Owing to discriminatory legal frameworks and practices, women and girls are m...

Owing to discriminatory legal frameworks and practices, women and girls are more vulnerable to conflict- related violations of their rights, including sexual violence. It is of vital importance that the culture of impunity that still prevails with regard to such crimes be addressed. Based on our own tragic experiences of the aggression on Croatia in the 1990s, during which rape was used as a method of intimidation and terror, we are convinced that the issue of sexual violence in conflict can be adequately addressed only through a comprehensive approach. In our view, victims' rights and access to reparations is one of the most gender- responsive transitional justice measures. The Croatian Government is currently preparing comprehensive legislation by which the survivors of sexual violence from the 1990s will be entitled to the status of civilian victims of war.