In communities where violence is still spoken about in whispers, if at all, creating a safe space for conversation is often the first real step towards change. Violence doesn’t disappear when we don’t talk about it; silence actually allows it to continue. The need to be vocal and call out violence led to the initiative “Girls Are Not Targets!”, implemented in the municipality of Hadžići.
The initiative took the form of a series of workshops for women and girls, focused on recognising different forms of violence, understanding how to respond, and knowing where and how to report it. Just as importantly, the workshops created a space where participants could talk openly about personal experiences, fears, and questions that are usually left unspoken.
“The idea was not just to share information, but to help girls and young women feel safer and more confident,” says Bakir Neradin from the Association for Cooperation and Community Development, who led the initiative. “We wanted them to recognise violence and know what to do, but also to understand that violence is not a private issue and that support does exist.”
A particular focus was placed on strengthening personal skills, enabling young participants to make informed decisions and respond in situations that threaten their safety. Using practical examples and discussion, the workshops helped participants develop critical thinking, communication skills, and the ability to recognise high-risk situations, and helped them gain a clearer understanding of personal boundaries.
“When young women realise they have the right to say ‘no’, the right to seek help, and the right to be protected, it changes how they see themselves and their surroundings,” Neradin explains. “Knowledge gives them strength, but it also brings them together.”
One of the most important outcomes of the initiative was the peer support fostered among participants. During the workshops, women and girls were encouraged to share experiences and pass on what they learned to their families, friends, and wider community. In this way, the initiative helped build a more informed, connected, and resilient group of young people in Hadžići – one where violence is increasingly recognised and openly discussed.
The initiative was also shaped by the Training for Expert Associates for Youth Work delivered by the Institute for Youth Development KULT. Through this training, the initiative’s lead gained practical knowledge of youth work, non-formal education methods, and approaches that support the creation of safe and encouraging spaces for learning and discussion.
“The training gave me concrete tools, from facilitation and planning to evaluating activities,” says Neradin. “It helped me adapt the content to the group and make sure the workshops were interactive, relevant, and useful in everyday life.”
That the initiative has led to lasting change is evident in what followed. Those working with young people report that girls who took part are now more open to conversation, more willing to ask questions, and more likely to seek advice. The increased interest in topics such as violence and personal safety highlights just how important it is to provide young people with spaces where they feel heard and safe.
“It matters that the girls kept coming back, talking, and asking questions,” Neradin adds. “That shows trust was built and trust is often the hardest, but most important, thing to establish.”
The initiative once again confirms that involving young people in designing and delivering activities that address violence has a long-term impact. When young people are given knowledge, support, and the opportunity to act, they become drivers of change in their communities.
Neradin’s message to young people is simple but powerful: “It’s time for young people to speak. It’s time to openly talk about what affects us and what we can change. That’s how we build communities where young people feel safe, valued, and included.”
Orange Day – a symbol of support
Bosnia and Herzegovina was the sixth country to ratify the Istanbul Convention, the key international document for preventing violence against women and domestic violence. The Convention defines violence against women as a violation of human rights and a form of discrimination, and obliges states to act through prevention, protection, and education.
The Institute for Youth Development KULT has been highlighting the issue of violence against women and girls for years and celebrates Orange Day on the 25th of every month. Through workshops, campaigns, and local initiatives, the Institute raises awareness about reporting violence, supporting survivors, and building a society with respect as a core value.
At first glance, workshops like these may seem like a small step. Yet it is often in classrooms, during workshops, and discussion circles that young people first learn about boundaries, trust, and asking for help. They learn that violence is not something to be endured in silence, and that there are people and institutions ready to support them.
The experience of “Girls Are Not Targets!” shows that the fight against violence does not begin with large campaigns, but with knowledge, conversation, and the courage to recognise the problem. When young people are given information, tools, and space to speak, they help create communities where violence has no place and where solidarity becomes part of everyday life.
