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Description
Croatia is in process of adoption of a new state budget. It is important to advocate for the adoption of the new Gender Equality Policy; financing, support and specific measures for protection of women''s rights exactly at this moment so that the organisations from different parts of Croatia, who provide direct help to women and barely survive, would get necessary support for their work, and to enable systematic implementation of measures for protection of women''s rights.
Objectives of the project:
- Strengthen advocacy/watchdog capacities of women''s rights associations;
- Strengthen capacities of MPs and MEPs related to women''s rights;
- Advocating definining of clear policy for protection of women''s rights and securing support and finances for work in that field.
Activities:
- Preparatory meeting – 15 associations of the Network from 10 different cities: defining problems and advocacy goals;
- Letters to state institutions with proposals regarding national gender equality policy;
- meetings with representatives of the Government (meeting with vice-president of the Government Boris Milošević) and institutional mechanisms (Office for Gender Equality, Ombudswoman for Gender Equality);
- Online meetings with clubs of MPs, phone conversations, letters;
- Organising thematic discussion with members of the Gender Equality Comittee of the Croatian Parliament – phone conversations, email communication, meetings outside Parliament;
- Thematic discussion during online session of the Gender Equality Committee organised in cooperation with women''s associations on the subject of the EU Gender Equality Strategy and the new national gender equality policy, with participation of the member of FEMM Committee and representative of the European Women''s Lobby;
- Online campaign for adoption of the National Policy for Gender Equality.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address several key challenges related to gender equality and the protection of women’s rights in Croatia. Despite the legal obligation of the government, the National Gender Equality Policy had not been adopted since 2015, leaving the country without a comprehensive framework for gender equality for nearly five years. Additionally, the representation of women in politics was inadequate, with only 35 women elected to the Croatian Parliament, which constitutes less than a quarter of the total number of representatives. This raised concerns about the underrepresentation of women in decision-making positions and the need for mechanisms to encourage greater female participation in politics.
The project also aimed to advocate for the adoption of the National Gender Equality Policy, focusing on securing financial support for organizations that assist women, especially those facing financial struggles, and ensuring the systematic implementation of measures to protect women''s rights. Moreover, the project sought to align Croatia''s priorities regarding the protection of women''s rights with the European Union’s Gender Equality Strategy (2020-2025) and the priorities of the European Social Fund. The project aimed to address gaps in responding to issues like violence against women, inadequate legal frameworks, and rising sexism in public discourse, including the anticipated law on abortion.
The project focused on advocating for the adoption of a new National Gender Equality Policy in Croatia and included a range of activities designed to raise awareness, engage key stakeholders, and push for political action.
Key activities included:
Communication with Government Bodies: The project involved drafting and sending letters to the government, the Office for Gender Equality, and the Croatian Parliament to urge the adoption of the National Gender Equality Policy. These letters helped establish communication channels with key government representatives, such as the Deputy Prime Minister and members of Parliament, and resulted in meetings to discuss the policy''s adoption.
Meetings with Government Officials: The project organized online meetings with government officials, such as the Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs, where representatives from women''s organizations highlighted the urgency of adopting the policy. The meetings led to ongoing communication and collaboration with the government and the Ombudsperson for Gender Equality.
Advocacy through Parliamentary Committees: The project co-organized a thematic session of the Committee for Gender Equality in the Croatian Parliament, where issues related to international documents on gender equality and the delay in adopting the National Gender Equality Policy were discussed. This session provided a platform for experts and representatives from various organizations to advocate for the policy''s adoption.
Online Campaign: An online campaign called “Get the National Policy Out of the Drawer” was launched to raise public awareness about the importance of the National Gender Equality Policy. The campaign utilized social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, reaching over 114,000 people and engaging them through posts, videos, and discussions. The campaign was widely shared by member organizations and other groups, significantly increasing its visibility.
Outputs included:
- The drafting and sending of 16 letters to government bodies, resulting in increased communication and the scheduling of follow-up meetings.
- Successful meetings with government officials, including the Deputy Prime Minister, to discuss the adoption of the policy.
- A thematic session in Parliament that helped bring the issue into the public eye and fostered further collaboration among key stakeholders.
- A highly successful online campaign that reached a large audience, generated significant engagement, and amplified the call for the National Gender Equality Policy’s adoption.
Through these activities, the project helped build momentum for the policy’s adoption, raised public awareness, and fostered collaboration between women’s organizations and government bodies.
The project achieved significant results in advocating for the adoption of the National Gender Equality Policy in Croatia, with clear outcomes and impacts for a variety of beneficiaries, including women''s rights organizations, government representatives, and the broader public.
Key Outcomes:
Successful Advocacy for Policy Change: The project led to active discussions and advocacy for the National Gender Equality Policy, particularly through meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister and members of the Croatian Parliament. The topic was successfully raised in multiple forums, including parliamentary sessions and thematic meetings, putting pressure on decision-makers to prioritize the policy.
Increased Visibility and Engagement: The social media campaign, "Take the National Plan out of the Drawer," garnered significant attention, with a notable increase in the reach and engagement on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. The campaign raised awareness about the importance of the National Gender Equality Policy, with a high level of participation from ŽMH member organizations and external stakeholders. Over 114,000 people were reached, with over 84,000 interactions, highlighting a strong public interest in gender equality.
Strengthened Cooperation Among Women''s Rights Organizations: The project facilitated better coordination among ŽMH member organizations and other key partners, like Zaklada Solidarna and European Women''s Lobby. This cooperation led to a more unified voice advocating for gender equality and the implementation of the National Policy.
Institutional Support for the Cause: The involvement of governmental bodies, such as the Ombudsperson for Gender Equality, and experts in women''s rights, like Snježana Vasiljević and Sanja Bezbradica Jelavić, lent credibility to the campaign and further emphasized the need for systemic change. Furthermore, support from parliamentarians and ministries helped create a platform for continued dialogue and potential action on the issue.
Media Coverage and Public Awareness: Media outlets, including those from non-member organizations, amplified the campaign''s messages. This expanded the reach of the advocacy efforts, raising public awareness about the need for the National Gender Equality Policy and its impact on women''s lives in Croatia.
Impact for Beneficiaries:
Women''s Rights Organizations (ŽMH members): The project strengthened the capacity of women''s rights organizations by providing them with a platform to collaborate, engage in high-level advocacy, and amplify their messages. The campaign and advocacy activities empowered these organizations to take a more active role in policy discussions and public debates on gender equality.
Government and Decision-Makers: The project contributed to opening channels of communication between women''s rights organizations and the Croatian government. The meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister, representatives of the Ministry of Social Policy, and other key institutions set the stage for continued dialogue and advocacy. This interaction increased government awareness of the urgency of adopting the National Gender Equality Policy.
Women in Croatia: The broader public, especially women in Croatia, benefited from the raised awareness about the importance of gender equality policy. The project aimed to impact public opinion, ensuring that gender equality remains a central issue for the government and that policies directly affecting women’s lives are prioritized.
Academics and Experts: Legal experts and scholars involved in the project gained a platform to share their knowledge, especially regarding the impact of international recommendations on domestic policy. This increased their visibility and contributed to the intellectual and legal discourse around gender equality in Croatia.
Overall, the project successfully mobilized key stakeholders, raised public awareness, and advanced the push for the National Gender Equality Policy, benefiting both civil society actors and the broader population, particularly women.