The Women against Violence Network reminds the public that according to the Law on Social Protection, Article 64, social protection services are to be procured from the licensed provider of social protection services through the public procurement procedure, and that the provision of the National SOS Helpline service for women victims of violence must be done in accordance to our Law.

On the occasion of the announcement by the Ministry of Labor, Employment, Veterans' and Social Affairs to call for proposals for the establishment of the National SOS Helpline for Women Victims of Violence, the Women Against Violence Network warns that this type of social protection services can be financed exclusively through the public procurement procedure, and that the call for competition is not in accordance with the law. Although the Minister announces that this legal obligation will be circumvented by the Government's Conclusion, we would like to remind that the Government's conclusion cannot violate the Law.

We remind that in 2017 the Ministry of Labor, Employment, Veterans' and Social Affairs had to cancel the issued call for the procurement of competition, after the Autonomous Women's Center reacted to the violation of the Law on Social Protection, Article 64.

Furthermore, the Ministry announces the piloting of the service, provided by women's organizations members of the Women against Violence Network for 25 years. The SOS Helpline Network of Vojvodina, established 6 years ago, using a unique and free telephone number, provides the same service for the entire territory of the Province. Bearing in mind that this service exists since several years, we do not understand the reason why taxes and bonds are spent on piloting.

Although the establishment of the National SOS Helpline is of great importance for the empowerment of women who survive male violence, the Women against Violence Network warns the Ministry that disregarding the Law does not give a good example to the perpetrators, or citizens who are expecting that the laws define their rights and obligations, thus it should be treated with respect.