Nearly 20,000 women and men were victims of rape or sexual violence during the Bosnian War (1992–1995). Thirty years later, many Survivors still live with the physical, psychological, and social consequences of these crimes, without any real system of reparations or sustained public support. Stigmatized, isolated, and often deprived of access to healthcare, they also face economic hardship, particularly in rural areas such as Goražde, Brčko, or Foča. The absence of structural support hinders their recovery, autonomy, and recognition within society.

This project aims to address this injustice by tackling the root causes of the challenges faced by Survivors.

In partnership with the local organization Forgotten Children of War, Stand Speak Rise Up! is supporting an economic security project for Survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The goal: to enable them to achieve financial independence through agricultural training (organic techniques, non-GMO cultivation, food and flower production) and production support in the cities of Goražde and Brčko.

At the same time, in Foča, the project funds the organization — led by the Survivors themselves — of a commemorative event for June 19, the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. Beyond these concrete activities, the project is part of a broader process of collective healing, recognition, and the transmission of knowledge.

©Photo:Emmaüs en Bosnie-Herzégovine