Young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina prove every day that they are far from passive observers – they take action, make important strides, and drive meaningful change in their communities.
November 25th is recognized as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls.
On this important day, we decided to share with you a powerful story from a group of young people in Gradačac, who took a stand against violence. The youth association “FUTURA,” through the project “Femicide Knows No Boundaries – Protect Women,” has taken a stand against this pressing issue. Through several impactful activities, they aim to inform the community and raise awareness about gender equality, violence and its consequences.
The project began with a visit to the Women’s House – Zmajevac, operated by the Swiss foundation “Naš izvor,” which provides shelter to socially vulnerable women and survivors of violence. During the visit, a short presentation introduced the project and the advocacy initiative planned for Gradačac, focusing on gender equality, improving the position of women, and providing psychological support for women in need.
Women spoke about their problems and experiences, shared their life stories, and talked about changes they would like to see in the support system.
The meeting was deeply emotional, and it meant a lot to these women that the youth association visited them and wanted to hear about their problems.
“I believe this initiative is both necessary and valuable for our society, as it aims to empower women. I see our cooperation with the Youth Association ‘FUTURA’ and participation in these activities as genuine support, as this initiative will help educate and encourage women to fight for their rights. The main issue faced by the women housed here, as well as marginalized women in general, is the lack of self-confidence and courage to confront their problems. This initiative is particularly important as it promotes resources for women, aiming to empower them and support their path to independence, especially women who have experienced violence. Unfortunately, there are many such women among our beneficiaries. Giving them a safer and better future requires working with experts—people who understand these issues and can provide professional psychosocial support—so that women can be empowered to embark on a new and safer journey,” said Subhija Smajlović, coordinator of the Women’s House – Zmajevac.
Continuing their efforts to make their voices heard in the fight against violence, the Youth Association “FUTURA” illuminated the Culture Center in Lukavac and the Clock Tower in Gračanica with orange lights, while also installing mobile art installations bearing the names of victims of violence. Using the symbolism behind the color, they drew the attention of residents and the broader public.
FUTURA also organized various interactive activities for children and young people, allowing them to share their opinions, showcase their creativity, and compete for small prizes at the final event in Gradačac, scheduled for February.
“Through various activities in two local communities, we witnessed genuine interest in this issue, as well as empathy and support from the community. This topic is very sensitive and important for everyone, especially for young people, who should be the ones driving change in the world. Through a series of activities, we wanted to honor the victims of violence—innocent individuals who lost their lives at the hands of abusers—while also encouraging others to take a stand against violence and femicide, and to offer psychological support to all women who have experienced any form of abuse,” said the “FUTURA” Youth Association.
Raising awareness about violence against women and girls, as well as gender equality, is crucial when working with young people. It helps shape their attitudes, enables them to recognize and respond to violence, and contributes to creating a safer, more equitable community.
The “FUTURA” youth association continues to work tirelessly on initiatives aimed at creating a better tomorrow for all of us.
The project “Femicide Knows No Boundaries – Protect Women” is implemented by the youth association “FUTURA” in partnership with the informal group of citizens “Gradačac” and the informal women’s lobby group “Gračanica” with the support of the Institute for Youth Development KULT.
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