They were sent to the activists in Kula, 14 of them to be exact threats via social networks as, allegedly, their intimate photos will end up in public. All this is happening as "part" of the dirtiest pre-election campaign, and the reason is that activists actively criticize the regime.
The women's movement KULA condemned the threats of humiliation and compromise, aimed at 14 women who are publicly engaged in their communities.
"These threats represent a serious form of digital and gender-based violence. The fact that this kind of intimidation is happening in the context of a local election campaign is particularly worrying, and it is clear that violence against women used as a means of political struggle. This sends a message to women that any public action will be punished with humiliation, threats and attempts at discrediting," they stated.
Member of the Democratic Party (DS) Dragana Rakić estimated that behind the anonymous accounts on social networks through which Kula citizens are threatened is the government that is "waging a special war" against women who are perceived as critics of the Serbian Progressive Party.
Rakić told the daily Danas that the representatives of the authorities do not choose the means and accused them of creating pornographic content with the help of artificial intelligence, which they placed through anonymous profiles on social networks in order to discredit 14 women from Kula ahead of the local elections in that municipality.
"I am convinced that this vulgar and more than despicable attack by the regime will make the Tower a new symbol of women's resistance and victory. And that is why the Tower will not remain an ordinary tower before the local elections, but will become the strongest bulwark of solidarity, kindness, love, civic courage and a guide to defeating the mafia in elections," concluded Rakić.
Targeting of female activists
Snezana Erak, one of the 14 women on the list created to humiliate and degrade women in Kula, spoke to N1.
"I felt like Milunka Savić of modern times. This is not a war - but it is fought every day," says Snezana Erak from the citizens' association "Biobeba".
The attack was launched by unknown people, who published a list of women on an anonymous page, claiming to have their intimate photos and videos, and promising to share them publicly.
"I know when I walk around the city and people laugh at me - I know why it happens to me. I live in a small town, there is a lot of small-town thinking, I know why it happens - because our city pointed a finger at us. My only sin is that I rebelled," she says.
Unknown people and the opposition councilor of the Kula Municipal Assembly entered the public list of degradation.
More than 20 organizations in support
Threats of humiliation and compromise, aimed at fourteen women who are publicly engaged in their communities, represent a serious form of digital and gender-based violence, according to a statement signed by 24 organizations, collectives and initiatives.
Such attacks represent a serious form of violence against women in politics and are part of a wider pattern of intimidation and silencing of women who participate in public and social life, which further deepens the already existing gender-based violence and undermines basic democratic rights, the statement reads.
The signatories of the statement demand an urgent, efficient and transparent reaction of the competent authorities, the protection of vulnerable women and the clear sanctioning of all those who use threats and violence as a means of political action.
The statement has been signed so far by: Activist group "Women for Change" Novi Sad, Alternative Center for Girls, ArteQ, Autonomous Women's Center, Autonomous Women's Front, BeFem Feminist Cultural Center, Center for Women's Support, Kikinda, Center for Women's Studies, Belgrade, EkoFemina Niš, Femin Kolektiv, Fondacina BFPI, Prijepolje Women's Forum, Civic Initiatives, Group for Gender Equality of the Civic Movement BRAVO.
Signatories include the Women means Revolution Initiative, Empowered, Polekol, SECONs - Development Initiative Group, SHARE Foundation, Tampon Zone, Zrenjanin Social Forum, Women's Economic and Environmental Organization Užice, Women's Platform for the Development of Serbia, Women's Research Center Niš, Ana Mirkailo, Ana Isaković, Alisa Kockar and Tamara Srijemac.
