Djellza Pulatani, a killjoy with intention
The Albanian-American activist giving back to her community.
Acting that way meant being misunderstood; it also means conflict in spaces that are supposed to feel safe.
There is always a tension between presenting gender-based violence as a uniquely Albanian issue and recognizing it as a global problem.
Some members of the Albanian community criticized Pulatani for damaging the country’s image. Photo: Courtesy of Djellza Pulatani.
“We were trying to create an intersectional space,” Pulatani says, “Where girls feel listened to, heard and seen.”
To Pulatani — and others — F’Oda is also a place to explore two parts of her identity, shaped between Kosovo and the US.
The venue was curated to resemble an oda, this time filled with women from across Kosovo talking about gender justice.
As was clear even before we met, four hours earlier, it’s undeniable now: Pulatani acts with intention.
Aulonë Kadriu
Aulonë Kadriu is a journalist, researcher and editor pursuing an MA in journalism at New York University as a Fulbright scholar. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a graduate certificate in women, gender and sexuality. She is a former K2.0 senior editor.
This story was originally written in English.