The Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly, as an organization that has been working on the promotion and protection of human rights since its foundation, cannot and does not want to ignore the statements of the first man of the city, Draško Stanivuković, who contributed to the atmosphere of lynching towards LGBT activists and journalists with his statements.
Also, in the month of March, when the “For the Life of Women” campaign is being carried out, the Mayor’s statements such as: “Banjaluka will remain a bastion of traditionally patriarchal family values” are, to say the least, shameful, and therefore the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly cancels all previously announced activities as part of this campaign, including the panel scheduled for today, March 20, at 6:00 p.m. in “Staklenac”, entitled “Inspiring Women – How Equal Are We?”.
We remind you that patriarchy is a form of social organization characterized by the complete dominance of men over women, which is expressed through various social practices and customs. Every fourth woman has personally experienced this domination, and such statements of the mayor can be understood as a justification of the violence that women suffer in their families.
We draw attention to the fact that patriarchy also oppresses men who do not share the values of patriarchal ideology and are not or do not have access to positions of power and decision-making.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republic of Srpska, various laws and regulations are in force that protect women’s rights to freedom of choice, expression and decision-making, as well as all other rights that are called into question by such statements.
In the end, not wanting to desecrate the heritage left to us by numerous courageous and free-thinking women, our mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers, we are canceling our participation in the “For the Life of Women” campaign, which is being carried out in a city that not only propagates retrograde values but it is not even able to protect women and girls in the public space, thus sending an image of Banja Luka as a conservative, closed and life-threatening place for all those who do not fit into the constructed image of traditional, patriarchal and family values.
