Association of Roma women “OSVIT”

Association of Roma women “OSVIT” is an association of female citizens founded in 2005. For 18 years, Osvit has been providing an SOS phone service for women who have experienced violence in the Roma and Serbian languages. From a local organization in Nis, in the environment where it has strong roots, Osvit has grown into a regional organization that covers southern Serbia. The influence on public policies reaches nationally, and the expertise in the field of human security and the fight against violence against women is recognized in expert circles and the general public. Through educational, economic, social, psychological and legal support, they empower women to get out of the circle of violence. They inform, educate and encourage citizens to activism in order to reduce discrimination against women and especially Roma women. They also train the public sector to contribute to the systemic response to violence against women and girls and the prevention of early child marriage.