As part of the global campaign “16 days of activism against violence against women”, the Center for Girls from Nis and FeMin Collective from Požarevac organized a street performance “Women's Cemetery” in Tabačka Bazaar in Požarevac.

The performance is designed as a powerful reminder of the tragic fates of women who lost their lives as a result of violence. During the performance, several girls and women stood motionless, dressed in black, while papers with the names of women killed since the beginning of this year were pasted on their bodies. In the background, from the speakers, echoed the names of women who lost their lives in family-partner violence from 2010 to the present. This poignant display represented a kind of living monument to women victims of femicide. Activists have been performing this performance since 2019, with the aim of raising awareness of femicide and empowering women to seek help.

This year's celebration of the campaign “16 days of activism against violence against women” was welcomed with 17 femicides in Serbia, while last year ended with 28. These alarming data highlight the urgency of action to combat violence against women and the need to recognize femicide through laws as soon as possible.

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The performance “Women's Cemetery” calls for reflection and action, while transmitting a message of solidarity and support to all women facing violence. The organizers believe that raising awareness, but also the timely response of institutions is key to creating a society in which violence against women will not be tolerated, and that the empowerment of women is a step towards a safer and fairer society.

This project is supported through the Human Rights Leaders Programme, which Hartefact implements with the financial support of the European Union. The programme, which runs from 2024 to 2026, addresses issues of social exclusion, violence, and the position of marginalised and minority groups in Serbia, fostering a democratic political culture and respect for human rights. Through targeted interventions, the project aims to increase practical understanding of the challenges faced by human rights defenders, as well as critically examine patterns of violence against those representing marginalized communities.

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