The Transformation of Gender Roles and Women’s Resilience in Postwar Rural Kosovo: The Case of the Krusha Cooperative

Abstract Postwar societies often show a shift in gender roles, especially in the labor market. This study focuses on the postwar social transformation from the perspective of women in postwar rural Kosovo. It employs a qualitative methodology involving semi-structured, in-depth interviews and participant observation. The author uncovers how the social transformation is reflected among the women living in the village of Krushë e Madhe. She finds that both the older and younger generations have supported women’s inclusion in parts of society where they were previously marginalized. The older generation revealed a broad understanding of gender roles with their belief that women’s role in society should not be limited in any way. Conversely, the younger generation, while supportive, exhibited a slight tendency toward more traditional ideas regarding the jobs deemed “suitable” for women. The author explores women’s personal experiences in dealing with traditional gender roles and documents the challenges they faced.