# Croatia women's rights protests and reform demands > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/croatia-womens-rights-protests-and-reform-demands > Updated: 2026-09-23T07:50:50.000Z. Sources: 28. Developments: 3. In Croatia, women's rights organizations and civil society groups are mobilizing to demand systemic reforms following a femicide in Slatina. On September 21, 2026, activists organized public protests across 17 cities under the slogan “While the minister shines a light, women remain in the dark.” Organized by the Women's Network of Croatia and other initiatives, these actions criticize the government's response and statements made by Minister of Labor, Pension System, Family and Social Policy, Alen Ružić. Protesters argue Ružić’s rhetoric unfairly shifts responsibility from the state to the victim. The Slatina incident, involving the killing of a 35-year-old mother of six, revealed significant institutional failures. Police Director Nikola Milina acknowledged that necessary actions were not taken despite known risks, leading to disciplinary proceedings against several officers. Additionally, the State Attorney's Office noted irregularities regarding the failure to pursue pretrial detention for the suspect. On September 22, the National Day against Violence against Women, various commemorative events took place. In Marija Bistrica, the Association ‘Hrvatska žena’ held an exhibition titled ‘Both Love and Sorrow with the Same Thread for Centuries’ to contrast historical domestic roles with modern awareness efforts. Meanwhile, Adela Iskra Lukačić, president of the Center for Women in Sisak, reported that shelter capacities remain full nationwide. While data from the Sisak-Moslavina Police Administration shows a downward trend in recorded domestic violence offenses in 2026, activists continue to demand the reclassification of gender-based violence from a misdemeanor to a criminal offense and the enactment of comprehensive protective laws. ## Claims - Ženska mreža Hrvatske and other organizations organized protests in 17 Croatian cities. (corroborated by 9 sources) - The protests were triggered by the femicide of a 35-year-old woman in Slatina. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Protesters demand that domestic violence be moved from the misdemeanor to the criminal sphere. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Police Director Nikola Milina admitted that not all necessary actions were taken immediately before the Slatina murder. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against several police officers due to failures in the Slatina case. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The number of women killed by current or former intimate partners in Croatia rose from five in 2024 to 12 in 2025. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The National Call Center for Victims reported that 86 percent of domestic violence victims in Croatia in 2025 were women (corroborated by 2 sources) - In Varaždin, domestic violence misdemeanors decreased by 19 percent, but criminal domestic violence increased by 29 pct. (single source) - EU MEP Sunčana Glavak noted that nearly one in three women in the EU has experienced physical or sexual violence. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-23: Croatia marks National Day against Violence against Women Croatia observed the National Day against Violence against Women, highlighting full shelter capacities and the need for institutional coordination alongside cultural reflections on women's historical roles. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-marks-national-day-against-violence-against-women ### 2026-09-20: Croatia protests in 17 cities over Slatina femicide and systemic failures Protests in 17 Croatian cities demand systemic reforms following a femicide in Slatina. Activists call for domestic violence to be treated as a criminal offense rather than a misdemeanor. 21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-womens-rights-groups-to-protest-across-17-cities ### 2026-09-18: Croatia marks National Day against Violence against Women with calls for reform Croatian women's organizations are holding nationwide actions and awareness events to mark the National Day against Violence against Women, demanding legislative reforms and better institutional protection. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-marks-national-day-against-violence-against-women-with-calls-for-reform --- Cite as: Croatia women's rights protests and reform demands. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/croatia-womens-rights-protests-and-reform-demands