Category: News

This year took a negative turn on women’s fundamental human rights, which is why protecting them is now more urgent than ever.

The Association SOS help-line and film production house Vertigo, Ljubljana produced three short fiction films, based on true events, about intimate partner violence. The short films are directed by Martin Draksler.
In the light of the International days of fight against violence on women, the short films will experience their online international premiere on Wednesday, 2nd of December starting at 6pm CET. They will be released on Facebook page of European Women’s Network against Sexual Violence and on other national and international portals of organisations which defend and fight for women’s fundamental human rights.
Short films about violence will be released at 6PM CET; short film about rape at 7PM CET and about homicide at 8PM CET.

Photo: Urša Premik

#metoo #endviolence #womensrights

More information can be found on the link: SOS_Invitation-to-collaborate

Coordinator of the Women’s Room Maja Mamula, Ph. D. gave an introductory presentation at the symposium “Sexual abuse of women, research and case studies” held on March 19, 2013 from 13.00 to 15.00 in Zagreb. Public panel was moderated by Lana Petö Kujundžić, Judge of the County Court in Zagreb, and organized by the Association of judges for youth, family judges and experts for children and youth.

This aim of this symposium was to present the research on women’s sexual rights in Croatia, as well as encourage experts and professionals to show greater commitment to women’s rights in the area of accessing the assistance of administrative and judicial bodies. Furthermore, recently introduced Rules of Procedure in the case of sexual violence, which the government adopted on November 29, 2012, should contribute to a more effective fight against illegal conduct.

Ombudswoman for Gender Equality, Višnja Ljubičić, and three women’s union groups – Women’s Section of the Alliance of Independent Croatian Unions, Women’s Committee of the Independent Croatian Unions, and Women’s Coordination of Croatian Union Association, organized a celebration of the International Women’s Day. The performance “They are among us” was created by Mario Kovač, in collaboration with Petra Radin and participation of: Mia Begović (actress), Ina Čavlina (director), Dora Delbianco (playwright), Sanja Doležal (singer), Marija Husar (singer), Ivona Juka (director), Marija Khon (actress), Jasmina Lovrić (scientist), Larisa Navojec (choreographer), Barbara Nola (actress), Željka Ogresta (producer), Ecija Ojdanić (actress), Mirela Priselac Remy (singer), Maja Sever (journalist), Anica Tomić (director), Davorka Vidović (scientist ), Nina Violić (actress), activists volunteers, among them Paula Zore, a member of the Women’s Room.

Through the presentation of several stories of women victims of sexual harassment, the performance reminded everyone of discrimination and violence against women in the workplace. In addition, leaflet and guide for union representatives and lawyers “Gender discrimination and harassment in employment and labor market” was promoted.

Check our website for further information and support our play by attending!

Founder of the global V-Day, Eve Ensler, has launched a new global campaign to end violence against women, in which you can take part by – dancing.

This year, V-Day – a global movement against violence against women and girls marks 15 years of combating violence against women and girls. However, traditional performance of Vagina Monologues by the author Eve Ensler, which “promotes awareness about violence against women and women’s activism against violence against women and girls,” has lost the strength and visibility, and the ‘mother of the movement’, Ensler created a new campaign.

The campaign is called One Billion Rising, which is an estimated number of abused women in the world. The official announcement says how One Billion Rising is a “global protest and call to women to dance thereby refusing to accept the status quo as long as rape and the culture of violence do note cease to exist. It emphasizes solidarity, which aims to demonstrate the unity of women’s struggle, but also the power of their numbers. Billion rising is the call to millions of abused women, the men who love them, women who have been beaten, raped, economically devalued and sold, as well as those who know that the destruction of women leads to the end of humankind, to come out of their homes, take over the streets and squares, invite their friends, protest and dance … ”

In Zagreb, this dance uprising will take place in Zrinjevac on February 14 at 2 pm. It is being organized by the Centre for Women Studies, the Center for Women War Victims, the Women’s Room, K-Zone, an Association of Persons with Disabilities of Croatia, UNDP Croatia, and prominent individuals.

Action is supported by public figures who will celebrate this Valentine’s Day through singing, playing music and dancing in protest against the violence. Among them are: Nina Romić, Zdenka Kovačiček, Maja Vučić, Le Zbor, Žen, U pol 9 kod Sabe, Apokalipso, Hladno pivo, Boa, Goran Bogdan, Goran Navojec, Vesna Mimica and VEM, 5 Ritmova, Centar salsa, COREnesa … . and many, many others … One Billion Rising Croatia invites citizens of Croatia to get involved in this global protest and come to Zrinjevac on February 14 (2-6 pm).

From May to December 2012, the Women’s Room, in collaboration with the Office of Mayor, implemented a project with the aim of raising awareness and sensitizing the public on the issue of domestic violence. In addition to advertising on public transport, and organizing a public action, a short TV spot was filmed. Through participation in the TV spot Actor Goran Bogdan has supported the campaign and once again contributed to the prevention of violence against women.

On January 22, 2013, Croatia became 26th Member State of the Council of Europe to have signed the “Convention on the Prevention and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence“. The Council of Europe adopted the Convention in April 2011 and its signing began during May in Istanbul. In March of last year, Turkey was not only the first country that has signed it, but also the only Member State of the Council of Europe, which has ratified this Convention. The Convention is the first legally binding European instrument in this area that identifies measures for prevention of all forms of violence and discrimination against women, including psychological, physical and sexual violence, stalking, forced marriage and female genital mutilation, and points to the connection between gender-based violence and gender equality.

Among the key areas of the Convention are prevention, protection, monitoring, criminal responsibility, and a set of policies and measures, which involve cooperation between governments, nongovernmental organizations, agencies, etc. The legal framework for the prevention of violence against women is focused on the work of non-governmental organizations and the media in campaigns aimed at raising awareness and promoting gender equality, victim assistance programs, and programs for work with perpetrators.

The Convention defines the offenses that Member States will be required to include in their legislative systems, and consequently criminally prosecute the perpetrators. Offenses include psychological and physical violence, sexual violence and rape, stalking, forced marriage, forced abortion and forced sterilization as well as female genital mutilation. Through this Convention, Croatia will for the first time introduce, in its legislative framework, genital mutilation as a form of violence against women. Besides women, victims under the Convention include men, children and the elderly.

Among the key areas of the Convention are prevention, protection, monitoring, criminal responsibility, and a set of policies and measures, which involve cooperation between governments, nongovernmental organizations, agencies, etc. The legal framework for the prevention of violence against women is focused on the work of non-governmental organizations and the media in campaigns aimed at raising awareness and promoting gender equality, victim assistance programs, and programs for work with perpetrators.

The Convention defines the offenses that Member States will be required to include in their legislative systems, and consequently criminally prosecute the perpetrators. Offenses include psychological and physical violence, sexual violence and rape, stalking, forced marriage, forced abortion and forced sterilization as well as female genital mutilation. Through this Convention, Croatia will for the first time introduce, in its legislative framework, genital mutilation as a form of violence against women. Besides women, victims under the Convention include men, children and the elderly.

On January 12, 2013, hokey players of Medveščak presented a calendar through which they want to attract attention and remind all of us of the importance of guide dogs and consideration for people who are safer in the streets because of them. In order for their training to be more numerous and easier, we have teamed up with the Croatian Guide Dog and Mobility Association and produced a calendar “Always Together” starring Lala, Xanta, Bono, Vili and Heidi alongside the players.

Gal Koren, Alan Letang, Saša Martinović, Andy Sertich, Brandon Buck and Michael Ouzas presented everyday situations, such as tram or taxi ride or going to a restaurant where they were always accompanied by their guide dogs, which should be possible in everyday life!

Photographs were a volunteer work of the member and photographer of the Women’s Room, Boris Krstinić.

You can support this action by purchasing a calendar that will be available at all matches of the Arena Ice Fever, and at the Guide Dog and Mobility Association.

Calendar can be viewed at the following link .

In the scope of the project “Through acting against violence,” implemented by the Women’s Room, and supported by the City Office of Education, Culture and Sports of the City of Zagreb, a theater performance “Why me?” on the subject of human trafficking was organized at the Children’s Theatre Branko Mihaljević in Osijek.

The play delighted everyone again, and educated more than one hundred young people on the issue of human trafficking.

We would like to announce, with great pleasure, that the Croatian Government at its 64th session held on November 29, 2012, based on the proposal of the Office for Gender Equality, adopted the Code of Conduct in Cases of Sexual Violence.

More about the Code and its goals can be found on the website of theOffice for Gender Equality.

The Women’s Room organized on November 21, 2012 in hotel International a round table entitled: “Violence against Women with Disabilities” on the occasion of the International Day Against Violence Against Women.

Guests with the opening remarks at the roundtable were:

Roundtable brought together a number of participants from the public and civil sectors, relevant bodies and institutions as well as civil society organizations dealing with violence against women and/or protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. The round table has provided the ability to exchange information in the field of protection of women’s human rights with the emphasis on women with disabilities who are survivors of violence.



Of the total population, women with disabilities comprise about 77 percent of the lower educational level, which means they have completed a four-year or eight-year school or did not finish elementary school. This is important information that illustrates the seriousness of the problem and difficulties with their involvement in the community, and return to work or employment, warned the Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities Anka Slonjšak. She pointed out that according to data from the Croatian National Institute of Public Health, there are 518 389 people with disabilities, 40% of which are women. Speaking about the problem of violence against women with disabilities, she noted that the most common forms of violence are domestic violence, violence in the community and at the workplace, but that the most alarming issue is that this violence goes unreported.

Ombudsperson for Gender Equality, Višnja Ljubičić, pointed out specific problems of women with disabilities in Croatia in terms of economic problems such as the inability to find employment, pointing out that it is harder for them to become employed than for men with disabilities. Ljubičić has presented data obtained from the workshops with disabled women who say that only 30 percent of the women were granted the right to a disability pension, compared to 70 percent of men. The largest number of women with disabilities, 74.3 percent live in families, 19 percent lives alone, and 53 percent of women live in institutions.


President of the Network of Women with Disabilities, Gordana Jurčević, emphasized that when we talk about violence against women with disabilities, we should keep in mind that neglect also represents violence. She pointed out that the psychological violence is dominant, since women with disabilities, she said, do not recognize it due to their dependence on assistance from others. Most often, it occurs in the family, and is done under the guise of overprotection of parents or spouses and therefore they cannot exercise their choice, she warned.

Organization of this round table was financially supported by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Youth and carried out in cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare and People with Disabilities of the City of Zagreb.

On November 8, 2012, a round table discussion was organized by the Section of Psychology of Sexuality and Psychology of Gender“Position of the psychological profession in the area of ​​sexuality,” which was prepared by Ida Šamanović and Maja Mamula. The round table was attended by 30 psychologists.


On November 9, 2012, a round table discussion was organized by the Section of Clinical and Health Psychology and the Section of Psychology of Sexuality and Psychology of Gender “Different forms of partnerhips” that was led by Iva Žegura. Guests included the Ombudsperson for Gender Equality Višnja Ljubičić and Maja Mamula. At the roundtable, a documentary film about same-sex parenting “Homo Baby Boom” (Anna Boluda, 2008) was screened. 30 psychologists participated in the discussion.


On the same day, a round table “Inclusion and effects of therapeutic dogs on family users – children with developmental difficulties” took place, which was hosted by Maja Mamula. Guests included Mira Katalenić and Lucija Katalenić from the Croatian Guide Dog and Mobility Association. Ksanta, yellow Labrador guide dog was present at the round table and caused great attention. In spite of very high quality and brilliant lecture by Lucija, the round table was attended by only 12 psychologists, given a series of parallel events at this year’s conference. After the round table, numerous psychologists met with Mira and Lucija.


On November 10, 2012, a symposium of the Section of Psychology of Sexuality and Psychology of Gender was organized, entitled: Violence in the family – the other side of the coin, and led by Maja Mamula. Symposium included a series of presentations related to the less recognized victims of domestic violence, and the dilemmas that psychologists working with victims of violence encounter in their practice. Although the symposium took place on the last day of the conference, it was attended by more than 50 psychologists.

We are pleased to invite you to a training for volunteers “Prevent Sexual Violence”, conducted by the Women’s Room – Center for Sexual Rights.

Training will be held on November 30, 2012 (from 10:00 h – 18 h) and December 1, 2012 (from 10.00 am -16.00 pm) at Hotel Palace Square of J.J. Strossmayer 10, Zagreb.

Training sessions will focus on themes such as gender-based violence, forms and  prevalence of sexual violence, consequences of sexual violence, the Code of conduct in cases of sexual violence in schools, forms of assistance and protection, and the methodology of working with youth.

The training will be led by Maja Vukmanić (social pedagoguish) and Antonija Hojt (social pedagoguish). Also, the training will include a guest lecturer Ana Ergović Kuzmanović (social worker), head of the Committee for organizing and providing support and assistance to victims/witnesses who will present their work and introduce the participants with the process of reporting violence to relevant institutions.

After the training, each volunteer will, in collaboration with the Women’s Room, conduct two workshops for youth in secondary schools in their local communities. Participants will receive a certificate of completion of the training and conducted workshops.

Experience in the design and implementation of workshops is desired, and preference is given to those who reside outside of Zagreb.

Training is free and the attendance is mandatory during the entire duration of the training. The training is implemented with the financial support by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Youth, in collaboration with the City Office for Social Welfare and People with Disabilities.

Deadline for applications is November 11, 2012.

Please send us completed application and resume before the deadline via e-mail.

Registration form can be downloaded here: prijavnica

Contact:
Antonija Hojt – project assistant
e-mail: zenska.soba@zenskasoba.hr
tel: 01/6119-174

Objectives of the action:

Association of sociology students “Anomie” organized the Sociological summer school titled “Sociology of Sex and Culture of Gender” from September  24 to 30, 2012.

In the scope of this year’s summer school, Women’s Room coordinator, Maja Mamula held a two-hour lecture on “Sexual violence” on September 28.

On the occasion of the National Day Against Violence Against Women, Family Center of the Osijek-Baranja County, in cooperation with the Prevention Department of the Police Administration of the  Osijek-Baranja County and the County Team for Violence Prevention, organized a public lecture “Violence against Women in Croatia: progress made and next steps” on September 21, 2012.

The two-hour lecture was held by the Coordinator of Women’s Room, Maja Mamula, Ph.D., a psychologist, at the premises of the Croatian Chamber of Economy, County Chamber Osijek. The response to the lecture was extremely positive, and the lecture was followed by an interesting discussion accompanied by a myriad of examples from the practice of representatives of numerous institutions.

10.03.2012.

Flowers Square, Zagreb

Women’s Room – Center for Sexual Rights is organizing on Saturday,March 10, 2012 from 12-14h promotion of the web site “Safe Zone” at the Flowers Market in Zagreb as part of a national campaign against violence against women “In three clicks choose a life free of violence”, and we would like to invite you to join us and contribute to this event.

• musical program
• numerous public figures who support this campaign
• delicacies that will be prepared for this occasion by last year’sfinalists of the MasterChef
  
• T-shirts designed by a famous Croatian fashion designer Ivica Skoko
  
• promotion hosts: Sonja Šarunić and Irina Čulinović
  

All proceeds from the sale of T-shirts and snacks prepared by MasterChefs will be used for the media campaign “In three clicks choose a life free of violence”, which is implemented as a public campaign for 0 kunas.

More about the campaign “In three clicks choose a life free of violence”:

The core of the campaign “In three clicks choose a life free of violence” is promoting the website “Safe Zone” (www.sigurnomjesto.hr), which was officially launched on February 22, 2012, and is intended for women victims of violence, as well as institutions and civil society organizations that work on this very important social issue. The main objectives are to assist women who are victims of any form of violence in finding help and support by including in one place all the necessary information on reporting violence, or for the decision to exit the violence, as well as to improve the exchange of information between the various bodies and institutions with civil society organizations.

Campaign objectives:

Launching of the website a “Safe Zone” is financially supported by the Ministry of Social Policy and Youth and, and the City of Zagreb – Office for Social Welfare and People with Disabilities, which is a partner in the project.

Learn more about our web site “Safe Zone” and the issue of violence against women by watching the shows in which we participated!

Hrvatska uživo, 22.02.2012. 

Dobro jutro Hrvatska, 23.02.2012.

Puls Hrvatske, 27.02.2012.

• mr. sc. Zrinka Vrabec Mojzeš, Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia

• mr. sc. Helena Štimac Radin, Office for Gender Equality of the Republic of Croatia

• Branka Žigante Živković, sutkinja Visokog prekršajnog suda, a judge at the High Misdemeanor Court

The Women’s Room invites you to the presentation of the website “Safe Zone” to be held on

 February 22, 2012

HOTEL DUBROVNIK AT 11 AM

Website Safe Zone is intended for women who are victims of violence, as well as institutions and civil society organizations that work on this very important social issue. The main objectives are to assist women who are victims of any form of violence in finding help and support by including in one place all the necessary information on reporting violence, or for the decision to exit the violence, as well as to improve the exchange of information between the various bodies and institutions with civil society organizations.

Guests who will give a short address will be:

• mr. sc. Zrinka Vrabec Mojzeš, Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia
• Milanka Opačić, Minister of Social Policy and Youth
• mr. sc. Helena Štimac Radin, Office for Gender Equality of the Republic of Croatia
• Branka Žigante Živković, Judge of the High Misdemeanor Court
• mr. sc. Maja Mamula – Coordinator of the Women’s Room

Maja Mamula from the Women’s Room has participated as an independent expert at the European Commission meeting in London on February 7 and 8, 2012. The meeting was held in order to exchange good practices in the area of gender equality, and the theme was“Raising awareness to combat violence against women and girls.”

The meeting was attended by representatives from 15 countries (2 representative from each country – people from relevant institutions/authorities and independent experts), the European Commission and the European Institute for Gender Equality. Public campaigns from the United Kingdom and Greece have been presented, while all participants had the opportunity to talk about examples of campaigns and preventive actions against violence against women and girls in their countries.

Before the meeting, independent experts had an obligation to send brief reports on violence against women and girls, with an emphasis on prevention activities in their countries, which will be posted on the official website of the European Commission.

Today, on January 30, 2012 Maja Mamula, Rada Borić, Branka Žigante Živković and Gordana Sobol met with the Croatian President Mr. Josipović on the occasion of the signing of the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence by the Republic Croatia. Initiative to support the signing of the Convention was started a Dubravka Šimonović, Ph.D., former Co-Chairman of the Committee of CAHVIO who prepared the Convention and a member of the UN CEDAW Committee, and Maja Mamula, Coordinator of the Women’s Room.

In April 2011, the Council of Europe adopted the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, and on May 11, 2011 in Istanbul, it was opened for signing. To this date, it has been signed by 17 countries, but not Croatia.

The Convention, as a first binding European instrument creates a comprehensive legal framework for the prevention of violence, protection of victims and punishment of perpetrators, and envisages the establishment of the group of international experts, which will monitor the implementation of the Convention at the national level.

President Josipović expressed his support for signing and ratification of this Convention.

The Women’s Room held a training day for volunteers of the Department for organizing and providing support to witnesses and victims at hotel “Dora” in Zagreb. The training was conducted by members of the Women’s Room, Maja Vukmanić and Antonija Hojt. The participants of the training were educated about sexual violence, consequences of sexual violence, and the basics of counseling work. We would like to thank the Department for organizing and providing support to witnesses and victims for the invitation, and volunteers on their interest and participation.

Fotografije u visokoj rezoluciji s Markovog trga možete preuzeti na:
http://zelena-akcija.hr/uploads/zelena_akcija/document_translations/000/000/789/akcija112.zip?1324548494

Kontakt: Sanja Sarnavka, 098/982 4645

Women’s Room organized the theater play “Why me?” as a part of the project, which is financially supported by the City of Zagreb – City Office of Education, Culture and Sports. Theater play was organized in KNAP (heatre on Pešćenica) on December 12 and we performed in front of a full theater.

We would like to thank 13th Gymnasium, all teachers and pupils for your interest and support!

Also, we would like to thank again the theater group Minimalists and its members: Ana Pavlović, Marta Dugandžić, Valentina Lončarić, Luka Žučko, Robert Budak, Tomislav Brodarić and coordinator of the theater group, Ana Đordić!

Despite the fact that we are done with performances for this year – we will continue with the same energy in the next year!

The Office for Human Rights of the Government of Croatia organized on Saturday December 10, 2011 events on Ban Jelačić Square to mark the International Human Rights Day. On this occasion, in addition to the special program on stage, representatives of civil society organizations had booths at the square and  distributed leaflets, brochures and other materials created as part of numerous projects for the improvement of human rights in Croatia, and answered questions by citizens. Women’s Room’s was represented at the booth by Antonija Hojt and Paula Zore.

Theater Play „Why Me?“ about trafficking in human beings was organized on December 3 in the City Youth Theater in Split. The theater play was created as a part of the project financially supported by the Office for Human Rights of the Government of Croatia. The theater group “Minimalists” consists of pupils from 13th Gymnasium, students from different faculties of the University of Zagreb, coordinator Ana Đorđić, teacher of Croatian language and philosophy, and Vukmanić Maja and Dalibor Stanić, members of the Women’s Room.

We would like to thank Tourism – Hospitality School, Natural Sciences – Technical School, and 5th Gymnasium for your interest in the play and the issue of trafficking in human beings!

Next play is scheduled for December 12 at 8 pm in the Cultural Center Peščenica! See you!

On November 24, 2011, the Women’s Room – Center for Sexual Rights organized a round table “Introducing Prevention Programs against Sexual Violence into Schools” thereby marking theInternational Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Guests, who gave introductory presentations, included:Gordana Sobol (president of the Committee for Gender Equality of the Croatian Parliament); Vesna Jureša, Ph.D. (Faculty of Medicine, Zagreb, School of Public Health „Andrija Štampar“); Sanja Cesar(CESI- Center for Education, Counseling, and Research) and Emina Bužinkić (Initiative for Introducing Human Rights Education and Democratic Citizenship).

Apart from depressing statistics about victims of sexual violence, participants learned about experience in work with youth on prevention of sexual violence as well as research results related to these issues. The emphasis was placed on cooperation between all relevant stakeholders in order to efficiently work on prevention of sexual violence. We would like to thank all guest-presenters and participants.

A representative of the Women’s Room, Vukmanić Maja, was invited by the civil society organization «Dolphin» to deliver a lecture for 50 representatives of Military barracks Požega. Mirjana Bilopavlović (Delfin) started the two-hour lecture by presenting the phenomenon of trafficking in persons. Following was a lecture about sexual violence as a dominant form of exploitation of women in the process of trafficking in persons.

Dear all!

It is our pleasure to invite you to participate in training for volunteers (students) «Through Volunteering against Sexual Violence», implemented by the Women’s Room – Center for Sexual Rights.



Training will be held on November 4, 2011 (from 10am to 5pm) andNovember 5, 2011 (from 10am to 5pm) in Maksimirska 51a, First Floor.

Training will cover topics related to gender-based violence, forms and prevalence of sexual violence, consequences of sexual violence, Code of Conduct in Cases of Sexual Violence in Schools, forms of support and protection, and methodology of work with youth.

After completing the training, and in cooperation with the Women’s Room, each volunteer will lead two workshops for youth in secondary schools in their local communities.

Participants will receive certificate for completed training and implemented workshops.

Experience in development and implementation of workshops is desirable.Preference will be given to persons residing outside of Zagreb. Training is free of charge and the attendance at entire training is required.

Application deadline is October 28, 2011 at noon. 



Please send us your resume before the deadline.

Warm regards,

Antonija Hojt – project assistant

e-mail: zenska.soba@zenskasoba.hr
phone: (385) 01/6119-174

We collected over 3,600 signatures of citizens in public actions „I am signing!“ Actions were held in Sisak, Virovitica, Pakrac and Zagreb. Signatures support introduction of systematic education about the prevention of sexual violence. Citizens gave their full support to this initiative, obtained information about problems related to sexual violence, and joined the prevention efforts.

We would like to thank everyone once again for support and interest!

The Women’s Room’s Team

On October 6, 2011, Mirjana Bilopavlović from Dolphin, Pakrac, and Ksenija Ivančnik Blažević, Chief of the Penitentiary for women in Požega, organized three-hour lecture for women.

Topic of the lecture was trafficking in persons and sexual violence. Workshop was co-led by Mirjana Bilopavlović (trafficking) and Maja Mamula (sexual violence). There were ten participants at the workshop who actively participated, shared their personal stories, and examples related to numerous forms of violence against women.

The Women’s Room organized, from September 30 through October 2, 2011, on Trg kralja Tomislava in Zagreb, public action symbolically termed «I am Signing!», which is part of the project «Prevention of Sexual Violence – Step by Step». The project is financially supported by Cooperating Netherlands Foundations for Central and Eastern Europe.

Aims of the action were:

•   to draw public attention to the need for introducing systematic and compulsory education on prevention of sexual violence among youth in secondary schools;
•    to collect signatures of citizens who support such initiative;
•    to express support for the campaign of the Council of Europe to stop sexual violence against children.

The public action included stand with info materials (leaflets and badges created for this event), setting up a ten-meter long sheet and performance by «Zli bubnjari».

Sheet, which was installed for citizens to express support for the action through their signature was filled after the first day. Consequently, we installed another sheet, which was also filled with numerous signatures, but also with comments in support of many strategies for combating violence.

The same public action was organized in Virovitica, Pakrac, and Sisak, in cooperation with partner organizations in the project: S.O.S. Telephone – Call for Help Virovitica, Center for Support and Development of Civil Society «Dolphin», and Center for Women Adela.

A large number of citizens signatures indicates awareness of the public about the problem of sexual violence and violence among youth in general, and their support to all initiatives for combating violence.

 

Sheets from all towns where the action was organized will be delivered to the Ministry of Science, Education, and Sport. We hope this will prompt initiatives to introduce continuous and systematic education about sexual violence into secondary schools.

This action would not be possible without the assistance of our dear volunteers, whom we would like to thank wholeheartedly. We would also like to thank «Zli bubnjari» for their fabulous performance, and all citizens who supported this action.

Trg kralja Tomislava
30.09. – 02.10.2011.

The Women’s Room – Center for Sexual Rights is organizing the public action “I am Signing!” from September 30 through October 2, 2011 starting at 10 AM. Representatives of the Youth Council of the City of Zagreb will join the action.

Schedule of events:

Friday: 10h – 17h, collecting signatures on the installed sheet (10 meters), distributing materials designed specifically for this event

Saturday: 10h – 14h; collecting signatures of citizens on the installed sheet (10 meters), distributing promo materials (leaflets, badges, balloons) designed specifically for this event, performance by Zli Bubnjari 11h – 12h;

Sunday: 10h – 14h, collecting signatures on the installed sheet (10 meters), distributing materials designed specifically for this event

Goals of the action:

Reasons for introduction of systematic education about

sexual violence into secondary schools:

As evident from these statistics (data from the Ministry of Interior Affairs), youth is a vulnerable group who needs additional education in order to recognize sexual violence and protect themselves, and also get sensitized to rights and needs of others.

Prevention is the most effective way to reduce prevalence of violence and enable youth to grow up in a safe environment.

Motivated by this situation, we decided to initiate these actions because we believe that introduction of education that would be aimed at prevention of sexual violence should be systematically covered by school curricula.

“Using Gender Equality to Combat Sexual Violence”

Dear all!

Deadline for applications is January 31, 2011.

Please send us your resume before the deadline.

Best regards,

Antonija Hojt – project assistant
e-mail : zenska.soba@zenskasoba.hr
Phone: 01/6119-174

For more information about products, methods of payments and delivery call us at 01 611 9174 or e-mail us zenska.soba@zenskasoba.hr

T-shirt

Click on the T-shirt for larger image

Dark blue T-shirt

Sizes: fitted:     S – M – L
unfitted:  M – L – XL

Price: 70,00 HRK

Linen Bag

Click on the bag for larger image

Size: 40×37 cm

Price: 30,00 HRK

Ministry of Health and Social Welfare approved our three-year program, which will fund the work of the Center for Victims of Sexual Violence, within the scope of the Women’s Room. Approved means will enable Center’s work in the full capacity for the next three years.

A group of students of psychology from the Croatian Studies and social pedagogy from Faculty Education and Rehabilitation Sciences in Zagreb visited Women’s Room on June 8 in order to learn about work of the Women’s Room and Center for Victims of Sexual Violence.

On Thursday, June 9, Maja Mamula delivered last in the set of lectures at the Police Academy in Zagreb. Attendees of the last lecture were over 30 chiefs of shifts of the police stations across Croatia. They were introduced to situation in Croatia related to violence against women, the role of civil society organizations in combating this form of violence as well as support and assistance services provided to victims by civil society organizations. We would like to thank the Police Academy for the invitation and we hope this successful cooperation will continue in the future.

Team of Women’s Room  

On Wednesday, May 18, Maja Mamula delivered another regular monthly lecture at the Police Academy in Zagreb. Over 30 chiefs of shifts of the police stations across Croatia also attended this lecture. They were introduced to situation in Croatia related to violence against women, the role of civil society organizations in combating this form of violence as well as support and assistance services provided to victims by civil society organizations.

By invitation from the Association Lawyer, Maja Mamula presented at the panel „Trafficking in Human Beings“ on May 11, 2011. Presentation focused on psychological consequences of traumatic experiences on the victim as well as influence of trauma on giving reports and witnessing. Apart from Mamula, presenters were Lovorka Marinović, coordinator of the program for combating trafficking in human beings of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Davor Derenčinović, professor of Criminal Law at the Faculty of Law in Zagreb.

Participants of the panel were 50 students, predominantly from the Faculty of Law, but also from other Faculties.

At the press conference held in the Women’s Room on April 21, Maja Mamula and Maja Vukmanić presented report “Sexual Violence in Croatia 2000 – 2010”. Apart from data related to sexual violence in Croatia in the past 11 years, journalists were familiarized with important changes that took place during this time period, which lead to improvement of protection of rights of victims of sexual violence. Report is available here (pdf).

On Wednesday, April 6, Maja Mamula delivered lecture at the Police Academy in Zagreb. More than thirty shift chiefs from police stations across Croatia were familiarized with the situation in Croatia related to violence against women, the role of civil society organizations in combating this form of violence as well as support and assistance services provided to victims by civil society organizations.

It is our pleasure to invite you to one-day training “Using Gender Equality to Combat Sexual Violence”, carried out by the expert team of the Women’s Room – Center for Sexual Rights, and financially supported by Cooperating Netherlands Foundations.

This project was designed as a continuation of systematic, long-term education of youth as well as expert associates and teachers, with the emphasis on prevention of sexual violence among youth and education on gender equality.

Training for expert associates and teachers lasts one-day (7 hours) and starts at 10 am on April 16, 2011 in Hotel Palace, Zagreb. Since training is free of charge, we expect all participants to implement at least one workshop on this topic with youth. Training has been reported to the Croatian Psychological Chamber for points. Invitation letter, short program of the training as well as application can be accessed on the website of the Croatian Psychological Chamber.

Deadline for applications of teachers and expert associates is April 10, 2011. Applications should be submitted by regular or electronic mail to Women’s Room (Maksimirska 51 a, Zagreb). Due to limited number or participants (25 people), advantage will be given to the earliest applications.

Costs of trainings (work premises, coffee break, lunch) is covered by the Women’s Room, thanks to support of Cooperating Netherlands Foundations. For additional information, please feel free to contact us (01/ 61 19 174 or zenska.soba@zenskasoba.hr)

We are looking forward to working with you!

On Monday, March 21, another monthly lecture was delivered at the Police Academy in Zagreb. Attendees of this week’s lecture were thirty chiefs of shifts in police stations across Croatia. Maja Mamula introduced the audience to the situation in Croatia related to violence against women, the role of civil society organizations in combating this form of violence as well as support and assistance services provided to victims by civil society organizations.

Maja Mamula delivered a lecture on March 16 within the scope of the project “Using Gender Equality to Combat Sexual Violence”, implemented in cooperation with SOS Telephone Virovitica and with the financial support of the Ministry of Science, Education and Sport. The lecture was entitled: Sexual Violence among Adolescents and the audience included forty-one teachers and expert associates of the Vocational School Virovitica.

Theater play “Why Me?”, created within the scope of the project “L and K in action”, which was financially supported by the Office for Human Rights of the Government of Croatia, is being performed at 35th SKAZ! Festival of theater plays starts on March 28 in the Cultural Center Peščenica (Ivanićgradska 41a), ticket price is 10 HRK (15 HRK after March 25) and is valid for the entire day. Women’s Room and the theater group “Minimalisti” are performing on March 29 at 6.30 pm!Come and support us!

In the scope of the program “Educations on Thursday at 18h” of the Family Center of the City of Zagreb, Maja Mamula held a lecture entitled “Status of Woman in the Croatian Society”. The lecture was held in regards to the International Women’s Day on March 10, 2011.

On March 7, 2011, in regards to the upcoming International Women’s Day, Maja Mamula participated in the round table in the Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia entitled “Changes and amendments of the Penal Code pertaining to women’s rights, domestic violence, protection of victims of violence and protection of maternity”. The round table covered the topic of “Women and the employment market”. The round table was organized by the Council for Social Justice, which was founded by the President of the Republic. Apart from members of the Council, participants of the round table included representatives of other women’s civil society organizations.

Women’s Room – Center for Sexual Rights implemented nine workshops between March 7 and 10, 2001 in the 3rd High School of Economics within the scope of the project “Using Gender Equality to Combat Sexual Violence”, financed by the Ministry of Science, Education and Sport.

Aim of these workshops was to raise awareness among high school students about the prevalence of problems related to sexual harassment, as the most prevalent form of sexual violence among youth, as well as teach them about prevention methods. Workshops focused on differences between gender and sex, and through examples of gender roles we emphasized gender and sexual stereotypes and prejudice, which can potentially lead to gender-based violence.

We would like to thank 3rd High School of Economics in Zagreb for their interest and enabling implementation of workshops.

Benefit concert for Women’s Room was organized by Homerfest – humanitarian association of the students of the Classical Gymnasium on Saturday, February 19, 2011. The concert started at 8 pm and performing bands were Lobotomija, Ignor, Artoo Deetoo, Free Ride and Achromatic Attic. We would like to thank again the organizers, all bands who invested their time and the audience who supported work of the Women’s Room!

Thank you and we wish you the same success and fun for Homerfest 3!

This was one in the set of numerous lectures delivered by representatives of civil society organization at the Police Academy with the aim of informing about and promoting work of various organizations that work on combating violence and providing assistance and support to women who are victims of violence.

Members of the Women’s Room, Antonija Hojt and Paula Zore delivered lecture for students of Classic Gymnasium in Zagreb on February 12, 2011. Topic of the lecture was prevention of sexual harassment. Apart from information related to sexual harassment, students were educated about methodology of work with youth and will implement workshops “Prevention of sexual harassment” in elementary schools in Zagreb. In addition to planned workshops, they organized concert at 8 pm on February 19, 2011 in the Culture Factory in Zagreb. Performers will include demo bands from the Classic Gymnasium. Ticket price is 25 HRK and revenue from the concert will be donated to victims of sexual violence through the Center for Victims of Sexual Violence. We would like to thank high school students again for such valuable initiative and we would like to invite everyone to support and help victims of sexual violence through attendance.

Volunteer Oscar is an annual award given to the Volunteer of the Year for individual contribution in the City of Zagreb. Award Volunteer Oscar recognizes specific and irreplaceable contribution that volunteers provide in community development and increasing quality of life in the City of Zagreb. The award Volunteer Oscar is given by the Volunteers’ Center Zagreb. It was established through the project “Volunteer Service – Solidarity and Community”, funded by the European Commission (program PHARE 2006) and the city of Zagreb.At this moment, the second round is open of the award process for the Volunteer Oscar, Zagreb award for the volunteer of the year. In the first round, decision was made by the expert commission, based on criteria of the competition, and three candidates were chosen for the second round of the competition. Now citizens will decide which candidate deserves this award by voting on the website of the Volunteers’ Centre Zagreb .

One of the candidates is our volunteer and more recently full-fledged member of the Women’s Room’s Team, Antonija Hojt, who has, through her creative ideas and selfless devotion of her time, energy and knowledge, significantly contributed to the prevention of sexual violence, trafficking in persons and achieving gender equality. Support Anotnija Hojt by your vote and, at the same time, work and vision of the Women’s Room: “Society without patriarchy, discrimination, misogyny and gender-based violence where individual expressions are basic values”.

Thank you!

Women’s Room’s Team

On December 7, 2010, Maja Mamula delivered two-hour lecture at the Police Academy for thirty-five chiefs of shifts of numerous police stations on the topic Role of civil society organizations in combating violence and victims’ assistance.

This is one in set of lectures delivered by representatives of civil society at the Police Academy, with the aim of providing insight in work of organizations that work on combating of violence and providing assistance and support to women victims of violence.

3rd biennial scientific symposium was held in Osijek from November 25 to 27, 2010. Symposium was devoted to issues of violence and the aim was to bring together experts of different professions who deal with issues of violence: prevention, causes and consequences, in order to establish optimal forms of prevention and minimize consequences of violence through multidisciplinary approach.

The topic of the symposium was Psychosocial Aspects of Violence in Contemporary Society – Challenge to Families, Schools and Communities.

Coordinator of Women’s Room, Maja Mamula, MA, presented lecture Gender-based Violence – Situation in Croatia and the Role of Civil Society Organizations. In the scope of the lecture, research findings were presented about civil society organizations that provide specialized services to women victims of violence. This research was conducted during 2010 with the financial support of the National Foundation for Civil Society Development. Presentation was attended by 80 experts of different professions who work in the area of violence.

The Commission for Gender Equality of the City of Zagreb organized round table on November 22, 2010 to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Participants at the round table included representatives of various institutions and bodies, such as police, courts, centers for social welfare and civil society organizations. The round table was moderated by the Coordinator of Women’s Room, Maja Mamula, who also gave lecture about the City of Zagreb’s model for combating violence against women.

On November 18, 2010, Women’s Room organized round table in the European House, regarding presentation of the research “Civil Society Organizations which Provide Specialized Services to Women Victims of Violence as Key Actors in the Process of Democratization of the Society” which was conducted this year with financial support of the National Foundation for Civil Society Development. Topic of round table, as well as of the research, was civil society organizations that provide specialized services to women victims of violence as key actors in the process of democratization of the society.

New Women’s Room’s blog has been published on the topic of sexual problems and sexual therapy. Following the text of psychiatrist Goran Arbanas on sexual problems and possible solutions, psychologist and sexual therapist Ida Šamanović wrote a text on vaginism, women’s sexual problem that is rarely talked about. A must read!

blog.vecernji.hr/zenska-soba

On Tuesday, October 26, 2010, Maja Mamula held another lecture at the Police Academy in Zagreb for 50 police station shift chiefs from different parts of Croatia. Topic of the lecture was Violence against Women: Situation in Croatia – The Role of Civil Society Organizations.

18th annual Conference of Croatian Psychologists was held in Opatija between October 13 and 16, 2010. The topic of this year’s conference was Cross-cultural Psychology. Section for Psychology of Sexuality organized symposium Sexuality, Culture, Context, which was coordinated by Maja Mamula, head of the Section for Psychology of Sexuality of the Croatian Psychological Association. Symposium was composed of 9 presentations, and two of them were presented by members of the Women’s Room: Ida Šamanović: Sexual dysfunction among women – vaginism and Maja Mamula: Sexuality, Culture, and Gender. The symposium was very successful and it attracted over 100 psychologists.

Section for Psychology of Sexuality and Section for Clinical and Health Psychology also organized a panel: Mandatory Psychological Counseling during the Process of Medically Assisted Reproduction – Ethical Concerns, moderated by Jasna Belamarić and Maja Mamula.

At the conference, Maja Mamula received an award of the Croatian Psychological Association „MARULIĆ: FIAT PSYCHOLOGIA“ as a public recognition for significant contribution to development and promotion of Croatian applied psychology.

Last week, Women’s Room received donation by the company Velinac, specialized in office furniture manufacture and trade, which has been present both on domestic and international markers for over a decade.

Donation includes office armchairs, which will serve for equipping new premises of Women’s Room, and furnishing the waiting room of the Center for Victims of Sexual Violence.

On Saturday, October 16, 2010, the Office for Human Rights of the Government of Croatia, organized fourth time in a row an event in regards to the European Day against Human Trafficking. As a member of PETRA Network, Women’s Room participated in the event on the Flowers Square. The aim of the event was raising awareness and knowledge of the general public about issues related to trafficking in human beings. Program of the European Day against Human Trafficking consisted of cultural and art program such as performances of popular dance and music groups, theater performers, and art workshops.

This award result of the work of the agency of market communication McCann Erickson, which created series of poster’s “A Doll – room and the office” for Women’s Room’s media campaign in scope of the project Zero Tolerance to Sexual Violence.

This is already third award that Women’s Room’s campaign has received. We received the first one last November from the Netherlands from the festival Eurobest, where the campaign was awarded bronze in the category of creative use of media. The creator of the idea, copywriter and creative director of the interactive print ad is Vanja Blumenšajn from Imago Agency, who has been pronounced the Creative Person of the Year at the Independent Festival of Creative Communications – Judgement Day, and the ad of Women’s Room was awarded in the categories: print ad and use of new media. A jury of 200 creative persons from Croatia voted for these awards, which gives them special meaning.

Women’s Room would like to thank everyone who contributed through ideas and work in realization of this campaign and assisted in raising public awareness about the issue of sexual violence, which continues to be marginalized topic in our society.

Also, we would like to thank everyone for investing energy in advancing the quality of wok of Women’s Room. We would like to congratulate awardees with wishes for many future awards for their work!

Team of Women’s Room

blog.vecernji.hr/zenska-soba