STA, February 19, 2018 – Slovenia has been largely unaffected by the #MeToo movement, which has seen increasing number of women, mostly in the US, going public with their stories of sexual harassment, abuse and assault. Now, a feminist organisation plans to change that and encourage women to share their stories under #JazTudi, the Slovenian equivalent of the movement.
The goal is to record and analyse sexual abuse and harassment stories of women in Slovenia and put them into the proper context, taking into account the economic and social aspects, and showing that sexual harassment is part of a broader problem of social inequality.
"Even though we are aware that gender equality is not possible in the existing system and that addressing all forms of inequality is the basis of the feminist fight, we believe in the power of personal stories," Nika Kovač, the director of the March 8 Institute, told the press on Monday.
Stories "provide an insight into the many forms of subordination which are reflected in informal practices that we must not ignore," said Kovač, inviting women to share their stories at www.jaztudi.si, a dedicated webpage set up by the institute.
Abuse of women must be placed in the appropriate context, also taking into account the social and economic aspects, and inspected in the light of social inequality, according to Kovač.
Moreover, with the parliamentary election approaching, the organisation will demand clear answers about specific social issues from all political parties.
"We believe that feminism is much more than fulfilling female quotas. It is about being deeply involved in topical political and social developments and analysing the different forms of inequality and subordination," said Maiken Kores, who is coordinating the programme.
The parties' responses to questions about social inequality, women's reproductive rights, refugees and same-sex marriage will be presented at monthly round tables and posted online.
