SOIH – The Network of Women with Disabilities has been continuously implementing the “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” Campaign since 2010 with the aim of sensitizing and raising public awareness of the high incidence and need to prevent violence against women and girls, especially against women and girls with disabilities. The campaign is implemented every year from November 25 – International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women to December 10 – International Human Rights Day. This year's impressive results were presented at the Round Table held on December 12, 2023, which also marked International Human Rights Day.

The round table was opened by Marica Mirić, president of the Croatian Association of Persons with Disabilities – SOIH, and welcomed everyone present, especially Ivana Brešan from the Sector for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities of the City of Zagreb and Anja Belić, advisor to the Ombudsperson for Gender Equality. She introduced the importance of respecting human rights and how, despite continuous activities to prevent violence, it is not decreasing.

For this reason, it is important to react to any violence and report it. "The population of people with disabilities is not less affected by violence, on the contrary, violence against people with disabilities is more subtle and perfidious," the president emphasized. SOIH - Network of Women with Disabilities has made great progress and progress in raising awareness and recognizing violence against both women with disabilities and men with disabilities. She called for solidarity as a key link in human support, which is also emphasized in the National Plan for Equalization of Opportunities for People with Disabilities for the period from 2021 to 2027.

Psychologist at SOIH's counseling center for victims of violence, Dragana Budimir, held a training session on "Domestic Violence - Types and Manifestations". She emphasized that women with disabilities are doubly discriminated against - on the basis of gender and disability. The data from the SOIH SOS hotline for women with disabilities who are victims of violence was particularly highlighted.

Data collected in 2023 indicate the dominant presence of psychological violence, followed by physical, economic and sexual violence. As a form of violence that is still insufficiently recognized, institutional violence appears, especially in the healthcare system, the occurrence of which needs to be raised. The SOIH research has shown that "doing nothing" is a special form of violence that is important to point out. Although the Republic of Croatia has achieved positive progress by joining international conventions and ratifying the Istanbul Convention, a continuous and responsible strong social response to any violence is needed.

With the aim of encouraging reflection on the seriousness of violence against women with disabilities, SOIH's film NO and NO to Domestic Violence was shown, which highlighted the issue of domestic and partner violence, as well as the increased risk and disadvantageous position in which women with disabilities, victims of violence, find themselves.

The results of this year's "16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence" Campaign were presented by the coordinator of SOIH-Network of Women with Disabilities, Martina Mokus. SOIH-Network of Women with Disabilities activists from 15 cities in the Republic of Croatia participated in the implementation of the Campaign, distributing white ribbons and leaflets in public places.

In the final grades of high schools, training sessions were held where young men were given white ribbons. In kindergartens, postcards were distributed that children take home to their fathers, who sign "NO" to violence against women. In addition, activists have contributed to sensitizing and raising awareness of the public and citizens about the issue of violence against women with disabilities by organizing trainings, workshops, round tables and other activities.

One of the specific goals of the Campaign was to encourage the Government of the Republic of Croatia to ensure accessible shelters for women with disabilities who are victims of violence, about which SOIH published a press release. The release emphasized the need to ensure architectural, construction, communication and orientation accessibility of shelters. According to the recommendations of GREVIO, an independent body for monitoring the implementation of the Istanbul Convention, it is necessary to keep in mind all types of violence and take measures in accordance with the Convention.

SOIH President Marica Mirić gave an overview of the achievements through the "75 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights". She emphasized that the adoption of the Declaration marks a turning point in the understanding of human rights and the commitment of the international community to their protection. The Declaration represents a fundamental document for the adoption of a number of other international conventions, and its importance is reflected in its universality, inherentness and inalienability.

She pointed out that human rights are increasingly under threat and that it is necessary to work together to create appropriate protection mechanisms. Despite its universality, the Declaration does not address inequality and discrimination against persons with disabilities, which is stipulated in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. She pointed out that the global UN Agenda for Sustainable Development by 2030 contains clear links to the articles of the Convention in its goals and includes persons with disabilities.

After the discussion, it was concluded that it is necessary to more strongly advocate for the implementation of the GREVIO group's recommendations and to encourage decision-makers, institutions, organizations and citizens to reflect and take further action in the fight against violence against women, using the Istanbul Convention as a powerful tool.

Taken from www.soih.hr