Internationally acclaimed activist Rogova will speak about Kosovo at Idaho State University

World-renowned women’s rights activist Igballe “Igo” Rogova will give a free public lecture June 17 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., in the College of Education Auditorium on the campus of Idaho State University.

Rogova will speak about her work and her personal experiences in the Republic of Kosovo.

This is a free presentation; refreshments will be served.

Rogova serves as executive director of the Kosova Women’s Network, a multi-ethnic network of 56 women’s organizations undertaking joint advocacy initiatives to support, protect and promote the rights and interests of women and girls throughout Kosovo.  

She was the recipient of the Women of the Year Award from the International Network of Women’s Organizations, as well as the Lydia Sklevicky Prize for innovative work with women’s groups.

The Republic of Kosovo is the newest country in the word. Its citizens still struggle to overcome a decade of Serb military oppression, and the war that displaced more than half of its residents from their homes.

Though seldom recognized at home or abroad, Kosovar women have been leaders in their communities throughout recent conflicts in the region.  They have struggled to ensure that women’s voices were present during peace negotiations and the political decision-making process.

The event is sponsored by the Janet C. Anderson Gender Resource Center and co-sponsored by Pocatello League of Women Voters, New Knowledge Adventures, Pocatello Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Pocatello First Methodist Church, ISU WeLEAD, and the ISU Department of Political Science.

Organizers hope the event will bring awareness to the issues surrounding international women’s rights.

The Anderson Center at Idaho State University serves as the focal point on campus for the consideration of gender issues.  

“In our efforts, we are especially guided by the ideal of diversity which allows us to envision a future free of the limitations imposed by our culture's standard definitions of gender and other categories of difference,” said Heidi Harold, Anderson Center assistant director.

For more information about this event or the Anderson Center, contact Harold or Dr. Rebecca Morrow, center director, at 282-2805 or e-mail gndrctr@isu.edu.