The Center for Women’s Studies is a non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Belgrade. It is autonomous and independent from political structures or groups. The fundamental task of the Center for Women’s Studies is to support and improve theoretical models that embrace differences and plurality. The most important aim of the Center is the theoretical examination of the possibility of resistance and of political action against social practices of discrimination and exclusion based on sex, skin color, class, gender, sexuality and ethnic, national, religious affiliation.
The foundation of Women’s Studies in Belgrade was initiated in 1991 by the Belgrade feminist group Woman and Society. The first experimental, one-semester course, began symbolically on March 8 (International Women’s Day) in 1992. From 1992 to 2012, a library was developed that contains more than 6,000 books and 400 magazines. During this period collaboration took place with 70 organizations throughout the country, the region and beyond. It is also important to note that over 1,500 students have attended its lectures.
The Center’s long-term strategy is to develop and establish academic programs that are based on the right to be different; that is, to think and act differently.
The Center’s activities cover different fields, but the they have been arranged together to create a sophisticated alternative educational program. The Center’s primary focus is on lectures, supporting research projects, further expanding the library and information center and publishing. The Center also organizes workshops, courses and conferences.
Originally, it was conceptualized as a movement for peace: the Center for Women’s Studies operated from its very beginning in the context of the Yugoslav wars (1991-1999). Therefore, the starting point of the Center’s work, as an educational project, has been the fact that it was not a value-neutral project nor was it ever represented as one. This is due to its clear political commitment to work against war and nationalism as well as being rooted in the tradition of feminist activism.
In addition to the development of a teaching program, the Center for Women’s Studies has developed other activities over the past 10 years that support lectures and complement its educational profile. Above all is the publishing of texts such as the
Journal of Women’s Studies (now
Genero), launched in 1995, a series of translations and books by local authors, its ongoing maintenance of the library (founded in 1994) and conducting research.
