/ March 08, 2016 / PRESS RELEASE – SOS HOTLINE VRANJE.
Clara Zetkin, a German revolutionary in 1910 suggested the women of all countries to celebrate their day on an annual basis on March 8 as a symbol of the struggle for equal voting rights, the protection of women at work, the elimination of trafficking, and the protection of children.
These days, constrained euphoria is felt everywhere in the air. Suddenly, women are the center of attention and ones did not heard for years saying what bothers them about their position in society witnessed only one day – on March 8.
The result of inequality of women in society is violence against women as a growing problem. Specialized SOS Hotline Vranje (to help women victims of domestic violence in partner relationships) recorded an increase in the number of calls in 2015 to 224 comparing to 115 in 2014; a total of 163 women were contacted SOS telephone in 2015 while 64 in 2014.
According to PD Vranje there were 1,255 reported cases of domestic violence in 2015 while a total of 1,233 reports in 2014 . Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in 2015 recorded 296 persons for crimes of domestic violence compared to 253 people registered in 2014.
Violence against women is evidently in the rise! In addition to official statistics, every day we have witnessed some form of violence by men against women. The question is how many cases of violence against women remains beyond the public eye. Behind the walls.
Vranje is the city where all this does not exist, at least according to the statements of certain political leaders! Who, instead of seriously develop and support programs for the prevention of violence against women and improving the social status of women, persistently spread information about existing welfare of women.
Therefore, SOS Hotline Vranje on the occasion of Women’s Day sharply react and ask:
– Politicians in Vranje not to abuse their political power (especially during the election campaign) and do not misuse the status of women in Vranje for their own political goals,
– Every political party in Vranje immediately to reorganize its committees and party organs and to provide equal voting rights and equal status of its members – political parties to comply with the law on the guaranteed minimum number of women in decision-making positions,
– To return dignity to women victims of domestic violence located in the Safe house in Vranje, in terms of lodging procedures (now women are firsty placed in the Shelter and then relocated to the Safe House) and in terms of treatment and lack of professionalism in the work and behavior of staff. The city of Vranje to take responsibility for the unprofessional care and treatment of victims of family and domestic violence, which is a direct disrespect to the Convention of the Council of Europe.
– The Mayor of Vranje Zoran Antic to stop counting the women-victims of domestic violence in the Safe house and to stop the practice of spreading his “concerns” in a way that „he can not force husbands to beat their wives“ what encourages violence and spreading hatred of the environment for the victims of domestic violence in society.
FOR THIS OCCASION OF MARCH 8, 2016, WE ARE ASKING ZERO TOLERANCE FOR VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIFE FROM ALL LOCAL ACTORS OF POLITICAL AND SOCIAL LIFE!!!