In early June, at the annual conference of the FemCities network, which took place in Athens, we presented activities in the field of preventing violence against women, which, in addition to supporting non-governmental organizations, also include numerous awareness-raising activities.

The City of Ljubljana has been a member of the European network FemCities, which addresses gender equality, human rights and other issues related to women's equality in public life, since 2015. In 2023, we also organized the FemCities conference on the topic of sexism, held in Ljubljana.

We condemn all types of violence

The theme of this year's conference was gender-based violence and strategies to respond to this problem. Gender-based violence is any form of violence (physical, psychological, financial, online, sexual) based on gender identity. Violence is both a cause and a consequence of gender inequality. Although both women and men can be victims, the vast majority of victims are women, which is reflected in many femicides, rapes, harassment or online abuse.

Sharing good practices

At the conference, representatives of cities, research institutions and NGOs presented the activities they carry out in their cities. Various programs and support centres for women – victims of violence and programs for perpetrators of violence – were presented. We also participated in a panel discussion on the report on the implementation of the Istanbul Convention GREVIO.

Ljubljana – European Capital of Inclusion and Diversity

The City of Ljubljana has been active in the field of preventing violence against women for many years, for which we received the title of European Capital of Inclusion and Diversity last year.

Ljubljana is recognized as a city that respects diversity, includes all vulnerable groups and actively creates a discrimination-free society. The award especially recognized our efforts and activities in preventing violence against women. In the City of Ljubljana, we have been supporting the efforts of non-governmental organizations for many years, as they significantly contribute to raising awareness as well as recognizing and reducing violence against women. With public tenders, we co-finance various programs aimed at both women and children, victims of violence (e.g., safe accommodation, counselling centres) and perpetrators of violence (workshops), and we are actively involved in various awareness-raising activities.