Meet Rada Boric, Croatia

Rada is a renowned international feminist, professor, and peace activist, who is best known for creating positive change in the lives of women in her native Croatia and around the world.

Rada started off helping women survivors of violence during the war in the former Yugoslavia. She was program coordinator of the Center for Women War Victims in Zagreb, a center that was exceptional in allowing all women victims of war to seek refuge and begin healing free from discrimination. During that time, Rada was also actively involved in the Anti-War Campaign of Croatia.

The war in the former Yugoslavia nearly 20 years ago was not only fought in trenches and battlefields, but within communities and on women's bodies. It is estimated that over 40,000 women were raped during the conflict. Rape and other forms of sexual violence were used against women as a weapon of war.

Rada is passionate about women’s rights. She has continued her outstanding work as a board member of the European Women’s Lobby and previously worked as a consultant for the Lobby’s Secretariat in Brussels on the issue of violence against women and UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.

In 2002 she was nominated for Amnesty International USA Ginetta Sagan Gender Award, an award that recognizes women for their work to defend the rights of women and children in areas where human rights violations are widespread. In 2007 she received the Finnish High decoration for cultural achievements – The Night of the White Rose of Finland.

Teaching a new generation about the importance of women’s rights is of paramount importance to Rada. She currently works as the Executive Director and as a lecturer at the Centre for Women’s Studies in Croatia and provides training in nonviolent communication and conflict resolution. She is a dedicated advocate for women’s rights and empowerment internationally.

Watch Rada talk passionately about learning from the women she works with in this V-Day video!