Who we are

Autonomous Women’s House Zagreb – Women Against Violence Against Women (AWHZ) is a non-governmental organization whose work is based on feminist principles of women’s support, solidarity, and mutual cooperation. It was founded in December 1990, when we opened the first shelter for women survivors of male violence in the territory of what was then Eastern Europe.

AWHZ provides support and assistance to women regardless of their nationality or citizenship, ethnic origin, religion, education, political beliefs, marital status, economic status, age, skin colour, sexual orientation, or any other status.

AWHZ advocates for a life free from patriarchal violence against women and for all women’s human rights to be fully enjoyed in a gender-equal society.

Shelter – more than a roof over your head

The Shelter is a safe place at a confidential address for women and their children survivors of male violence (by a current or former husband, partner, or boyfriend).

If you need accommodation in the Shelter, please call the free Counselling Centre helpline for women at 116 016, available on weekdays from 10 AM to 5 PM, where you can arrange a meeting with one of our counsellors regarding admission to the Shelter.

Women’s Counselling Centre – Support, Confidentiality, Anonymity

The AWHZ’s Women’s Counselling Centre is a confidential space for women who need support, information, counselling, and guidance related to the violence they have experienced. Support at the Women’s Counselling Centre is free of charge and anonymous.

Counselling Centre phone number: 116 016
Working hours: Weekdays from 10 AM to 5 PM

Our work is based on the following values:

Feminism and Social Change:
An anti-authoritarian and non-violent culture, women’s solidarity and support, confidentiality and anonymity, a focus on the needs of women who have survived patriarchal violence and other forms of discrimination, respect for a woman’s autonomous decisions, integrity and dignity, global solidarity among women, and collaboration.

Women’s Human Rights:
Providing support and assistance to women and their children regardless of their nationality or citizenship, ethnic origin, religion, education, political beliefs, marital status, economic status, age, skin colour, sexual orientation, or any other status.

Ethics:
Responsibility towards women and children, commitment to a high level of professionalism in protecting women’s human rights, dedication and persistence in achieving goals, and transparency and accountability in the use of financial resources.

Awards

City of Zagreb Award (2000):
For “establishing the first shelter for women and children survivors of abuse in this part of Europe, for systematic work on the prevention and suppression of violence, and for raising public awareness in the fight against domestic violence.”

Velimir Terzić Award (2000):
For “outstanding contributions to the development of democracy and the rule of law, and for the promotion of human, civil and political rights, tolerance, and social justice in the Republic of Croatia and Croatian society.”

Certificate of Appreciation from the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia:
For “dedicated and persistent work with victims of domestic violence, from shelter provision to psychological and legal assistance for survivors.”

EXPO 2000:
In a highly competitive international selection, we were chosen to represent the development of the civil sector and democracy in Croatia at EXPO 2000 in Hannover.First Prize by Erste Foundation for Social Integration of Marginalized Groups:
In 2011, our program was selected as the best among 1,850 programs from 12 EU countries.