experience...those and loved joy...we that came great with to them Kosova werewe awaited not thatpassionate borders, its opened Albania When other. each have been isolated just like us, since weboth belonged inYugoslavia and we have been closer to ways…it many so has lot...in a beenKosova supported have theMacedonia from motive women the Albania… from of women patriotism…theythe with one the than broader much been has Macedonia in women with cooperation Our have seen and loved Kosova as their motherland. They in womentravelfreely AlbaniaThe from other wasgivento that opportunity (to 74 CEU eTD Collection getting biggerand biggerand therenoconditionswere for survival in the refugees stuck the to the stability of the country. On the other side, themass of the people waiting at the border was problems cause serious there and Albanians with the unite of would Macedonia borders the enter fearedby Macedonians that borders, the the massopening wouldAlbanians of thatKosovo from framework: in this theevent narrates 12 Interviewee borders. the opened they internationals, from the inmost of them.much After from deliberation the government of Macedonia, with advicethe and feelinginfuriation was present forthe had inKosovo, the revoltoccurrences shown great of was very for critical stability the of Macedonia, sincebynow,Albanians the living inMacedonia Accepting fullKosovo, from Macedonia andKosovo the were bigmass of people. of refugees between points border insize,the was done from Kosovogreat expulsion of the population the Since Albania). to sent were Kosovars of many how number (Provide in Albania. living families border points andproportion allowed agreat Albanianthe Kosovars by of be to hosted the cause, since when massthe of expulsion from Albanians the Kosovo began, Albania opened its event. the attending were they when time “passionate” and “not of being discourse usesthe interviewee time.The and atthat in Kosovo Albania atmosphere passionate enough”political current the of conditions specific on created differences than rather differences, to mark the existingfixed essentialized, arenot differences ideas. of These such for the accomplishment space differences among them at the The decision of opening the “hard” borders had many different implications. had “hard” manydifferent The borders of opening the decision Macedonia. in be dislocated can conflict the that fear big a was there and society Macedonian the in rising were stereotypes other in because too, Albanians Macedonia the for but nationwide, people Albanian the for of crisis momentum a real was came inMacedonia, in Albania They and itMacedonia. was an in institutionalimpact crisis,Macedonia…great political in crisisimpact great inMacedonia. a had It crisis Kosovo time that At national the for effect positive had a borders Albania’s of opening the Nevertheless, 75 CEU eTD Collection control over moreAlbanians, job the wereopportunities This provided etc.). allowedits thegovernment toloosen border withlanguage, Albanian the language become second language official in areas mostly by inhabited Macedonia, in improvements citizenshipthe rights for Albanians (they opened universities in Albanian since the risk from the illegal movement of KLA about women’snarrates cooperation and meaning the within borders of framework. this women’s in engagement differentactivitiesthe during the conflict. Intervieweefrom 2 Kosova seriousness inconflict times, of showthe Kosovo from the andMacedonia organizations inhouses manner. avery rangemutual The coordinated of by taken activities women’s people’s Albanian into them accommodate to achieved they and them through pass to nationals break therestrictions borders in to the were determined of They focused helping their co- in way: story this the narrates Macedonia like neverbefore.from cooperation its from strengthened Kosovo Interviewee 6 and Macedonia middleKosovo of and of borderline the Albaniancooperation Macedonia.Atthis women’s time, After the conflict of the 2001 in Macedonia, the framework agreement providedin After some the conflict Macedonia,the of 2001 the always find away. had we problems...thisWomen…yes was Albanian not achieved easily…passing ofKosovar the borders creativity wasthe not alwaysabout easy..ButSkopje in we would exhibition an had we ofEducation Veterans and of Writers Group the and League Women’s Albanian Forum, Women’s with together then Tetova, in meetings We had intensively. we cooperated League…and Women’s At that time I also consulted with Albanian women from Macedonia...they were from Albanian they that again once shows times conflict the during provided women these help The pedagogueslike and psychologists who worked inthese camps too. professionals women We had again. internationals by financed Neprosten, and of Cegrane camp the in worked We have war. the during camps in worked we projects...and psycho-social were given by us.the We warhad wasprojects branchandover, we made sure to distribute the aids incooperation with the international theyactors. and After with border the Passing findingfamilies. started our in which of Kosovars their accommodation loved the we regarding onesto activities collaborated wasgo a veryback hard taskto towar do.their started, the We When had refugees. many with supported we the lots ofwomen league homes,coordinators structured and of organized well Albaniansa theBeing women forandapproached the aidmoral in fromeachus and as andanKosova. organization financial we wereThey coordinating support all the was 76 CEU eTD Collection the injured people and gave financial means to provide peace. toprovide means financial gave and people injured the 20 and Kosovo from women Albanian the between a stronger cooperation idea the about However, bigger. were them of three between the divisions since the accomplished not was Alliance their “nation”. Themutual desire of from women threecountriesthe toform theirWomen’s Of endangerment wasgreater. factor- to getunited the this of byanother wasinfluenced course to show that during the time when the “hard” borders existed, the desire and will of these women is here point My nation. mother their to felt they closer the and “enemy” the towards women of 14 explains thefinancial factor in way:this “well-being” activities “nation” forin the of borders. andtheirnational thinking Interviewee giving they stopped financial women’said NGOsandhealth to centers,they lowered their also Albania”, when thus for “Great cause national in interested the not were They injured people. international actors The conflict. of financial donations by provided humanitarian international the timesorganizations atthe of lack the mentioned them of Some organization. their of inactivity the and Kosovo from women organization, they couldnotgive aconsistent answer about the reduction of the cooperation with members of the interviewing the When slowly. its activities Women’s Leaguereduced warAlbanian the after andMacedonia, Kosovo from between women intensive collaboration Albanians in Macedonia had impactan women’s on If cooperation too. during the war was there Liberation(Kosovo Army)had been improvementreduced too.The of situation the of the By international actors I mean humanitarianorganizations and governmental states that provided financial aid However, one thing was for sure- the “harder” the borders the greater was the resistance wasthe greater the borders the “harder” the sure- for thing was one However, mind at that time. time…and the materialistic side was not involved here at all. Money was the last thing onfrom our out get to women of their houses willingness and do something different….feeling...the and believea great me such this was was very difficult at that ofmotivation..It scale a high exceptional …I saw was suchthis immense willingnessareas...and in rural ofof women women to be active organization…education and do ofthe things … there subsidiaries more was …creating fields…schools indifferent beginning the in of women volunteerism a great was There 20 were interested in wereinterested peaceandprovidingpromoting aidfor the 77 for CEU eTD Collection countries in it a peaceful manner,provided for better opportunities mobility the citizensthe of of did itmean that they had to use force in order to achieve this kind of cooperation. tohaveorder cooperation cross-border with Albaniansthe living neighboring the country. Nor nationals.co- their and them between The barriers” more no “having as softening perceives she which borders imaginary of the borders meantthe of loosening hereisthe she mentions important thing most the However, interviewee. that the of pride theynational the reveals again once didthem, amongst had they not solidarity the emphasizing have to struggle anyBy them. borders between state existing of the matter no each other to feedback andmore giving in helping of expectations had they that sides, both the for significant ties were They them. to national meant their much how show to tries first interviewee the time, right the in them from got need tooppose state the they were livingin. Sheframes the story in framework: this allowed borders “soft” cooperation have them feeling agood to themselves between without the the how from Macedonia explains 17 Women’s Interviewee Alliance. Albanian creation of their ofinstitutionalizing need cooperation, asit formal was procedures for desire the the pressure as before, makehuge not did that softenedborders andneeded anymore.The not was affirmative action with the improved With rigid. “softeningthe fall borders” of the mobilityof since cooperation use the violenceof and of their borders too werenot for them divisions since these times, conflict the during Macedonia wasachieved they do not feel like they Achieving independence settleand managing to theborders with neighboringthe they feedback the and Kosovo, in co-nationals their to gave they help the emphasizing By anymore. barriers weno had when a period was it of course and Albanian single ofevery heart the touched that humanity ofgreat period a was So this volunteering. were they salaries, any receiving without lectures delivering were They Macedonia. to Prishtina from coming were teachers university of Lots too. us helping were feedback...they their wegot freedom...now their gain to At the same time when Iwas talking about our involvement in helping the Albanians from Kosovo 78 CEU eTD Collection two sidestwo 2010). (Likmeta, since itmore flexible symbolized cooperation and borders forcross-border Albanians from the pointsof new Albania by between andKosovosides, accepted border waspleasantly two the Kosovo andwiththe economicalso bordering enhancedTheopeningcountries. its cooperation 79 CEU eTD Collection regimes, different political systems, differences in enjoying citizenship rights (minority, majority (minority, rights citizenship in enjoying differences systems, political different regimes, factors suchfour, howasdifferent Ishowed political levelsin Inchapter threecountries. the from incooperation was performed threesides, the the of manifested rise was activism different level.a higherthough the However, even grewto nthethreecountries women’s cooperation and transnational perspective. the cooperation.cross-border Ipresented myfindings perspectives: through two gender andnation, governmental in the sector countries livethey inand them, outside with afocusspecial on the non- in the and sphere political in the activism their analyzed I specifically, More Albania. in during and Kosova 1990-2010 identitiesoccurred Macedonia, andwars intheconflicts that there were also collaborations between Serbian and Kosovar women even during the war. Serbia after the war in order to improve the political situation between these countries. However, and Bosnia from with women contacts fostered they tells Kosova from 2 Interviewee missions. missions by initiated international organizations. Women’s partinorganizations alsotook these Conclusion Relying transnational the on perspective Iarguedthatduring times, Albanian conflict/war their of negotiation the and activism women’s Albanian analyzed I research this In bypeacekeeping inKosova and wasfollowed The conflictMacedonia period after (Interviewee 2) women’s group...after the warwe initiated many contacts withwe as enemy themour and Bosnianbeen always women. has Serbia though women…even Serbian approach to ones first the were open…we doors our had always We have communities. and populations other the oppress to tended never have we that clear it made we have movement every during nation…but All the sacrifices that the Albanian woman have made until today have been for the good of our 80 CEU eTD Collection in the male societal dominates areas. Additionally,in chapterfive, Ishowed that during the women’sdeal about men’s organizing andhowto with when positioningresistance themselves lotlearn helpeda it them “nationalist”/ “patriotic” grounds, based strong on organizing started countries? three in the collaboration women’s on perspective further the on “softening” have of borders the animpact on possibilitiesthe for establishment the AWA and of non-Albanianand be womenifAWA was to achieved andwhy?Second,inwhatway the did (AWA) within the three countries. times, couldnot achieve and oftheAlbanian theinstitutionalization they Alliance Women’s conflict the after level alowerof cooperation led borders) to and official flux imaginary (the of amongthem countries;within existing movementdivisions strengthen the women’s the three national struggle”them during upspaces and toalign conflict helpedtogether times open an institutionalized organization Alliance.-Albanian Women’s into collaboration their of consolidation the for consent mutual achieve to impossible it making balanceboth tryingnation gender,tomorethem),of among or divisions or them; added thus, of category the either (prioritizing negotiation processes identity variation of the the argued that “national liberation” had an impact on the construction of their political identity too. In addition I considerable divisions between them. created NGOs) and parties (political activism their of fields in the divisions and rights) In relation to the first question I want to state that even though Albanian women’s Albanian though even that state to want I question first the to relation In The last argumentopens up two important questions.What goodwould itbe for Albanian From a transnational perspective I argued that even though their participation for “the the paradigm of the that state I perspective, gender/nation intersecting the from Arguing 81 CEU eTD Collection each other. Having the opportunity to be in close contact with their fellow co-nationals and co-nationals fellow their with contact in close be to opportunity the Having other. each about perceptions bymore realistic personal imagined replaced community were nationals” asan socialization among them, the perceptions and dreams about the “nation” and their “co- women’s collaboration (AWA) alsolowered. the Since of the “soft” bordersinstitutionalization the providedfor more aspirations spacethe for that With tensions. these lowered now borders the of softening the andnational reactions; more revolt enticed borders of the closedness the before If countries. different three in the living women the for collaboration and mobility greater neighboringborder points providedopportunities and countries thenewforthe of opening the between borders the of Revisions established. been not has Alliance Women’s Albanian for institutions, media,governmental widerthe tothe public. important governmental,non-would toother beenmale sphere”. It have known dominated the in especially now, is it than stronger and visible more been have would cooperation women’s of institutionalization alliance, the and With the building processes. nation inespecially state the society, the of areas predominated male mainly in the actors passive as women about stereotypes unnoticed and in undocumented canonizedthe history. Hencethiscontinues toreinforce the collaborationit be isissue, anykind issues,humanrights grounds the of women’s of or on their of existence The cooperation. this of institutionalization of lack the is movement for several reasons. One of the reasons for the missing literature on Albanian women’s because they facingwere women. just they were and discriminations identity the gender their about aware very become women some liberation” ”national for times conflict The opening between of borders the threethe countries 2001was after a strong factor The institutionalization of Albanian Women’s Alliance would been have to achievegood 82 CEU eTD Collection existing borders among them.” Nonetheless, if the EU enlargement and neighborhood policy neighborhood and enlargement EU the if Nonetheless, them.” among borders existing no with EU the enter they once united be will lands Albanian the that claiming by politics, for “Great giving upthesupport Albania”. of more Albanianpoliticiansthe liberal lead Most a benationalfactor in animportant these countries.Joininghas shownto within politics the EU Balkan countries to fulfill the entry requirements to the European Union. of agendafor the which ispart aconstitutive attitude, nurturingthe a multicultural impact on of haveissues Thesechallenging of intheircountries. organizations agreat kinds deal with they the of similarity the on based is them between cooperation of level the than rather basis, national on collaborate countries seven the from women the that mean not does this However, together. isKosova. This onlyinstitutionalized the whereAlbanian women organization cooperate isfrom ThePresident Tahiri of association the Edita Macedonia andBosniaHerzegovina. Albania, from includes Croatia, Serbia,Montenegro, Kosova, women’s organization cooperation forand JusticeRegional Peace,Security these about Lobby tellsalotchanges. Thisregional havegoals different when organizations. establishing women’s The of establishmentWomen’s only Albaniangoal was Women’san establishmentthe of Alliance “nationwide”, today they their before If too. identity in their changes are There ones. national than women concerning issues Albanian morewomen’s agendamainstreaming to transforming etc.), balance gender rights, human rights, women’s on (working today use activists women that discourse modernized the join them made This too. women other with basis international on also but myThis refers women the to of too. research identity. their and “nation” the about perceptions their in difference big a made things experience The politics of the European Union in the Balkan countries plays a great role onthe playsagreat inUnion Balkan the countries European of The politics the basis, national on just not for cooperation acradle created borders of the The softening 83 CEU eTD Collection the cooperation between women working in different sectors (politics, NGOs, business, media) business, (politics, NGOs, sectors in different between working women cooperation the women’s position. Compared tothe Albanian inwomen activists Macedonia, inKosovafound I forof improvement canalsobeafactor in eachsector country the in reconstructing government financial funds they for women’sprovide agenda organizations. Thestrong of Kosovarthe more to access the and organizations international the of presence be the can this for explanation Kosovo has developeditis inwider dimensions and visible more the public. to Apossible citizenship rights of Albanians in Macedonia. of 2001 and Agreement signingof the 2001 which Framework Ohrid the the regulated possible factor for this might have been the promotion of the multicultural spirit after the conflict organizations.found I this tohave happened even Women with Parliamentarian’s A Club. League and other Albanian Women’s NGOs had joined with Macedonian women’s Women’s Albanian been activeinthe had who warsome the women after Macedonia wasthat An interesting findingin warandarestill the after NGOs active. hadopened quite that found“national liberation”.much serious I situations,the However, newwomen’s whichwas they had all worked whichWhile medonors another conflict,finance one told thatduringwould their the projects. on voluntary basis.too many international arenot today, Some there interviewed that said poor. of I women the Money was not an activistsissue since to work they on thehadhad over thirty subsidiariesbranchesto all over the dealcountry, today is inactive. I found somewithof of the women the NGO; however their repertoire issues. women’s of activities essentialized, fails, we again homogenized discourses witness revival the about then can of was very My research on Kosovo and their activism today, showed that women’s movement in movement women’s that showed today, activism their and Kosovo on research My From made, Women’s research I Albanian the Leaguein in Macedonia which the 90’s 84 CEU eTD Collection when it is clear that there will be no EU enlargement for these countries in future. nearis thesecountries the for willbe when it there EU enlargement no clearthat Albania” and how this affects the development ofAlbanian women’s activism today, especially perspectives. different from events two the narrate itwill in the period of war. Making a comparison between these women would be very interesting since three the activismcountries women’s countries livingin and Serbian andinSerbia other Balkans field. in this analysis intersectional the identities of these women, adding other categories such as class and religion would enrich the negotiations of theiridentities. Since Iused only categoriestwo and(gender nation)in analyzing between from them and theKosova women and Macedoniain of terms theirand activism the differences the narrate they how and countries three the in collaboration women’s of frame field. First,interviewing in women Albania hearand theirnarratives, would add more tothe a long period of arestillthere time needfor (1990-2010), furtherbe research performedinto this result to that, very recently, the citizens of Kosova chose a women President to run the country. to have a closer collaboration among them.Women in hadpolitics stronger positions too.As a Another interesting issue for further exploration is the aspirations for the myth of “Great in women’s Albanian the about a research conduct be to would approach interesting Another covers andalsoin area Balkans the geographic my aconsiderable covers Given that research 85 CEU eTD Collection violence againstwomen. Masters Holds degree. Age: 24-35. Interviewee 11: is women’s rights and women and politics. Holds Masters Degree. Age: 51-78 Interviewee 10 of activism is women and diplomacy. Holds a. Age: 36-50. Her field for several newspapers. andasacolumnist government of the structures in thepolitical 9 Interviewee women’s andempowerment women’s health. Age: 36-50. 8 Interviewee rural areas, andwomen business.and Age: 24-35. 7 Interviewee women‘s education and violencewomen. against Holds aBachelors degreeAge: 51-78 6 Interviewee aBachelorseducation. degreeAge:35-50. Holds has been active in politics too. Her field of activism is women and politics and women and health 5 Interviewee women and health. Bachelors Holds degree. Age:36-50. 4 Interviewee Age:Bachelors degree. 36-50. 3 Interviewee business. Holds Masters degree.Age: 51-78 2 Interviewee education.through aBachelor Holds degree.Age:between 51-78. 1 Interviewee ofinterviewees 1: List Appendix : NGO activist and a academic professor from Macedonia. Her field of activism is activism of field Her Macedonia. from professor academic a and activist : NGO and media politics, in iswomen activism of field Her Kosova. from activist : NGO : Politician from Macedonia. Member of Women’s Parliamentarian club. Holds a Holds club. Parliamentarian Women’s of Member Macedonia. from Politician : : activist from Macedonia. Currently working as a doctor andNGOactivist. She as adoctor working from Currently Macedonia. : activist : Formerpolitician fromand academic professor Macedonia. Currently working field from is : NGOactivistHer of and Macedonia. education activism women’s : NGO activist from Kosova. Her field of activism is women’s emancipation in emancipation is women’s activism of field Her Kosova. from activist : NGO : Human rights activists from Kosova. Her field of activism is human rights, human is activism of field Her Kosova. from activists rights Human : : NGO activist from Kosova. Her field of activism is women’s emancipation is women’s activism of field Her Kosova. from activist NGO : : Politician, doctor and human rights activist from Kosova. Her field of activism of field Her Kosova. from activist rights human and doctor : Politician, NGO activist from Kosova. Her field of activism is women and politics and 86 CEU eTD Collection Age: 36-50. interestis women and politics, women’s emancipation, human rights. Holds a Doctoral degree. Interviewee 20 degree. Age:51-78. Bachelors a Holds rights. women’s on focus a special with isrights human interest of field Interviewee 19: women and Holds politics. aBachelors degree.Age:51-78. Interviewee 18 Age:Holds degree. aBachelors 36-50. media. inthe women and politics, and women rights, human is activism of field Her media. Interviewee 17 Age:Holds degree. aBachelors 24-35. Interviewee 16 Age: aDoctoral education.degree. 51-78 Holds health women’s and politics, and women emancipation, women’s activism, of Field activist. Interviewee 15: women’s economic empowerment in the private sector. Holds a Bachelors degree. Age: 24-35. Interviewee 14 women folklore.and Holds a Bachelors degree.Age:51-78. Interviewee 13 politics. Holds aMasters degree.Age: 36-50. field professor. Hereducation,activism andhealth, iswomen’s and and of women women Interviewee 12 : Academic professor from Macedonia. She is a former NGO activist. Her field of : NGO activist from Kosova. Her field of activism is women and human rights. human and women is activism of field Her Kosova. from activist : NGO : NGO activist from Kosova. Her field of interest is women and education, and is education, and ofinterestwomen field from Her Kosova. : NGOactivist also asan academic worked has She from Macedonia. a doctor and : Politician : NGO activist from Macedonia and columnist. She is also very present in the : NGO activist from Kosova. Her field of activism is women in business and business in women is activism of field Her Kosova. from activist : NGO politics, and women is activism of field Her Macedonia. from activist : NGO Academic professor, human rights activist and a columnistfrom Kosova. Her Academic professor and politician from and from isaformer politician Macedonia. She NGO Academicprofessor 87 CEU eTD Collection References http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com world, United Nations, and World Leaders.Retrieved May 5, 2011, from autor.pp.12 Uprooted PeopleSouth of Asia. Verso. (Original publishedwork 1988) Don˜a Mar hl=en&ei=LkjoTdfnJYz0- o+elissa+helms&source=bl&ots=UODFFeYQiP&sig=yR63xbSB1euKa8jR5m3HWsDKlcs& http://books.google.com/books?id=M8MXvQmuCAEC&pg=PA142&lpg=PA142&dq=kosov memories andmoral claimsinapost-war society. contemporary Europe in Britain and the Czech Republic. In Booth, S., & Tolz, V. 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Characters: Number of Words: Number of Pages: 98 As of Last Complete Printing Last Printed On: 15 Total Minutes Editing Time: By:Last Saved On: Last Saved Number: Change Date: Creation Comments: Keywords: Author: Subject: Title: Template: Directory: Filename: (MACEDONIA, AND KOSOVA ALBANIA) THREENEIGHBORING COUNTRIES INTHE ACTIVISM 103\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates\Normal.dot 103\Desktop 6/6/2011 11:41:00AM CEU 6/6/2011 11:20:00AM 3 6/6/2011 11:12:00AM x GUESTS OR SISTERS: ALBANIAN WOMEN’S C:\Documents and Settings\CEU.DORMI-08452- C:\Documents and Settings\CEU.DORMI-08452- Mimoza_Pachuku_Thesis_GenS 30,714 (approx.)