Gender Equality Committee session dedicated to women survivors of violence

The Croatian Parliament’s Committee for Gender Equality held a thematic session focused on the specific needs of women who have survived domestic violence. The meeting was convened at the initiative of the Women’s Network of Croatia. During the proceedings, participants emphasized that safe housing, employment, continuous healthcare, and timely kindergarten enrollment for children must remain accessible to women leaving abusive relationships. Speakers highlighted a significant gap between rights guaranteed by law and their actual availability in daily life. Committee Chairwoman Marija Lugarić noted that the session followed conclusions drawn from a previous meeting held in September. She described the period following departure from a violent relationship as particularly demanding. Women often face simultaneous pressures to secure housing, generate income, care for children, and regain control over their lives. Lugarić stated that protection should not depend on the county where a woman resides, her financial means, or her ability to navigate administrative procedures alone. Representatives from civil society organizations and competent state institutions attended the session alongside committee members. Sanja Juras of the Women’s Network of Croatia presented an analysis regarding the accessibility of rights and services. This study was based on questionnaires sent to local and regional self-government units, as well as organizations providing specialized support. Although the data were not statistically representative of all of Croatia, they indicated barriers requiring targeted action. Results showed that 26 units lacked a special procedure for quickly registering a woman’s residence after she leaves a violent environment. Access to benefits, kindergarten spots, and other services can hinge on this registered address. Additionally, half of the 62 units responding to questions about economic empowerment did not offer such measures. Furthermore, 43 out of 63 units did not indicate the availability of housing measures. Juras argued that employment cannot be separated from access to kindergartens, safe housing, and professional help. The Network requested continuity of rights after relocation, protection of location data for women and children, long-term housing solutions, and stable multi-year funding for shelters and counseling centers. Dorotea Susak from the Centre for Women’s Studies stressed that support must be available even before a decision is made to report violence. She pointed to the need for timely risk assessment, child protection, and prevention of further victimization within institutions. Sanja Batinjan from the HERA association in Krizevci described the concrete consequences of uncoordinated procedures. She warned about the necessity of comprehensive safety assessments when deciding on children’s contact with perpetrators. Batinjan also cited unclear jurisdictions regarding residence registration, health insurance, and kindergarten enrollment. She noted that administrative hurdles consume time that should be dedicated to recovering from trauma. Lorena Zec from the SOS Rijeka association highlighted how high rent, discrimination in the housing market, and lengthy procedures make finding a safe home difficult. She drew attention to costs that women must bear individually when seeking accommodation. These include the risk of disclosing sensitive information to potential landlords. Snjezana Vasiljevic, a regular professor at the Zagreb Faculty of Law, outlined the broader legal framework. She asserted that state responsibility extends beyond criminal prosecution and protective measures. It encompasses the conditions under which a woman can live safely and support herself and her children. Vasiljevic identified fragmented legislation, complex procedures, and territorial inequalities as key problems. She also noted additional barriers faced by women with disabilities, Roma national minority members, and older women. She warned that protection remains fragile if a woman simultaneously lacks housing, income, and accessible health or social care. The discussion specifically addressed the sustainability of specialized support systems. Participants agreed that current gaps require coordinated state action to ensure that leaving violence does not lead to new forms of vulnerability. The committee will consider these findings in future legislative reviews. The presence of both academic experts and frontline NGO representatives underscored the multidimensional nature of the challenges facing survivors. The focus remained on practical implementation rather than theoretical rights. Specific demands included standardized procedures across all counties to prevent geographic disparities in service delivery. The session concluded with a call for immediate policy adjustments to align legal guarantees with real-world accessibility for vulnerable populations.