As Kosovo marks the 12th anniversary of its independence on Monday February 17, 2020, it has dedicated its independence monument this year to survivors of sexual abuse.

The so-called Newborn monument was unveiled 12 years ago in the middle of the capital, Prishtina, to mark the day when Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia.

Each year, the monument is repainted and the word Newborn, symbolising the birth of the new state, is turned into a new acronym that is intended to send a message

This year’s new acrbonym stands for “Never Ending Wars Bring Oppression Rape & Neglect” and is “dedicated to all the victims of sexual abuse during conflicts around the world”, according to the organisers.

Feride Rushiti, from the Kosovo Rehabilitation Center for the Victims of Torture,, explained during the inauguration that “these letters combine the narratives of survivors of sexual violence”.

The new female speaker of the Kosovo parliament, Vjosa Osmani also participated in the inauguration and said that “to fight stigma, it is necessary to honour the suffering that the women and men of Kosovo have experienced”.