The “Walk against violence against women” on Wednesday, December 4 in Mostar sent a clear and loud message of support for women and zero tolerance for any form of violence.
The “Walk against violence against women” on Wednesday, December 4 in Mostar sent a clear and loud message of support for women and zero tolerance for any form of violence, including physical, psychological, economic, sexual and digital.
None is safe until we are all safe
The walk began with a gathering at 4:00 p.m. on the Spanish Square, after which the citizens of Mostar, as a sign of the fight against violence against women, began the walk to Mepas Mall, where Abida Pehlić, president of the association, addressed the gathered on behalf of the New Way.
“We must not forget that WE play a key role in preventing violence against women. We friends, neighbors, work colleagues, all of us who know that violence happens, but we think that it is not our problem. That is the problem of all of us; as a society and as individuals, we must not allow ourselves to ignore violence,” Pehlić pointed out in her address.
Although the home should be a refuge, a place of peace and security, for many women in Bosnia and Herzegovina it has become four walls of fear. Every year, thousands of women face the violence that remains hidden behind those walls. They are invisible and ignored victims who live under threat.
“Less than two days ago, we were deeply shaken by a new case of femicide in Mostar, precisely at the time when various activities are being organized in our city, as well as throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, as part of the 16 days of activism against violence against women initiative, in order to raise awareness of all forms of violence against women, encouraged victims to report cases of violence, but also influenced potential and actual perpetrators”, emphasizes Pehlić.
“Together we can be their voice, break that wall of silence and contribute so that no woman feels alone anymore. None of them are safe until all of them are safe”, the Novi put Association announced earlier.
The devastating data is that every fifth adult woman, during her lifetime, is a victim of physical violence at least once, while every tenth woman is a victim of sexual violence.
This year, nine women were killed in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Nine women were killed in BiH in 2024. In the period between 2021 and 2022 alone, 19 women were killed in Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to data from the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council. According to OSCE data, almost half of the women in Bosnia and Herzegovina have experienced some form of violence since the age of 15.
By the way, SVE U 16 is an action organized by Novi put as part of the global initiative 16 days of activism against violence against women, which lasts from November 25 to December 10 every year. The goal is to raise awareness of the problem of violence against women and girls, promote human rights and actively work to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence.
The Novi put association was founded in Mostar in 2010 on the initiative of women who gained many years of experience in the prevention and fight against human trafficking and various forms of domestic violence, child pornography and pedophilia, and in direct work with potential and actual victims of violence.
In addition to the above activities, Novi put also actively works on educating marginalized and vulnerable categories and promoting gender equality and human rights in cooperation with all relevant institutions.
Free assistance and psychological support for victims of violence and human trafficking
If you are a victim of gender-based violence or human trafficking and need psychological support, you can contact the e-mail address info@newroadbih.org or call 060 3155663 to make an appointment at the free counseling center of this association.
Source: bljesak.info
