Network of non-government women’s organizations

From Women’s NGOs to the University

With the democratic changes in Vojvodina (2000), the WSR began a variety of activities aimed at promoting the academic program of women’s studies. In addition to the two-year educational program, we simultaneously organized several important initiatives in the city of Novi Sad, contributing to the dissemination of knowledge about the need for such studies. During 2000 and the following years, various women’s non-governmental organizations were established (more details in the text by Veronika Mitro, 2005, in the book First Five Years, Institute for Gender Equality). 

Here we present a part of the history of the formation of the Network of Women’s Non-Governmental Organizations in Vojvodina and the promotion of women’s studies issues within the academic community of the University of Novi Sad. Both initiatives were carried out with significant support from the then Secretary of the Secretariat for Labor, Employment, and Gender Equality, Ms. Jelica Rajačić Čapaković. (more details in the book by Svenka Saviċ, 2008, Jelica Rajačiċ Čapakoviċ).

The Novi Sad Women’s Network (NSWN) has been part of the women’s movement at the regional, national, and global levels; it supports democratic processes that advance gender equality and equal opportunity policies, promotes peace and non-violence, and advocates for the elimination of all forms of discrimination in society. The NSWN has been active continuously since 2000, organizing various initiatives and campaigns aimed at achieving a society of equal opportunities. Formally, in 2004, the NSWN project received support from the Commission for Gender Equality and the Improvement of the Status of Women of the Novi Sad City Assembly, as well as from the Executive Board of the City of Novi Sad. (more information about the programmatic Women City Rhythm: Vojvodina women – Regional Women Initiative, 2004)

Prof. emerita Svenka Savić