Feminist social transformation: Hands of strength and solidarity - Club "With and for girls" from Vranje

"I found a safe haven in the club, filled with inspiration and support, which enables me, and all of us, to build a community where every woman and girl is seen and respected," emphasised club representative Anđela Ristić. She added that the enthusiasm and determination of club members make Vranje a place where positive changes affect different aspects of life. Believing that activism happens in everyday life situations, regardless of the environment, the girls emphasise the importance of community and women's advocacy.

This activism and advocacy of girls takes place in the heart of Vranje, where over twenty high school girls are building a bridge of change and activism through the club "With and for Girls." They combine their interests, hobbies, knowledge, and skills to promote positive environmental changes.

Some of these strong girls arrived at the club through the local youth organisation "Our World, Our Rules," already with invaluable experience in activism and volunteerism. On the other hand, some of them are members of local women's football teams, such as ŽFK Dinamo and women's handball teams from ŽRK Vranje, who use sports activities as a space for expressing activism and feminism every day.

Discrimination of women and girls in sports is a central topic.

The girls gathered around the club and organised their activities in Vranje around the issues of discrimination against women and girls in sports, but also around gender-based violence in general, which they see as still widespread and dominant in all spheres, both physical and virtual. Moreover, their long-term action focuses on opening a social dialogue on menstrual poverty, access to menstrual products, and the general reproductive health of women.

In their actions so far, the representatives of the club "With and for Girls" from Vranje have established local partnerships and alliances to start implementing their ideas and activities. The "Bora Stanković" high school also supported offering activities for male and female students on these critical topics through peer learning methods in the upcoming school year.

This news was created as part of the project "Initiative of young feminist advocates in Serbia", which has been implemented by the Citizens' Association Atina with the support of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Belgrade, in cooperation with the organisation Schüler Helfen Leben (SHL).