SOS Phone Line Celebrates 20th Anniversary
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The SOS Phone for Women and Children Victims of Domestic Violence celebrated yesterday its 20th anniversary. It expressed its gratitude to all activists that took part in its creation and work.
The SOS Phone was created on March 3, 1988 by the Trešnjevka Women Group, the first of its kind in Eastern Europe. In 1989, the SOS Phone was registered as the Help for Women NOW women association. A huge number of activists that later moved on to establish their own women groups and initiatives. In 1990, the activists of the SOS Phone created the first Shelter for Women Victims of Domestic Violence and used squatting to secure the necessary facilities. In 1992, the shelter separated and was registered under the name Autonomous Women House Zagreb. During its years of existence, the SOS Phone participated in numerous joint activities with similar initiatives and other women organizations in former Yugoslavia. Cooperation, solidarity and exchange of experience were the foundations of feminist policy of solidarity during the wars and nationalist exclusion. However, in spite of all its activities, the autonomous women movement didn’t achieve great influence in the society, due to a number of political, ideological and tradition-related reasons. |
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