Autonomous Women's House Zagreb Zagreb

Autonomous Women's House Zagreb (AWHZ) is a non-governmental organization whose mission is to provide direct support and protection to women who survived intimate partner violence (IPV) and their children. As a women-led, feminist organization, our core mission encompasses various facets: offering direct assistance and protection to women survivors, campaigning against all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG) and gender inequality, advocating for enhanced women's rights, and monitoring public policies and legislation. We run a shelter for women survivors of intimate partner violence and their children in which we provide our beneficiaries with free accommodation, psychoso... read more Autonomous Women's House Zagreb (AWHZ) is a non-governmental organization whose mission is to provide direct support and protection to women who survived intimate partner violence (IPV) and their children. As a women-led, feminist organization, our core mission encompasses various facets: offering direct assistance and protection to women survivors, campaigning against all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG) and gender inequality, advocating for enhanced women's rights, and monitoring public policies and legislation. We run a shelter for women survivors of intimate partner violence and their children in which we provide our beneficiaries with free accommodation, psychosocial support, free psychological and legal counselling, free representation at courts. Our shelter is the only autonomous shelter in Croatia, located at a secret address and therefore very safe for women and their children. We also run a women's counselling centre, providing free telephone consultations, legal and psychological counselling, along with capacity-building activities and training sessions. All our services are provided anonymously and free of charge. Our specialized support services for women and children provide us with vital information from the ground on implementation of international and international standards concerning VAWG and IPV. It is a basis for all our advocacy, campaigning and education activities and programmes. Over the years, our relentless efforts have played a pivotal role in shaping Croatian legislation pertaining to women's rights and combating VAWG. We participated in CAHVIO meetings during the drafting phase of the Istanbul Convention and advocated for its ratification since 2011. Subsequently, we diligently monitored its implementation, collaborating with stakeholders and submitting a shadow report to GREVIO. Through strategic media campaigns and grassroots outreach initiatives, we have effectively shifted public opinion and influenced institutional protocols, fostering a culture of empathy and support for survivors. Our involvement in international initiatives has further bolstered our impact, as we actively contribute to the development of global standards and leverage these frameworks to advocate for systemic change at the national level. In 2024 AWHZ was selected to become the national call centre for victims of GBV and IPV and was assigned the EU harmonized number 116016. We implemented many national and international projects, including EU-funded projects. Central to our outreach efforts is our commitment to collaboration and networking. AWHZ actively engages with a myriad of institutions and non-governmental organizations, both domestically and internationally, fostering partnerships that amplify our collective impact. As members of the Women's Network of Croatia (WNC), the PETRA network, and the Coordination of Women's Groups SEKA, we leverage collaborative platforms to advance our shared goals of gender equality and women's empowerment. Additionally, our affiliation with WAVE and participation in the European Women's Lobby (EWL) position us as influential advocates on the global stage, advocating for systemic change and amplifying the voices of survivors. We have established a long-term collaboration with decision makers with whom we organize joint events and meetings. We participate in international and EU advocacy efforts and frequently provide our input to relevant EU and UN bodies in form pf shadow reports, contributions to UPRs or similar. In essence, AWHZ embodies a multifaceted approach to addressing VAWG and advancing women's rights. Through our comprehensive support services, legislative advocacy, and grassroots mobilization efforts, we strive to create a society free from violence and discrimination, where every woman can live a life of dignity, safety, and empowerment.