Feminist Law

The introduction of the criminal offence of the aggravated murder of a female person into the Croatian Criminal Code represents an important normative step in recognising gender-based violence. Femicide is neither a crime of passion nor an isolated act of violence. Rather, it most often represents the final stage of a prolonged pattern of gender-based violence, preceded by humiliation, isolation, coercive control, and the gradual escalation of abusive behaviour.

Despite the ratification of the Convention and amendments to the legislative framework, violence against women in Croatia continues to represent a serious social problem.