Llalloshi in the Assembly: Arlinda’s murder must be a turning point in the fight against violence

Violence against women and the case of Arlinda Zekaj were raised in the Assembly by lawmaker Edona Llalloshi, who called for a united response from society and concrete institutional measures to prevent such tragedies from happening again.

She said Arlinda’s murder should mark a moment of change, prompting a collective response against men who use violence to exert control and force submission.

“Arlinda’s murder must serve as a turning point. We must unite against those men who have turned violence into a tool of domination: either you submit to me or you die. And who, if not I, has reason to speak about this scourge?” Llalloshi said.

During her speech, the lawmaker also shared a painful family experience. She said that in 2008, her cousin, the respected doctor Igballe Llalloshi, was killed by her husband.

“In 2008, my cousin, the respected doctor Igballe Llalloshi, was killed by her husband. Although 18 years have passed, the pain has never faded for us,” she said.

Llalloshi also cited the number of victims in Kosovo, emphasizing that more than 80 women have lost their lives in such circumstances since the war. She stressed that behind every case is a life cut short, a devastated family and children left with severe emotional scars.

“Behind each of these numbers is a life lost, a family destroyed and children left with wounds that last a lifetime. And today we must ask a question: how many more women must lose their lives before we respond seriously?” the lawmaker said.

She urged institutions and society not to wait for another victim before taking decisive action against violence against women.

“So let us not wait for another tragedy. The time has come to act decisively now, to turn words into action and words into responsibility,” Llalloshi concluded.