Violence against women, as a gross violation of human rights, is prohibited by numerous international conventions, as well as national laws in various countries, including Serbia. It represents acts which cause physical, sexual and mental harm and suffering, and is based on socially established or assumed differences (gender) between men and women. Violence against women represents a dominant form of gender-based violence, and it increases in times of humanitarian crisis, such as this latest refugee crisis, due to a number of factors, such as militarization or lack of protection mechanisms. Bearing in mind the geographical position, which dictated for Serbia to find itself in the middle of the refugee route, the country has, therefore, since the eruption of the European refugee crisis, been in its very epicenter along with other countires in the region.

The difficult position of women refugees requires special attention of actors in the protection system, and sensitized approach in the provision of necessary forms of assistance, creation of support programs, but also devising policies for (potential) integration.

Association “Atina” has, within the project “Local support to the most vulnerable refugees”, with the support of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), developed an observational cross-sectional study which aimed to show the prevalence and forms of violence against women and girls refugees from war-affected areas or areas of periodic conflicts, primarily Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, but other countries as well. The main objective of this study is to acquire a fuller insight into the risks and challenges related to violence against women and girls among the refugee population, as well as to learn lessons and create recommendations for improvements of the existing system of protection and support.