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To Whom It May Concern,

We are delighted to recommend Girl’s Center Nis for your future cooperation and support. We are familiar with the work of Girl’s Center Nis since their involvement in ASTRA Network consisting of 10 active members working on suppressing trafficking in women and girls through the local community activities. As a group situated in Nis, together with the groups from Vranje, Vlasotince and Dimitrovgrad, it was responsible for raising awareness within South Serbia region. We need to underline this group has managed to gain extensive experience in direct work on trafficking prevention and that every activity they where implementing for the purpose of combating trafficking in human beings, especially women and children (workshops, broadcasting video clips and radio jingles on local TV and radio stations, local communities actions for the purpose of raising awareness on the issue of trafficking in women) they conducted professionally.
Girl’s Center Nis activists have passed numerous educations regarding trafficking in women and girls, such as basic education on TIP or trainings for trainers, which enabled them to become trainers, to raise awareness further on in the community and most of all to enter high schools, making contacts with the female students, informing them about the risks and how to protect themselves. Since, the activists of Girl’s Center Niš have achieved great results in prevention and education of high school population regarding all the issues relevant for them. We find their work extremely important for the region of Nis and south-east Serbia.
When ASTRA started close cooperation with the Girl’s Center Nis we continued it up to date. We have always considered them as an important partner in combating trafficking in humans, as well as in suppressing other forms of violence against women. Besides their open, idealistic spirit, their group consists of dedicated individuals.

Bearing in mind all of their strength and persistence, devoted spirit instructed to combat gender based violence and trafficking, and because of the need for supporting groups such as Girl’s Center Niš to continue their activities even in a more developed way, we strongly recommend them for your support.
If you have any further question please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely Yours, Belgrade, 28.08.2007.
Marijana Gligoric
Coordinator of ASTRA Networking Programme

To Whom It May Concern,

We are pleased to recommend Girls’ Centre project for your future support.

The Girls’ Centre from Nis is one of the first feminist organizations in our city and was founded by activists who represent pioneer feminists in women’s organizing into nongovernmental organizations in Nis. Numerous are their activities and working results immense. In addition, the support offered by the Centre to other organizations in working is of immeasurable importance since thus this organization provides its contribution towards civil society development within our country.
Having in mind comprehensive education Center’s members have gone through, as well as their engagement in working with young women, we believe it is of outmost importance they receive your support. Such support is important not only for the organization in question, but for the entire region of South Serbia and city of Nis. The fact that this region lacks feminist organizations and those working with education of young women and issue of trafficking are scarce needs to be stressed. Therefore, by supporting Girls’ Centre much needed assistance to the reminder of the civil society would be also provided.
Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to make inquiries.

Sincerely, Vera Kurtic
Programme Coordinator

Autonomous Women’s Center from Belgrade (AWC) completely support project that will be realized by Center for Girls from Nis.
As part of the project «Health education of women in Serbia», that our organization implemented during two years, from September 2001 to November 2003, 2 members of the Center for Girls from Nis attended theoretical education about women’s health on two successive trainings that lasted twelve days and gained skills for coordinating workshops and public lectures. During those two years they were doing workshops and public lectures on various subjects concerning women’s health, including reproductive health and rights, also domestic violence. Total number of the workshops and public lectures that they were organizing and coordinating was 72 (48 workshops and 24 public lectures).

We think that the work of Center for Girls from Nis is very important for that region of Serbia. Their past activities and contribution for improving women’s rights, women’s health and prevention and suppressing violence toward women is recognized and appreciated by local and regional community. Especially important is also active involvement of members of their group in network of women’s NGOs in Serbia.
We think that they are responsible and capable to successfully implement their new project and contribute to development of civil society in their community and more widely.

For Autonomous Women’s Center
Dr Stanislava Otaševic,
Coordinator for program Women’s Health

To Whom it May Concern,

Center for girls was established in 1998, becoming a unique feminist organization in the City of Nis. Throughout decades of work, they have tackled the issues of violence against girls, prevention of human trafficking and women’s health and sexuality.

Organisation Center for girls has been providing service of SOS hotline and meeting place for girls and women experiencing any form of violence, establishing itself as a reliable and safe space. They have been actively working on promotion of feminism and female solidarity by organising Artfemine regional festival, as well as feminist art colony. Center for girls has managed to familiarize and alert the wider public about pressing issues women are facing through feminist-activist theatre and street actions.

They have initiated cooperation with key stakeholders and institutions, enabling a comprehensive approach to identified issues. A special segment of Center for girls’ work is dedicated to women’s health that is promoted by the annual marking of Women’s Health Month.

Undoubtedly the most significant part of the Center for girls’ work are workshops organized for high school and faculty female students on different topics including gender-based violence, sexuality and reproductive health. By establishing cooperation with schools and enabling knowledge transfer to peer educators, they were able to directly work with girls at the most fragile age, equipping them with skills and information. Moreover, by sustaining continuity in workshops they are communicating with each new generation. Next to the feminist principles, Center for girls also applies principles and policies for protection of children in their work.

Trag foundation has been cooperating with Center for girlssince 2015 through Program „Issues Affecting Women“, supported by the OAK Foundation, by providing support to organizational development and efforts to improve the position of women and create regional initiatives and spaces for knowledge production and dissemination.

Based on our long-term cooperation, we find Center for girls highly competent for conducting self-defence workshops with young women and girls. Having in mind previous work of the organization, we are confident that this type of workshop is recognized as beneficial through previous direct work with girls and young women, and it will be carried out successfully.

Best regards,
Natalija Simović
Grantmaking Program Director

Preporuku možete pročitati ovde.

Recommendation can be found here.

Preporuku možete pročitati ovde.

Recommendation can be found here.

Preporuku možete pročitati ovde.

Recommendation can be found here.

Preporuku možete pročitati ovde.

Recommendation can be found here.

Preporuku možete pročitati ovde.

Recommendation can be found here.

Jelena Mladenović

Radmila Ilić

Vladimir Mitrović

Jasminino iskustvo sa Centrom za devojke

Zadovoljna sam i načinom rada Centra koji je organizovan i sveobuhvatan. Od početnih poziva i dopisa za saradnju i učešća, preko već pomenutih oblika rada, do evaluacije, izveštaja, fotografija i video-zapisa.

Koristim priliku da vam se zahvalim za dosadašnju saradnju i unapred čestitam dvadesetogodišnjicu postojanja i rada Centra za devojke sa željom da nastavimo našu uspešnu saradnju.

Jelena Mladenović

Psihološkinja Pravno-poslovne škole, Niš

Radmilino iskustvo sa Centrom za devojke

Naša saradnja traje već 15 godina. Centar za devojke je organizacija koja je među prvima prepoznala značaj tema kojima bi trebalo da se bavimo u školama i ponudila svoje programe. Veliki broj učenica je svake školske godine bio obuhvaćen radionicama o prevenciji trgovine ljudima, prevenciji nasilja u partnerskim vezama, o reproduktivnom zdravlju, ekonomskom osnaživanju devojaka. Evaluacija koja je rađena sa učenicama nakon radionica, pokazuje visok nivo zadovoljstva temama.

Naša dugogodišnja saradnja je doprinela da se aktivno bavimo ovim temama, uključujemo i druge organizacije i radimo na podizanju svesti naših učenica o potencijalnim rizicima, o merama zaštite i mogućnostima delovanja. Naučili smo zajedno naše učenice da prepoznaju nasilje, da ga prijavljuju i ne pristaju da trpe.

Radmila Ilić

Psihološkinja Škole mode i lepote, Niš

Vladimirovo iskustvo sa Centrom za devojke

Kao što i sami znate, saradnja između Tehničke škole „12.Februar“ i Centra za devojke traje dugi niz godina, još od 2009‒2010. godine. Na naše veliko zadovoljstvo, a nadam se i Vaše, ova saradnja je obostrano korisna. S jedne strane, vama pruža mogućnost da ostvarite svoje ciljeve u prenošenju zdravih životnih stavova i navika, kao i stilova ponašanja, na naše učenice, a sa druge strane mi smo veoma zadovoljni jer nase učenice dobijaju veoma važne i vredne lekcije, kao i informacije koje u redovnom školovanju ne dobijaju ili ih dobijaju u nedovoljnoj meri. Pod vrednim lekcijama i informacijama mislim pre svega na one koje se tiču njihove bezbednosti, odnosno tema kao što su borba protiv nasilja nad ženama i borba protiv trgovine ljudima. Naravno da su i ostale teme poput ženskog i reproduktivnog zdravlja takođe jako važne, ali o tome neke informacije devojčice mogu da dobiju i u okviru svojih primarnih porodica ili vršnjačkih grupa. Nadam se da će se ova saradnja nastaviti i u godinama koje dolaze.

Vladimir Mitrović

Psiholog Tehničke škole „12 februar“, Niš
To me, the Center for Girls is a center of my feminism. It is a center which pulls me back to female solidarity, support, understanding and joint learning. The girls from the Center provide that sense of security that you need when you do things not only in the wrong but in the right way as well. As we come from different worlds, me from my private world, and they from the activist one, it is wonderful how our feminisms keep the same track towards the same goals. Together, we change the world for the better and the strength we carry along is fascinating.
Tatjana Obradović Tošić
a consultant

** Center for Girls is a center of my feminism **

The Center for Girls has delivered a new Balkanian impulse to the activist spirit of young feminists, associating them into the Regional Young Feminist Network and keeping the joint struggle alive in this area. The goal of such networking is to ensure coordination and cooperation among the youth, who has to know and believe each other in order to succeed in meeting the needs of their community. Our activities within the network do not only involve joint initiatives concerning women's right, but also participation in panel discussions, trainings and feminist festivals organized by the Center for Girls. Apart from the experience gained, the importance of this cooperation is also reflected in the mutual support in the context of identified targets through strong commitment and active engagement in our communities. Woman to Woman Organization from Shkoder, which is also a member of this network, collected and distributed a lot of information which, thanks to the similar backgrounds that we come from, formulated our challenges and ideas. The Center for Girls provided necessary expertise which enhanced our integration into this network. It is important to note that this reinforced cooperation also led to joint street actions and initiatives, as well as attempts to apply for joint projects. We have managed to build mutual trust and strategic network which surpasses the limits in innovative ways. We appreciate the contribution made by the differences and ideas of the youth, and we will keep on expanding the views by conceiving further actions and instruments which bring social changes and fight for human rights. Joint struggle continues in each of us individually.
Besara Podgorica
an activist of ”Gruaja Tek Gruaja”, Albania

** A new Balkanian impulse to the activist spirit of young feminists **

They brought us together to paint – each of us having a different sensibility, different views out of the window and to her own nature. And then we learned things that helped us become aware of the substance surrounding us, re-examine traditional discourses and call them by their real name. We shared personal stories, emotions, experiences and adventures. We stood by each other, and inspiration and ideas we shared spun an invisible web which made us stronger, and will continue to do so. And, truth be told, we painted. Our works were formally and substantially different, but their common feature was openness to investigating and empowering our own female identity. The Center helped us realize that our art had already been socially engaged, encouraged us to move on and support one another. Thank you.
Aleksandra Mirić
an artist

** Our art had already been socially engaged **

Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if you had a big organization employing 20 or more people, but at other times I think the things are better this way, it is better to have a smaller organization but connected to the community the way you are. The Center constantly evolves as well as my cooperation with Tanja. Even before our formal cooperation on the Forum theatre, Tanja and I were constantly in touch. I felt free to tell Tanja whatever was on my mind, and she was ready to accept my opinions without any judgement and without interpreting that as an attack on her organization. This is very rare – in regional cooperation, others would interpret such an act as a personal attack, nationalistic attack. So it doesn't matter... I come from Kosovo, you are from Serbia, but we have never considered similar things as a problem. Never. We considered ourselves as business partners and I appreciate you for that. You make an excellent team.
Zana Hodža Krasnići
a director

** Small organization but connected to the community **

Sanja Solunac, a visual artist and activist

Cooperation with the Center for Girls spurs me to constantly learn and try to be better and more diligent. The girls I meet and work with remind me all the time that I am not alone and that I will always have support from true friends who are good persons acutely aware of social behaviour and injustices that surround us.

** Constant learning and trying to be better and more diligent **

Natalija Pljaskić, SOS Helpline for Women and Children Victims of Violence

Cooperation with the Center for Girls has provided me with acquaintances and team work which reflects the solidarity among us. We gain new experiences and expand our knowledge on the common topics and ideas we jointly advocate for. With each joint activity, I increase my self-confidence and my own capacities, as well as the capacities of my organization.

** With each joint activity, I increase my self-confidence and my own capacities **

Vildana Džekman, CURE Foundation activist

Every year, the Center for Girls from Niš visits PitchWise Festival of Women’s Art and Activism organized by CURE Foundation. As an activist and feminist of CURE Foundation, I met some of their members at one of those occasions. Soon I received an invitation to visit ArtFemine Festival. On my way to Niš, I was not aware of what ArtFemine would mean to me. Feminist environment with opportunities to make new friends, kept until today, are just a small part of what ArtFemine offers. After that, I met those same women, my feminist and activist friends, in other cities in the region. We supported each other in the struggle for freedom and resistance to patriarchy. I will always remember Niš for its public protest against all kinds of violence. A public protest in the street, defiance against subordination and invisibility of us, women. The Center for Girls shifted that “center” into the streets, just as Virginia Woolf wrote: “As a woman, I have no country. As a woman, my country is the whole world”. At this moment, as I sit and write down my reflections on the Center for Girls while travelling to Banja Luka, I remember our dance at the festival. I remember the feeling of freedom and love to myself and every part of my body, even the most hidden one. If somebody asked me what is the first association that the Center for Girls evokes, I would say ArtFemine, and ArtFemine is an inevitable association for “feminism”. My return to Sarajevo did not mean a break-up, but, on the contrary, constant follow-up. I continued to follow the work of these amazing women on social networks. Their incessant rebellion in the streets of Niš. Weather has never been an obstacle to these fascinating women. I was always wondering how they felt inside while holding the banners in the rain or temperatures below zero. My dear friends, as I write this, I feel enthusiastic to see you again soon. At the place which has become the place of struggle for acknowledging our existence. And you, you have remained true to yourselves and to what is feminist, strong and free. I embrace you for the feminist freedom and love that you live.

** The first association that the Center for Girls evokes, I would say ArtFemine, and ArtFemine is an inevitable association for “feminism” **

Emilija Miljković, a photographer

While cooperating with the Center for Girls for three-four years now, I have met hard-working, brave, creative women who are willing and eager to point out to the problems that surround us, and which are mostly ignored, and to find solutions for those problems… Their positive energy and activism have become an integral part of my own struggle to make this society a better place without prejudices, violence and hate. Our cooperation has enriched me both personally and professionally, and I am glad that my work can contribute to this great team. 

** Hard-working, brave, creative women who are willing and eager to point out to the problems that surround us **

Ivana Stanković, graphic artist

My cooperation with the Center for Girls began in 2014 within 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign. This cooperation was important to me personally, but also to the students of the school where I teach (Art High-School in Niš). Ten of my students and I participated in an art workshop concerning the struggle against gender-based violence. After the workshop, a panel discussion was held – the prevention of digital violence and human trafficking. I was very glad to be in the audience, I was delighted with the speakers and the way they presented the problem to young people from high-schools. Then, we started making plans for the first Feminist Art Colony. Boundless energy, strength and willingness on the part of the girls from the Center proved that a seven-day colony involving ten young artist could be organized in a very short time. Excellent exhibition!!! And so, our cooperation continues… “(UN)safe”, Forum theatre performance… Superb! Bravo! Ten Art School students saw the performance, and all students in the school talked about it the day after… Today, at times of violence, hate and all things bad, I look forward to each action of the Center for Girls. They mean a lot to young people, professors, young artists and all people who are against any form of violence.

** Center mean a lot to all people who are against any form of violence **

Hristina Piskulidis, IT consultant

I heard about the Center a long time ago, maybe a year or two after they had been founded, thanks to my friends in the activist circles. At that time, it could not be predicted that the Center would come of age, but it was nice knowing that there was a place in Niš where girls and young women could get together, educate, hang out and feel safe. Today, 18 years after their foundation, and after over 1.500 empowering workshops, several festivals of women’s activism and art, loads of successful projects and tens of street actions, I can say that Niš is lucky to have such a strong, visible, fearless women’s group, which, via almost everyday interventions in real time, place and lives of young women, makes small but important footsteps in the struggle for women’s human rights and against patriarchy, conventions, imposed roles and stereotypes. The Center for Girls is certainly the most visible women’s organization in Niš and the first place young women will come across if they are interested in improving women’s, and consequently their own position in the society. And this is good – because the Center can make you feel welcome, accepted and on your own! I have been cooperating with the activists of the Center for six years, starting from the first FemiNiš Festival. The types of our cooperation changed, but friendliness, solidarity and support, both professional and personal, have stayed the same, and I am very thankful for that.

** Center can make you feel welcome, accepted and on your own **

Dragana Jovanović, Actress 

I want to point out that I really believe that the work done by the Center for Girls is ethical and genuine, done with a lot of love and sacrifice, a lot of patience, and constant education of oneself and others. It is a sanctuary for many women who face different obstacles or inconveniences, myself included. Without the Center for Girls or Tanja, I might not have experienced much of my creative work and life. The Center for Girls is where I will always be met with understanding, support, a hug, and warmth, for which I am grateful.

** Center for Girls’ work is ethical and genuine**

Silvija Mihajlovic, Activist

The Center is the place where girls grow up and shape their personalities. I would love for every city to have such a place because once we are aware of our rights and empowered by gaining the knowledge or support of other girls and women, most of us will have the strength to raise our voices, stand up, and fight for ourselves. Thanks to many workshops, acquaintances, friends I made, and stories I heard, the confidence I got to do most of the things which used to seem unachievable to me, such as: running workshops, conferences, giving public speeches, as well as choosing good people and partners, and setting boundaries.

** Center for Girls is the place where girls grow up and shape their personalities**

Ana Mirkailo, Activist and Peer-Educator

This wonderful family, which I have happily chosen for myself, gave me the love that doesn’t exist in patriarchy: it is, above all, the love shared by women by which we say that we aren’t perfect but promise that we will be there to support each other when making decisions regarding our lives. The love one woman gives to another is transformative as it isn’t based on an ultimatum and has nothing to do with sexuality, ethnicity, gender, or any other kind of boundary. I am deeply convinced that feminist love transforms the feelings of pain and destruction that result from competing with one another into life-changing energy and strengthens our faith in ourselves and our own capacities to be unconditionally and genuinely accepted. Feminism taught me that I have the right to say NO loudly whenever and wherever, no matter what others may think of that: that I, Ana, have the right not to hide behind a smile and not to forgive when hurt. I learned that it is possible to be an artist, inspiration, rebel, and be loved by another human being and that all of these don’t exclude one another.

** Center for Girls is my chosen family**

Mila Stanojević, Activist

Five years ago, I came to the Center for Girls for the first time, and I believe that it is one of the best decisions I have ever made. The numerous training sessions I at­tended, and experiences I gained at the Center for Girls helped me work on myself and become much more satisfied with who I am, in addition to dismantling my previous prejudices and introducing me to the world of feminism. Before coming to the Center, I couldn’t imagine talking in front of a lot of people, but today I am a peer educator and one of the participants in the plays organized by the Center for Girls.

I have met wonderful girls, women, and activists at the Center, who have taught me what female solidarity is and how important it is to stick together because No woman is a wolf to another woman. I am immensely grateful that such an organization exists and that I am a part of it.

** Center for Girls taught me what female solidarity is**

Nevena Mitić, Associate

Coming across the Center for Girls meant a lot to me, with women from my hometown, Niš, and seeing a non-governmental organization that dealt with topics regarding the abuse women suffer. Had they existed when it happened to me, maybe things would be different or easier. I understand very well how important it is for women to have someone or an organization that empowers and supports them and tells them: “You are not alone. How can we help you? Do you want to say something about the painful experience?”.

** It is important to have an organization that empowers you**