A coordinator of the SOS service of the Organization …IZ KRUGA – VOJVODINA, Ivana Zelic, spoke at the Autonomous Women’s Festival at a tribune – Feminist and other Collectives Combating Violence against Women.
Autonomous Women’s Festival took place at the bookstore Bulevar Books, from 17th to 19th September 2021. It was supported by the foundation Reconstruction Women’s Fund. The festival originated as the liaison of activists from Novi Sad that work in different areas fighting violence against women. The festival intends to create a stimulating surrounding for nonviolence and start a widely spread dialogue in the community to improve the position of women and gender equality.
The tribune Feminist and other Collectives Combating Violence against Women took place on the second day of the festival, 18th September 2021. at 18:30. It emphasized the significance of informal collectives and feminist organizations of the civil society dealing with women’s issues and prevention of violence.
Except Ivana Zelic, at the tribune also spoke Sadija Gicic, social welfare worker and former SOS service consultant at the Autonomous Women’s center and Masa Poznanovic, psychologist at the SOS Women’s Center.
Masa Poznanovic, Ivana Zelic and Sadija Gicic
Ivana Zelic talked about availability of services for women with disabilities, stepping stones when giving support and the conduct of the institutions when violence is reported. Women with disabilities suffer from all types of violence like women without them, additionally facing stereotypes, prejudice and baseless assumptions about disability.
-To understand the position of women with disabilities, we need to work on sensitization of citizens and the professionals, women with disabilities address for support. Media can play a significant role in achieving this goal. Avoiding sensational reporting can contribute to the education of the public and motivate women to report – says Ivana Zelic.
During the tribune, other women’s collectives were introduced via video link, and those are Organization Fenomena from Kraljevo, a group Newspaper Women against Violence and a page Women’s Stuff.
Femina” from Kraljevo, a group Newspaper Women against Violence, and a page Women’s Stuff. Milica Kravic Aksamit moderated the tribune.
Foto: Mladen Kekic
