President Milanović Meets with Representatives of “Safe Place for Women“ Initiative

On the eve of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women observed on 25 November, the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović met with representatives of the “Safe Place for Women” Initiative. This Initiative brings together Croatian cities and counties that have accepted the Resolution of European socialists in the European Committee of the Regions calling on local governments to declare their cities and regions safe for women.

To date in Croatia the Resolution has been accepted by Zagreb, Rijeka, Krapina-Zagorje County, a large number of cities and municipalities from that County totalling 32 units of local and regional self-governments. The Initiative was presented to President Milanović at the meeting by the Krapina-Zagorje County prefect Željko Kolar, the mayor of Pregrada and representative in the European Committee of the Regions Marko Vešligaj, the deputy mayor of Rijeka Sandra Krpan, Zagreb City Assembly member Davorka Moslavac Forjan, Zabok City counsellor Valentina Đurek, Oroslavje Town counsellor Lucija Grabušić and the Initiative’s Communications adviser Maruša Stamać.

The counties, cities and municipalities that have accepted the Resolution have thus committed to implement 12 concrete measures within their purview such as reacting and offering assistance to women victims of physical violence, zero tolerance for violence on social media, implementation of educational content and work on the prevention of violence against women and girls. Their goal is to make their counties, cities and municipalities a safe place for women. They informed President Milanović on the activities they carry out locally in order to achieve that goal.

President Milanović endorsed the “Safe Place for Women” Initiative, and its representatives called on all other units of local and regional self-governments to adopt the aforementioned Resolution in order to make every part of the Republic of Croatia safe for women.

Alongside President Milanović was the Adviser to the President for Civil Society and Human Rights Melita Mulić.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Marko Beljan