Autonomous Women’s Centre, Women in Black and the Youth Initiative for Human Rights have prepared five short videos with description of problems women survivors of wartime sexual violence are facing in Serbia. We invite you to view videos and share them.
The Autonomous Women's Centre expresses solidarity with all women who have spoken publicly this year about their experiences of violence. This year will be remembered as the year of the beginning of the end of women's silence. At the end of the year, numerous women who told their stories on the social network Twitter under #NisamPrijavila (#Didn’t report) reminded us that it is necessary to change the awareness towards understanding the prevalence and consequences of violence against women. Through the authentic confessions of women under #NisamPrijavila, we see that change is necessary in every segment of society because the reasons for not reporting violence are different and each one is equally important.
The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality responded to the Autonomous Women's Centre in reference to its public call to file a lawsuit in her own name and on her own initiative for protection against discrimination, in accordance with her powers (Article 46 of the Law on Prohibition of Discrimination). In her statement, the Commissioner informs about the content of Art. 33, 40, 43 and 46 of the Law on Prohibition of Discrimination, Art. 34 and 40 of the Rules of Procedure of the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, as well as the criminal offense 317 of the Criminal Code. Judging by the content of the statement, we will have to wait for a long time before the Commissioner files lawsuits for discrimination, in her own name and on her own initiative.
This was an action done on December 10th – International Human Rights Day, which also marks the last day of the 16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women yearly campaign.
The Autonomous Women's Center conducted an in-depth research by asking the competent institutions for data on previous reports in all recorded cases of femicide in the two-year period (2017-2018). 187 documents were obtained, the analysis of which led to the data presented in the infographic.
The Autonomous Women's Centre extends its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the young influencer Kristina Kika Đukić. As an organization that protects women's human rights and women from violence, we are deeply shocked by the news that, according to the media, 21-year-old Kika committed suicide after many years of enduring violence in the digital space.
As part of the global campaign "16 days of activism against male violence against women", the Autonomous Women's Centre points out the consequences for women and children of violence committed by intimate partners during and after court proceedings to determine parental care of children and calls on all relevant state bodies - committees, ministries, institutions, as well as professional organizations involved in the creation of policies and standards, to approach with due care the systematic and practical solution of this issue, in accordance with the highest standards of protection and support to all victims and in the best interests of the child.
Autonomous Women's Centre and Women in Black from Belgrade with the support of the Women's Association Anima from Đulići (BH), Nena - Group for Peace and Women's Rights from Leskovac, Polimlje Women from Prijepolje, Bona Fide from Pljevlja (Montenegro), SOS hotline for women and children victims violence from Vlasotince, organize a street action, in mourning and silence, on December 6, 2021 from 1 pm to 2 pm, in Republic Square, termed "Stop killing women".
At a time when all continents, in most countries of the world, are marking the thirtieth anniversary of the global campaign "16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women", in Serbia, the media are calling on the citizens to stop the traffic blockade announced as part of Saturday's protest by citizens dissatisfied with the situation in the country on various issues by throwing buckets of purple paint . It is inadmissible and absurd to call upon citizens to confront one another, and even more inadmissible to do so by usurping the term "lilac revolution" and purple, which are symbols of women's movement and organization.
The Autonomous Women's Centre strongly condemns the hate speech and direct discrimination of director Dragoslav Bokan towards Marinika Tepic and all members of the Romanian national minority, and demands urgent action by the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality of the Republic of Serbia. The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, pursuant to Art. 46 of the Law on Prohibition of Discrimination, has the right to file a lawsuit in her own name and on her own initiative to the Court for protection against discrimination, which is why we demand that the Commissioner act immediately in accordance with her legal powers.