WE’LL REMEMBER 2023
- two mass murders of children and young people in May — when everything should have stopped and radically changed, but that did not happen;
- as the year in which we celebrated 30 years of work — 30 years of solidary feminist struggle for the life of women without violence.
This report is available in PDF format here.
WE WILL REMEMBER THE YEAR 2022 FOR...
- Intensified Russian aggression on Ukraine, and all its repercussions on Ukrainian citizens, the region and the world
- Numerous ecological protests in Serbia, the most attended thus far Snap elections and delayed formation of the government, which forestalled reform processes
- Snap elections and delayed formation of the government, which forestalled reform processes
- Attacks and pressure exerted at activists of women’s rights organizations and human rights defenders, while the state remained silent
- Protests due to how media cover violence against women, organized by “Women’s Solidarity”
- A campaign within the “I Can Say No” prevention program, with more than 1 200 000 views, and a movie presenting peer educators of said program
- Successful advocacy for the mediation model pertaining to employment of women who have experienced violence, as was developed at the 2nd Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade, and implemented in all six basic public prosecutor’s offices and 17 Belgrade municipalities
This report is available in PDF format here.
WE WILL REMEMBER THE YEAR 2021 FOR...
- Strengthening of the #MeToo movement against sexual violence in Serbia and in the region
- Attacks on human rights defenders, including journalists
- A series of mass ecological protests across Serbia
This report is available in PDF format here.
Social and political circumstances, and in particular the provision of direct support to women survivors of violence, during this year were largely marked by a ban on movement and social isolation as a result of the epidemiological situation caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The National Assembly, which, as in previous years, did not exercise adequate supervision over the work of the executive power, did not react when its constitutional competence was “appropriated” by the government and declared the state of emergency that lasted from 15 March to 6 May 2020. The lack of clearly defined procedures for protection against domestic violence and the limited actions of institutions in that period, additionally put at risk women who survived violence in the family and partner context and made their protection more difficult. In addition, the greatest burden of the economic and health crisis was borne by women. The loss of jobs due to the pandemic affected women disproportionately more, and the most endangered were single mothers, as well as those engaged in health care and service activities.
This report is available in PDF format here.
WE WILL REMEMBER THE YEAR 2019 FOR… The survival of AWC specialized services, through which tens of thousands of women survivors of violence have been supported since 1993, despite the lack of state support; Concluding remarks of the CEDAW Committee, which confirmed the assessments and recommendations from the AWC shadow report; A large number of proposals for the improvement of laws and public policies — despite the inefficiency of the competent ministries and the blockade of the work of the National Assembly; The failure of the state to maintain continuity in the decline in the number of femicides on an annual basis; Lack of attention paid to violence against women that occurs outside the family context due to the institutional focus on domestic violence; The first “I can say no” — Spring girls’ encounters; Focused media attention on the courageous fight of the women of Brus against sexual harassment in the workplace by the town mayor; Having said NO to cooperation on projects and participation in policy making to international organizations and institutions that continuously exploit the expertise of women’s organizations; Support of the business sector and public figures to the work of the Autonomous Women’s Center
This report is available in PDF format here.
ln 2018, the political, social аnd economic еnviгоnmеnt in which we woгked continued to bе unfavoгable, togetheг with difficulties in achieving impact оn decision makeгs аnd visibility in media with topics criticizing the сuггеnt goveгnment. All bгаnсhеs of роwег аге embodied in the гоlе of the pгesident of the Repubiic, who doesn't гespect his scope of authoгity defined in the Constitution, democratic dialogue in the National Assembly is non-existent, laws continue to bе adopted without геаl public discussions, while laws еntегing adoption ргосеduге аnd those being adopted, аге, bу гule, to the detгiment of citizens, especially those who аге socially аnd economically most vulnегablе.
This report is available in PDF format here.
The year 2017 passed in аn atmosphere of unfavorable political, legislative, economic аnd social environment, especially for advocating changes in accordance with international standards. All the legal аnd institutional changes were slowed down аnd it was more difficult to have аn impact оn decision-makers аnd to remain independent, since "political alignment" was ореnlу expected from /offered to all social actors, including representatives of the civil sector.
This report is available in PDF format here.
We will remember the year 2016 by: every beneficiary we empowered to leave the violence; victories in legal and institutional advocacy for women who turned to us for help; successful advocacy for legal changes; regional activities for the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention against Violence against Women; actions of solidarity with women and women’s organizations around the world; # NeTolerišem campaign; petition for proclaiming May 18 the Day of Remembrance for Murdered Women Victims of Violence; large number of media appearances; reacting to inappropriate media reporting; monitoring EU accession for Chapters 23 and 24 within the PrEUgovor coalition
This report is available in PDF format here.
Support for women survivors of violence; Monitoring the implementation of public policies and proposals for changes in laws and regulations; Proposals for changes to the law and advocacy; Monitoring the process of Serbia's EU accession; Education of professionals and support for the development of a model of coordinated community action; Networking and solidarity; Monitoring and responding to media reporting on violence against women; Femicide; Solidarity at work; Raising public awareness about violence against women.
This report is available in PDF format here.
The work of Autonomous Women's Center in 2014 was marked by a series of activist actions on the streets. Over 10,000 citizens joined us through the campaign “I sign”. We got a new group of volunteers, created a mobile application I’m Safe and organized Deli Monday. In the area of advocacy, we stopped passing the bad solutions of the Law of Free Legal Aid and advocated for a number of legislative changes in order to conform legislation with the Convention against Violence towards Women of the Council of Europe.
This report is available in PDF format here.
In 2013, the Autonomous Women's Centre celebrated its 20th anniversary with a number of actions and activities in order to draw the attention of decision makers to the protection and prevention of violence against women by the state, as well as citizens to contribute to the creation of zero tolerance for violence.
This report is available in PDF format here.
Autonomous Women’s Centre had influenced directly on the Government to increase its responsibility for the implementation of laws and policies through monitoring its own policies and reports on the results of research and analysis of various national and international bodies. This is a model of quality influence on government policy and drawing attention of decision-makers, bearing in mind that there is a tendency to marginalize the knowledge and experience of women's groups and non-governmental organizations in general.
This report is available in PDF format here.
Thanks to the efforts of women's organizations, feminist principles are incorporated in strategic documents and recommendations. Autonomous Women’s Centre is recognized as a leading organization in the field of countering violence against women in the family context (public policy, education and expertise).
This report is available in PDF format here.
This year, for the first time, we submitted an appeal to the Constitutional Court against the decision by which the specific model of visits with minor children was abled, and the process was successfully completed. We led a working group that has developed a unique record of cases of domestic violence.
This report is available in PDF format here.
The biggest success in this year was the adoption of amendments to the Law on Amendments to the Criminal Code (increased penalties for domestic violence) prepared by the Autonomous Women's Center in cooperation with the Women's Research Center and Victimology Society of Serbia, which were proposed to the Republic of Serbia Assembly by the Ombudsperson.
This report is available in PDF format here.
We worked on the development of a model of coordinated action in the field of prevention and protection from domestic violence in several municipalities in Serbia and Belgrade. Numerous professionals from the field of education participated in the Council of Europe Campaign "Stop violence against women".
This report is available in PDF format here.
This year, 260 women participated in self-help groups that we organized, 1670 women with experience of violence turned to us for an advice or help, we realized cooperation with 10 municipalities, and education seminars for the judiciary professionals in Belgrade and Nis.
This report is available in PDF format here.
The most important event of 2005 was the adoption of the Family Law, which enabled obtaining a measure of protection to women who are victims of domestic violence. Lawyera of our legal team in the first 5 months of implementation of the law had written 12 lawsuits with a measure of protection against domestic violence.
This report is available in PDF format here.
We continued to give support to women who are victims of violence individually and through self-help groups, legal assistance and representation in court. We educated professionals of the public services in Belgrade, and representatives of health services in Serbia. We worked with activists from women's groups from Leskovac, Valjevo, Gnjilane, Prizren and North Mitrovica.
This report is available in PDF format here.
This year in March, for the first time, the crime of domestic violence was introduced in Serbia! The Campaign 16 Days had a slogan REACT! and we promoted the new legal possibilities for punishment of the abusers.
This report is available in PDF format here.
