The Autonomous Women’s Center and Dah Theater from Belgrade, with the support of Anima from Dulic, are organizing a street action on Wednesday, December 6th 2023, from noon to 1 pm, at the Republic Square, in order to call on everyone who knows women living in violence to encourage them to contact women’s organizations that provide help and support.
Civil society organizations that provide support to women and children, including the Autonomous Women's Center, sent an Open Letter to the President of the Council for Creating a Stimulating Environment for the Development of Civil Society and members of citizens' associations and civil society organizations within, on the occasion of the BIRN report on the division public funds to phantom organizations for non-existent activities.
The fourth AFW festival in Novi Sad opened with the panel "Violence after violence - institutions, media, public", which is dedicated to violence in institutions, the experience of numerous women who reported it. The reason for the discussion at the panel was the testimony of the actress Milena Radulović, which "in action" showed what re-traumatization and secondary victimization looks like, the insensitivity of the judge and the court procedure, the non-use of existing mechanisms for the protection of victims of violence (as witnesses), which can be considered institutional violence. This kind of violence is subsequently deepened by unethical media coverage, and the question "When does violence stop?"
At the Thirteenth Annual Conference of the Victimology Society of Serbia entitled "Victim Support and Prevention of Victimization: Challenges and Perspectives", we participated in the thematic session "Victimization and Social Reaction", with a statement entitled "Do we recognize child witnesses of domestic violence as victims?", which were prepared by Ivana Milosavljević-Đukić (from the Center for the Protection of Infants, Children and Youth and the College of Social Work) and Tanja Ignjatović.
On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, on November 23rd, the Autonomous Women's House Zagreb held a round table, "The importance of GREVIO recommendations for fighting violence against women."
At the Brussels consultative meetings, organized from 12 to 17 November 2023 by the Swedish Foundation Kvinna till Kvinna, entitled "EU accession for whom?" Women's Rights and Participation in the Western Balkans (2021-2026)", a number of issues were raised with relevant stakeholders, including the EEAS, Members of the European Union Parliament, representatives of the European Union Commission, DG NEAR, with the aim of contributing to women's rights from the six countries of the Western Balkans and gender equality in the EU accession processes.
This year’s edition of the WAVE Fempower Magazine focuses on the pervasive impact of institutional violence on women and girls, the different forms in which it manifests, and the key role women’s specialist services have in denouncing and undoing this type of violence. A total of nine articles were submitted to us by our WAVE members, among which Roma Center for women and children Daje and Autonomous Women’s Centre, each of these shedding light from different angles on this form of oppression and abuse of power that limit women & girls’ access to rights while at the same time highlighting the experiences, efforts, and engagement of women’s specialist services to protect and support survivors affected by institutional violence.
News of another baby who had suffered severe beatings by its stepfather in a prolonged period of time, has once again opened up the question of how the public reacts to mothers who are blamed for not protecting their children.
The EU Parliament's resolution on women's sexual and reproductive rights was the reason for the discussion, with online participation from Brussels and Podgorica. As it is a comprehensive document, the focus is on several of its elements: the availability of verified information and the importance of systemic education at all levels; availability of services related to sexual and reproductive rights and health; the availability of modern contraceptives and a woman's right to autonomy and freedom of childbirth; as well as providing financial resources from the budget, along with effective strategies and actions in preserving and improving the sexual and reproductive rights and health of women and girls, as well as all citizens.
AWC held a competition for the best logo to commemorate the 30 year anniversary of the Autonomous Women’s Center. The first place went to the design made by Lana Klenak, second place to Aleksandra Ugrin, and third to Marija Simic.
