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Description
Croatia is the third worst country in the EU in terms of the number of femicides (13 women killed in 2022). An ineffective response to the problem is the absence of a strategic approach to violence against women and the absence of effective and systematic violence prevention measures (research by the European Institute for Gender Equality; also relevant for ESF+ in Croatia). The national strategy for protection against domestic violence from 2017 to 2022 was gender neutral, did not contain a strategic approach to all forms of violence against women, and was not aligned with the Istanbul Convention: prevention, protection, prosecution, coordinated policies. A working group for the new strategy was established (including two members of the Women''s Network).
The Women''s Network of Croatia warned on December 6 about the escalation of violence and, what is worrying, about the number of women killed; representatives of almost all opposition parties jointly announced in the Croatian Parliament that they support the demands of women''s associations for the adoption of a complete National Strategy against violence.
The goal of the project is advocacy of the comprehensive National Strategy against violence against women and to strengthen the advocacy/watchdog capacities of associations for the protection of women''s rights.
Key activities: Drafting of the "National Strategy against violence against women in the shadows" with consultation with experts; Meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister Anja Šimpraga and the Ombudsperson for Gender Equality; Communication with representatives in the Croatian Parliament and letters to the Government and the Croatian Parliament regarding the adoption of the National Strategy against Violence against Women; Conference for the presentation of the National Strategy against violence against women in the shadows with the participation of representatives of state institutions.
Summary of project results
In 2022, 13 women were murdered in Croatia, placing the country among the top three in the European Union for femicide rates, according to the European Institute for Gender Equality. The rise in femicide is attributed to the lack of a strategic approach and effective, systematic preventive measures, as highlighted by women''s rights organizations and the Gender Equality Ombudsperson in their annual reports.
Research from the EU Gender Equality Institute shows a direct correlation between lower gender equality integration and higher femicide rates. This is linked to Croatia’s lack of key strategies for gender equality and violence against women. Although the National Gender Equality Policy of 2001 envisioned a National Strategy against Violence against Women, such a strategy has yet to be adopted, and Croatia has been without a National Gender Equality Policy for seven years.
Croatia still does not fully recognize gender-based violence. Most policies and laws addressing violence are gender-neutral, including the main strategic document on domestic violence. Domestic violence is only one form of gender-based violence against women, underscoring the need for a comprehensive strategy addressing all forms of violence against women.
A national strategy addressing all forms of violence against women is crucial for determining priorities in utilizing European structural and investment funds in Croatia. The National Strategy for the Protection from Domestic Violence (2017-2022) expired, and the strategy was gender-neutral, not aligned with the Istanbul Convention, which requires a strategic approach to violence against women. Now is a critical moment to advocate for a comprehensive approach to this issue.
The relevant ministry formed a working group to create the new national strategy, with only three representatives from women’s organizations, including one from the Women’s Network Croatia. The Network''s demand, presented at both the working group and government meetings, is to expand the group''s scope and create a unified strategy addressing all forms of violence against women, in line with the Istanbul Convention and the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.
On December 6, to mark the International Day Against Femicide, the Women’s Network Croatia organized a public action in 11 cities. The action, supported by various organizations and initiatives, including civil society groups in the working group for the national strategy, aimed to highlight the alarming situation of violence against women. The network demanded the adoption of a comprehensive National Strategy against Violence against Women, the recognition of femicide as a distinct crime, and criminal rather than misdemeanor punishment for violence against women. Opposition MPs in the Croatian Parliament, supported these demands during a speech on December 6, 2022, holding symbolic “obituaries” inspired by the Women''s Network action.
This project continues to build on existing collaborations with parliamentarians, including members of the Gender Equality Committee, and continues advocacy for adopting a National Strategy against Violence against Women. The project''s goal is to strengthen the advocacy capacities of women’s rights organizations across Croatia by jointly defining advocacy strategies and proposing specific measures. Additionally, the project connects female parliamentarians with women across Croatia working in the field of women''s human rights. Through exchange and shared goal-setting, the project aims to empower both women in politics and civil society advocates working directly to protect women''s rights.
Activity 1: Online meetings for experience exchange and further defining proposals and measures
During the online meetings focused on sharing experiences and defining civil society proposals for a strategic approach to violence against women, representatives from 16 member organizations of the Women’s Network Croatia, 10 non-member women''s rights organizations and initiatives, and independent experts participated.
As a result of these meetings, various advocacy activities took place, such as letters and public reactions to the UN Special Rapporteur''s report on violence against women, the public action “Women''s Safety is the State’s Responsibility,” and a thematic session of the Croatian Parliament’s Gender Equality Committee. A total of 28 Women’s Network organizations and 13 other women''s rights organizations and initiatives participated.
Through joint advocacy planning, defining demands, and implementing activities (such as meetings with institutions and public actions), civil society organizations strengthened their capacity to adopt a strategic approach to violence against women. Priorities and advocacy goals were developed, demands were defined, and experiences and information about civil society’s involvement in working groups and communications with relevant institutions were shared. Further advocacy steps were also planned.
Activity 2: Working meeting on the development of the National Strategy against Violence against Women
A working meeting to develop the proposal for adopting the National Strategy against Violence against Women was held on May 18, 2023, in Zagreb. Three coordinators from the Women’s Network Croatia participated, working together on a comprehensive proposal for the National Strategy in line with the Istanbul Convention.
On the same day, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Justice, where discussions centered on the need for a strategic approach to violence against women, including the introduction of femicide as a specific crime in the Criminal Code. The strategic approach to violence against women and ongoing collaboration with the Ministry were also discussed.
As a result of the Women’s Network’s advocacy efforts, Croatia has repeatedly expressed active support for the EU Directive, including the provision related to rape. During the meeting, the topics of adopting the National Strategy and introducing femicide as a specific criminal offense were also raised.
Activity 3: Joint proposal developed by Women''s Network Croatia members for the adoption of the National Strategy against Violence against Women
A joint proposal was developed by the members of the Women’s Network Croatia for the adoption of the National Strategy against Violence against Women. This proposal includes specific measures based on the experiences of members from different regions of Croatia. Ten members will participate in the Priority-Setting Meeting and online discussions to further refine the proposal. These contributions will ensure the strategy reflects diverse perspectives and practical insights from across the country.
Activity 4: Letters to the Government, Ministries, and the Working Group for the Development of the National Strategy, and to the Croatian Parliament regarding the National Strategy on Violence against Women
A letter proposing a thematic session of the Croatian Parliament''s Gender Equality Committee, focused on a strategic approach to violence against women, was sent to the Committee’s Chairwoman, Marija Selak Raspudić. This proposal, including the Women’s Network Croatia''s demands, was forwarded to all 13 members of the Gender Equality Committee.
Following the decision to co-organize the thematic session between the Women’s Network Croatia and the Gender Equality Committee, the agenda and opening speeches were prepared based on the Women’s Network’s suggestions. The Committee then issued invitations to the Croatian Government, the Ministry of Justice and Administration, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Labor, Pension System, Family and Social Policy, the Government’s Office for Gender Equality, the Ombudsperson for Gender Equality, the Ombudsperson for Children, the Ombudsperson for People with Disabilities (9 institutions), Croatian Parliament caucuses (16), county gender equality commissions (21), and women’s rights organizations.
The meetings for experience exchange and defining proposals of civil society regarding a strategic approach to violence against women included representatives from 16 member organizations of the Women’s Network Croatia, 10 other organizations and initiatives for women''s rights, and independent experts. Advocacy efforts resulting from these meetings included submissions and public reactions related to the UN Special Rapporteur''s report on violence against women, the public action “Women''s Safety is the State’s Responsibility,” and a thematic session in the Croatian Parliament''s Gender Equality Committee. In total, 28 organizations from the Women''s Network Croatia and 13 other women''s rights organizations participated.
Through joint planning and defining advocacy demands, civil society organizations strengthened their capacity to adopt a strategic approach to violence against women. They developed priorities, set advocacy goals, shared experiences, and coordinated with institutions. The advocacy focused on adopting a National Strategy against all forms of violence against women, in line with the Istanbul Convention.
A key outcome of the Women’s Network’s advocacy is Croatia’s continued support for related EU directives, including provisions on rape. Discussions were held on adopting the National Strategy and introducing femicide as a specific crime in the Criminal Code. Experts from women''s rights and violence prevention fields, along with the Women''s Network and European Women''s Lobby members, will create a proposal for the National Strategy, including specific measures based on international frameworks like GREVIO.
An online campaign for adopting the strategy was launched, with participants from the Women’s Network and other women’s organizations. The campaign emphasized adopting the National Strategy and recognizing femicide as a separate gender-based crime. It was driven by events from August 2023 protests and ongoing discussions with state institutions, highlighting the advocacy efforts and proposals submitted to the Ministry of Justice.
Members of the Women’s Network Croatia, as well as other women''s rights organizations and initiatives that are not part of the Network, were actively involved in the project implementation. Through joint planning and the execution of advocacy activities, successful cross-sector collaboration was developed.
Independent experts from the Faculty of Law at the University of Zagreb were consulted during the process of defining demands, participated in meetings, and presented introductory remarks at the thematic session of the Gender Equality Committee in the Croatian Parliament.
Key institutions included the Gender Equality Committee, which co-organized the thematic session. All of the Women’s Network Croatia’s proposals regarding the session’s topic, opening remarks, and participant invitations were accepted. The Ministry of Justice hosted a meeting about the EU Directive, where demands for a strategic approach to violence against women and the introduction of femicide as a separate crime in the Criminal Code were presented. During a protest in front of the Ministry, demands were submitted to the State Secretary, after which the government took concrete steps to introduce femicide as a distinct criminal offense. Other ministries, institutions, and gender equality bodies also participated in the thematic session and actively contributed to the discussion.
The media played a significant role, particularly through coverage of the public action, keeping the topic in the spotlight for several weeks. They also reported on the thematic session.