In 2024, the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Novi Sad joined the global “16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women” campaign. This worldwide initiative runs each year from November 25 to December 10, covering important dates that link women, violence, and human rights: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25), World AIDS Day (December 1), International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3), the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre (December 6), and International Human Rights Day (December 10).
As part of the campaign, under the UNIGEM project organized by the TPO Foundation from Sarajevo, a workshop titled “Why Does the Fight Against Violence Towards Women Help Men?” was held on November 25, 2024. The workshop was led by Miloš Đajić, an MA and expert associate at the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad, an activist and feminist, and one of the founders of the “Don’t Just Watch. Act!” initiative, as well as the founder of the Center for Modern Skills.
Through group activities, students explored the topic and discussed whether violence is exclusive to men, if similar issues of violence exist in other parts of the world, and why patriarchal behavior models are harmful to men.
Additionally, as part of the campaign, the Faculty of Philosophy hosted a panel discussion on December 3, 2024, on the topic “How Can We Improve Institutional Responses in Cases of Domestic Violence?” The discussion was moderated by journalist Tamara Srijemac, with speakers Olivera Pejak Prokeš, a judge at the Higher Appellate Court in Novi Sad and one of the founders of the Women’s Judiciary Center; Kosana Becker, program director at “FemPlatz” and a consultant on anti-discrimination and gender equality; and Snežana Prelević, an associate professor at the High School of Business Economics and Entrepreneurship.
The panelists explored key questions, including what prevents relevant institutions from more effectively addressing gender-based violence, what the standard of due diligence means, why it’s crucial to establish a special mechanism for monitoring and analyzing femicide cases, and what it would mean to recognize femicide as a separate criminal offense.
