Women’s Rights in Croatia: The Fight for Justice and Support

In Croatia, women’s rights organizations have been at the forefront of advocating for gender equality, justice, and support for victims of violence and exploitation. One such organization, the Centre for Women War Victims – ROSA, has been actively working since 1992 to provide assistance to women affected by war, sexual violence, trafficking, and other forms of gender-based oppression. Their work highlights both the challenges and progress made in the field of women’s rights in Croatia, particularly in the context of migration, trafficking, and institutional support.

ROSA’s mission and services

ROSA began its journey during the Balkan wars, offering support to women who were victims of wartime sexual violence. Over the years, the organisation’s scope has expanded to assist survivors of trafficking, migrant and asylum-seeking women, and women facing labour and sexual exploitation. The organization provides free legal and psychological assistance, court accompaniment, and practical aid, such as securing accommodation and employment.

Addressing the challenges of migrant women

One of ROSA’s ongoing interventions, under the umbrella of the European Union funded “Catalyst of Change” project, focuses on advocacy and monitoring of violence against migrant and asylum-seeking women, with a specific emphasis on human trafficking for sexual exploitation. Despite Croatia’s legal framework, many migrant women remain at risk due to a lack of access to information and support networks.

To bridge this gap, ROSA has successfully introduced informational materials in multiple languages, including Croatian, English, French, Ukrainian, Nepali, and Arabic. These materials, distributed in reception centres and public spaces, inform women about their rights and the services available to them. The organization has also worked with Croatian police and asylum reception centres to ensure that awareness materials reach the intended audience, marking a significant step in breaking barriers between institutions and victims.

Ana Vrgoč from ROSA highlighted the importance of this outreach, underscoring the tangible impact of raising awareness and providing accessible resources to vulnerable communities.

“When we posted those leaflets, we saw an increase in calls from women looking for information and support. Some were simply inquiring, but others were reaching out as survivors of violence. It was good to see these women were able to reach the support services they needed through the information provided in our leaflets.”

The impact of ROSA’s work

The organization’s efforts have already led to an increase in calls to their helpline from women seeking information and support. Many of these calls come from women who have suffered sexual or labour exploitation, demonstrating the effectiveness of raising awareness. However, Vrgoc acknowledged the need for further outreach, particularly in reaching migrant women who have not yet integrated into Croatian society.

To address these challenges, ROSA has established support groups where migrant women can gather, socialize, and discuss their experiences in a safe space. A trained mediator who speaks Arabic helps facilitate communication and ensures that these women can access necessary resources. Furthermore, the organization arranges therapeutic retreats on the island of Brač, providing survivors with an opportunity for healing and empowerment.

Legislative and institutional challenges

Despite its success, ROSA faces numerous challenges in its advocacy work. One major issue is the secondary victimization of survivors, particularly those seeking legal recognition as victims of wartime sexual violence. Many women must undergo lengthy and traumatic bureaucratic procedures to receive official status and compensation from the Ministry of War Veterans. ROSA’s legal team actively fights against these injustices, ensuring that survivors receive the recognition and support they deserve.

Collaborations and future goals

One of ROSA’s key activities includes advocacy for policy changes and legal reforms that strengthen protections for vulnerable women. They work closely with national and international institutions, such as the European migrant network and GRETA (the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings), to improve legal frameworks and support systems for survivors. The organisation is also part of several international networks, including the European Women’s Lobby and the Brussels Call, which advocate for stronger policies against gender-based violence across Europe. Through these collaborations, the organization continues to raise awareness and push for policy changes that protect women’s rights at both national and international levels.

Looking forward, ROSA aims to increase its visibility and expand its outreach, particularly to marginalized communities. The organization seeks better strategies to inform migrant women about their rights and available resources. Additionally, ROSA continues to work with other women’s rights groups in different countries, particularly in regions facing similar challenges, such as Ukraine. Their recent cooperation with Ukrainian activists aims to create a legal framework for recognizing and compensating victims of sexual violence in conflict settings.

How dedicated activism leads to meaningful change

The fight for women’s rights in Croatia is ongoing, and organizations like ROSA are instrumental in providing support, advocating for policy changes, and raising awareness. While progress has been made, there is still much work to be done, particularly in protecting migrant women, combating trafficking, and ensuring survivors of violence receive justice. By continuing to work with institutions, international organizations, and grassroots movements, ROSA remains a beacon of hope for women in Croatia and beyond, proving that dedicated activism can lead to meaningful change.

“Centre for Women War Victims – ROSA” is one of our grassroots partners in the European Union funded “Catalyst of Change: Supporting a Vibrant Civil Society in Europe” project, aimed at allowing civil society organisations working on women’s rights, environmental justice, and anti-corruption, in Croatia, Bulgaria, Portugal, Romania and Slovenia, to be more effective in the promotion of EU values, be more resilient to threats, and be able to quickly respond to concerning trends affecting space for civil society in their respective countries.

ROSA continues to provide life-saving assistance to women affected by violence, trafficking, and exploitation. You can support them directly:

• Facebook – Centre ROSA
• Instagram – @centarrosa
• YouTube – Centre ROSA
• X (Twitter) – @CentarROSA