Mirsada Tursunović from Zvornik, a victim of wartime torture, with the help of the Citizens’ Association ‘Vive Žene’ from Tuzla, which has been working on the project ‘Building economic resilience of women victims of gender-based violence through economic empowerment and securing women’s livelihoods’ since September 2021, has started her own business and in this way tries to improve her position and boost her economic opportunities.
Tursunović is engaged in the production of handicrafts, and through this project financed by the European Union, she will receive the material necessary for her work.
The campaign “Hire, improve” was launched as part of this project, which aims to help victims of violence in their employment and self-employment. Numerous workshops and trainings were held in which 16 women participated, and some of them have already developed their business ideas.
“My business idea is to promote, in addition to my work, the work of the Association for Helping Victims and Survivors of Wartime Sexual Violence, of which I am the president. The Association operates on the territory of the entire Tuzla Canton, and our headquarters is in Tuzla. Through this project, I will get wool, thread and everything needed to make different items. I am not alone in my work, and there are many senior members of the Association. I include them in work and give them advice and ideas on how to make handicrafts. When we finish everything, we find ways to sell them and improve our household budgets,” says Tursunović.
Occupational therapy is very important for victims of wartime sexual violence. She points out that this type of activity and engagement means a lot to them, given that it is a sensitive category.
She believes that for every woman who suffered violence, her economic empowerment is very important.
“Every woman who suffers violence mostly endures it all because of dependence on finances. Every empowerment of such women and the fact that they can contribute something to themselves and their family means a lot,” stresses Tursunović.
She says that society as a whole could help and change a lot when it comes to victims of violence, Fena reports.
