engleski

Experiencing War – Women in the Croatian War of Independence

The war is a profound disruption of social structure, destruction of community, society, material and other goods. However, equally destructive war is reflected on the individual level, leaving a lifetime, indelible consequences. The research was conducted with the main aim of gaining knowledge about the perceptions and the experiences of women in the war. With regard to the specificity of the issue examined in the study, we used a qualitative methodology, semi-structured interview method. The study was conducted in 2011, in the Split-Dalmatia County. Eight women, selected according to the research objectives, participated in interviews. All of them, in different ways, were engaged in Croatian War of Independence. Among them was a woman who participated in the war, an immigrant, the member of the Serbian minority, the widow, the refugee, two health care professions, and two humanitarian activists. The results show that there are no significant differences in the perceptions of the war among the respondents with regard to their socio-demographic characteristics. All respondents reported that the War associate negative feelings such as pain, sorrow, suffering and sadness. Differences were established and discovered in terms of women experience during the war. The women who were actively engaged in the humanitarian activities confirmed the association of women and their solidarity. Most respondents expressed anti-war and anti-militaristic attitudes, but are divided about attitude of forgiveness, reconciliation and commitment to peace. The reason for this is still vivid experience that the respondents had passed through during the war.

women; Croatian War of Independence; perception; experience; solidarity; forgiveness; reconciliation

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