Nada Topić Peratović
Nada Topić Peratović is a solicitor and a feminist and humanist activist. In 2011, she founded the humanist and feminist association Center for Civil Courage in Croatia, which promotes humanism, secularism, civil courage, and feminism in strengthening and protecting human rights, especially women’s rights, and equality, and in critically dealing with the past.
In 2014, she wrote the humanist book "Humanism for Children" which was translated into 5 languages. She was a representative of various non-religious organizations at the UN in Geneva, the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, and meetings of the European Parliament in Brussels. From 2017 to 2020, she was a member of the board of directors of the Swiss Association of Free Thinkers and the European Humanist Federation (EHF).
In September 2020, she founded the women's network “Brave Sisters” which has been actively supporting women who decide to terminate their pregnancy, providing them with all the essential information, moral support, and accompaniment to the hospitals.
One of her latest goals is to actively support the feminist empowerment of young humanist women and their association in regional and international sisterhoods.
She lives and writes in Zurich.
Gender Equality Statistics in Croatia
91.7% of legal frameworks that promote, enforce and monitor gender equality under the SDG indicator, with a focus on violence against women, are in place. The adolescentbirth rate is 8.6 per 1,000 women aged 15–19 as of 2018, down from 9.1 per 1,000 in 2017. As of February 2021, 31.1% of seats in parliament were held by women.
In 2018, 4% of women aged 15-49 years reported that they had been subject to physical and/or sexual violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months.
As of December 2020, only 47.5% of indicators needed to monitor the SDGs from a gender perspective were available, with gaps in key areas, in particular: unpaid care and domestic work. In addition, many areas – such as gender and poverty, physical and sexual harassment, women’s access to assets (including land), and gender and the environment – lack comparable methodologies for regular monitoring. Closing these gender data gaps is essential for achieving gender-related SDG commitments in Croatia.
Interview with Nada Peratović (24 January 2024)
This interview was organized and conducted by Dr. Juan Carlos Sola-Corbacho. Hannah Bufford, Jack Lockensgard, Ella Fridrich, Christiauna Martin, and Lilly Garcia contributed with their insightful questions. All of them were members of the Honors College and attended the "Cultural Contact Zones: Europe" class, which was offered by the John V. Roach Honors College in the Spring 2024 semester.
Hannah Bufford
In Texas and other states with very conservative leadership, laws have been created to punish doctors and other people who help a woman end her pregnancy. Are women in Croatia facing similar obstacles?
Nada Peratović
No. In Croatia, there are no punishments for doctors who help women end pregnancies. We are aware of what's happening in the U.S., and we hope not all of those changes reach us.
Jack Lockensgard
What legislation exists currently in Croatia regarding abortion? How does it compare with other European nations?
Nada Peratović
In the European Union or Europe, nearly every country has legalized abortion on request or on broad social grounds, with the exception of six countries. Two of them, Poland and Malta, are particularly notable for their abortion bans. In the last 2-3 years, Poland has increasingly restricted abortion rights, culminating in a complete ban. Malta, an island in the Mediterranean Sea, also has a ban in place. Other small states such as Andorra, Liechtenstein, and San Marino have restrictions, but Poland and Malta are the most renowned. Nevertheless, the majority of European states have legalized abortion, and most allow it on a woman's request. This typically applies until the end of the first trimester, sometimes even until the end of the second trimester. For example, in the UK, it's until the 24th week, the Netherlands allows till the 22nd week, Germany till the 12th week, and Austria until the 14th week.
In Croatia, abortion is legal up to the 12th week of pregnancy without any conditions. If the woman's health or life is at risk, the fetus has severe malformations, or the pregnancy results from a criminal offence like rape or incest, abortion is allowed beyond the 12th week with permission from a commission. This law is from 1978, a time when the country was part of Socialist Yugoslavia. The law is named "The Law on Health Measures for the Exercise of the Right to Free Decision on Childbirth," emphasizing a woman's right to reproductive freedom. For a period, this right wasn't questioned. However, with the rise of nationalism and religious conservatism in the 90s, stigmatization of abortion increased. The Catholic Church regained power and aligned with the government, promoting anti-abortion beliefs. This has led to the stigmatization of women's choices, especially abortion. While abortion is legal, women are often afraid or hesitant to ask for one due to societal stigmatization. Despite a 2017 verdict from the Croatian constitutional court confirming the constitutionality of the 1978 law, the stigmatization in the media, churches, and schools is so strong that women are hesitant to seek an abortion.
Ella Fridrich
Do you think that there should be more focus on providing alternatives to abortion, such as comprehensive sex education and accessible contraception?
Nada Peratović
I fully agree. Regrettably, the same conservative groups in Croatia that oppose abortion also resist sex education and contraceptives. This lack of comprehensive sex education is a significant issue, leaving young people unprepared to manage their reproductive and sexual health.
Comprehensive sexual education is essential as it provides young individuals with the knowledge to handle their reproductive health responsibly. However, conservative groups have consistently dismissed efforts to implement such education. Some pharmacists even refuse to provide contraceptives to young people due to religious beliefs. We will discuss this more in-depth later.
Sexual education should not only be technical but also foster respect for each other and understanding of pornography's harmful effects. Unfortunately, this is not the reality in Croatia. Instead, sexual education is limited to sporadic lessons within biology classes, often left to the teacher's discretion. This situation underscores the necessity of organizations like ours that support women.
Dr. Juan Carlos Sola-Corbacho
So, from what I understand, your organization isn't solely focused on abortion. Above all, it's about women and their right to make decisions about their own bodies. Is that correct?
Nada Peratović
Yes.
Jack Lokensgard
Why is what you’re doing specifically necessary and important for women in Croatia?
Nada Peratović
Okay, let me explain why our organization exists. We were formed from a feminist perspective, born out of anger. I was upset because during the COVID-19 pandemic, attempts were being made to use the crisis as a pretext to restrict women's rights, particularly around access to abortions.
Despite having proper legislation and rights in place, the reality in Croatia is quite different. Women fear to admit they're pregnant and want an abortion due to the stigmatization surrounding abortion. They're unsure of how their friends, neighbors, and family members will react. They fear being persuaded not to go through with the abortion.
A common fear is going to a hospital for an abortion consultation, and falsely being told that they do not perform such procedures, when in fact they do. Women often have negative experiences at hospitals, where healthcare professionals attempt to dissuade them from having an abortion, asking them to reconsider or accusing them of committing murder.
Interestingly, 60% of the gynecologists in state hospitals in Croatia refuse to perform abortions on religious grounds. For example, in a hospital in Split on the Croatian coast, out of 45 gynecologists, 44 refuse to perform abortions for religious reasons. Only one is willing to do so.
In such an environment, women constantly hear that abortion is wrong. They see people praying in front of hospitals, hear arguments for life, and even face persuasion from gynecologists who use religious holidays as a reason to dissuade them from getting an abortion. This is the reality that many women face, which leaves them feeling scared and alone.
This is why our organization was formed. We decided that enough was enough. We couldn't wait for politicians to change these practices. We wanted to help women as soon as possible. We were established in 2020 with the goal of supporting women. They could reach out to us for information and moral support. We're there for them, sometimes talking with them until midnight. We accompany them to the hospital, reminding them of their right to an abortion and that they don't need to feel guilty.
Nobody has the right to judge them or patronize them. Pregnancy is a natural process, but it's not without danger. A woman should have the right to decide whether she wants to continue her pregnancy, whether she wants to raise a child for the next 20 years, and whether she feels ready to do so.
We provide women with the information they need, such as how long they have the right to get an abortion and where they can go. We listen to them without judgment, regardless of their decision. Even if they ultimately decide to keep the pregnancy, we're there to support them. We provide a safe space where they can express their thoughts and feelings without fear of condemnation.
From 2020 to 2023, we've been able to support over six hundreds of women, and we've expanded our network of Brave Sisters who help women in need, even accompanying them to other countries for an abortion if necessary. We aim to make their experience less stressful and provide them with the support they need.
Dr. Juan Carlos Sola-Corbacho
What are the most common stereotypes about women in Croatia?
Nada Peratović
This was a question I didn't know how to answer initially. These stereotypes are not regional, but rather, I believe they're more global today. In Croatia, for instance, women are often stereotyped to be attractive and submissive to men. These stereotypes surface especially in cases of gender violence.
Frequently asked questions include: Why didn't she leave him? Why did she stay? There's a tendency to shift blame onto the woman, even suggesting that her choice of clothing, such as a miniskirt, might be the cause.
Over the past 30 years, there has been a resurgence in traditional gender roles, suggesting women should stay at home, take care of the children, and maintain the household. Becoming a mother is often perceived as a woman's only goal in life.
This perspective is often connected with conservative movements. They focus on the life of the unborn but fail to recognize the life of the woman carrying the child. The woman is not just an incubator; she is a person with her own experiences, life, and dreams.
Dr. Juan Carlos Sola-Corbacho
Have you seen changes in the definition of those stereotypes during the last 2, 3, or 4 decades?
Nada Peratović
The situation has not changed, and the problem persists. I'm unsure if this is also true in America, but statistics indicate that young people, surprisingly, tend to be more conservative than their elders. There was a study conducted, and the results were alarming. The data suggests that even acts of aggression, such as a slap, are deemed acceptable among young people.
This revelation is deeply disturbing and shocking for feminists and human rights activists. The trend of younger individuals being more conservative, even towards LGBT people, is troubling. This is a significant concern.
Dr Juan Carlos Sola-Corbacho
Are Croatian women politically active? How important is women’s political participation?
Nada Peratović
They are politically active: in our Parliament, 20% are women. This is not as good as it once was; we had more women in politics in the past. We have a socialist legacy where women were really emancipated in the seventies and eighties. Our role models were working women, not housewives. However, even though we were emancipated in the public sphere, the domestic sphere remained the same. Women often had to handle household chores in addition to their work outside the home.
While it's important for women to participate in politics, it's also challenging due to the domestic responsibilities that often fall to them. Many women find it difficult to balance household tasks with political activism. Despite this, there are many young women now who were activists and have transitioned into politics, bringing about change.
Christiauna Martin
Here in the United States we often see a difference in pay throughout occupations based on gender. Is this a similar case in Croatia?
Nada Peratović
It's significant to note that women all over the world share similar problems and struggles. Regardless of nationality, women are often discriminated against based on their sex. This is evident in countries like Croatia and Switzerland, where I reside.
One issue prevalent worldwide is wage inequality. On average, women earn 16% less than men. This disparity is particularly noticeable when women take career breaks to start a family. Even when men and women have similar qualifications and start their careers at the same level, a woman's career progression tends to stall after such a break, while a man's continues to climb. As a result, women often end up with smaller pensions, contributing to a higher rate of poverty among older women.
The conversation about wage equality is essential as it ties into broader discussions on women's reproductive rights and gender equality. Advocates argue that expecting women and men to work until the same age, such as 65, does not account for women's unique challenges, such as taking career breaks for family reasons.
Some suggest that men should also prioritize their families over work, but societal expectations often discourage this. For instance, it's rare to see a man refuse an after-hours meeting because he has to put his children to bed.
Moreover, although it's illegal in many places, employers often discriminate against women during hiring processes, anticipating that they may take maternity leave. This unconscious bias further entrenches gender inequality in the workplace.
These interlinked issues underline the importance of continuing conversations about gender equality and advocating for women's rights.
Lilly Garcia
On the website for “the center for Civil Courage”, Women’s solidarity is explained as being more than seeking knowledge but instead being active in the movement for Women’s liberation. What has the involvement been from men in Croatia? Why do you feel that patriarchal ideologies specifically threaten women’s reproductive rights in Croatia?
Nada Peratović
Patriarchal ideologies pose a threat not only to women in Croatia, but also to those worldwide, including in the United States. The overturning of Roe v. Wade prompted us to protest, as we understand that events in your country can impact us.
This is why women's solidarity is important. Men, as a class, have solidarity, power, and money. Of course, this doesn't apply to every man, but it is why it's important to be part of the movement, to take to the streets and show that we can't give up. We have to fight because our rights weren't given to us as a gift. These rights were fought for by our grandmothers and great-grandmothers. We have a legacy not to lose these rights, but some of us are losing them. We have to fight because we have no other option.
I've read many things about what's happening in America right now, especially concerning abortion, and it's alarming. It's going in a direction similar to "The Handmaid's Tale". We didn't think it was possible, but it is. So, we have to be in solidarity and stay strong.
Dr. Juan Carlos Sola-Corbacho
Is gender-based violence a growing problem in Croatia? In your opinion, what is the most effective approach to address such a problem?
Nada Peratović
We currently have a problem that needs to be addressed. We need to understand that domestic violence can't be euphemistically called a “a family tragedy” or seen as a result of romantic passionate love (as it is often done in the media); it is violence, predominantly male violence. We must acknowledge that this is happening not only in Croatia and the Balkans but also all over the world, even every day. Men are beating, raping, choking, killing women and sometimes their children. This is likely a result of societal and economical structures and gender roles. There's potential frustration among men, but women are not their punching balls or emotional healers. Men should take responsibility to educate and change themselves. They should also openly condemn male perpetrators and not try to find excuses for them or often blame the female victim. They should dismiss their loyalty to this patriarchal thus violent, oppressive macho-“brotherhood” and be our allies.
Education, especially feminist education, is vital. It's currently lacking in our classrooms and needs to be incorporated. Feminists should participate in classes to provide this education. This would benefit not only women but everyone.
Based on my own experience, feminist education has led to significant personal changes. I recall when I was younger, I held stereotypes about women. However, through feminism and female solidarity, my mindset and behavior have evolved.
I no longer question why a woman doesn’t leave an abusive situation, as I understand the complexities behind such decisions. I will never blame a woman for her circumstances, whether she stayed in an abusive relationship or was victimized in any way.
This is why I believe it is important to support every woman. Even those who may have opposed abortion in the past, when they turn to us for help, we provide it without judgement. Because in that moment of need, we are there for her as a sister.