Digital violence against women and girls, the focus of this year’s “Orange the World – 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign, was also the central theme of a comics workshop held at the Europe House in Niš.
Students of the Niš Art School had the opportunity to learn about comic creation from two acclaimed comic artists, Angelina Milosavljević and Olga Mihailović.
Both artists developed their work through residencies organized as part of Women Power in Comics (WOMCOM), an initiative designed to support collaboration and exchange among women comic authors and illustrators. The program focuses on exploring and addressing gender issues in comics, while empowering women creators through residencies, exhibitions, and conferences.
Speaking about the WOMCOM initiative, Angelina Milosavljević emphasized that participating in the program helped her most by connecting her with a creative community filled with inspiring women’s voices.
Finding and connecting with a creative community is equally important for the young students of the Niš Art School. Workshops and exhibitions like the one held at the European House in Niš give them a chance to receive support for their own artistic work and further development.
Olga Mihailović also noted that WOMCOM offered her “an opportunity not only for personal growth and the development of artistic skills, but also for collaboration and for meeting artists and creators from neighboring countries.”
The comics workshop was accompanied by the opening of an exhibition featuring works created during WOMCOM residencies in Zagreb, Podgorica, Budapest, and Novi Sad.
The exhibition of comics produced through WOMCOM residencies will remain open until the end of the year at two locations: the Europe House in Niš (Vožda Karađorđa 5) and the MEZANIN Street Gallery (Balkanska 2). Works created during the workshop held as part of this year’s “Orange the World” campaign will be featured in the next exhibition at the European House in Niš.
“UNITE to End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls” is the theme of this year’s “Orange the World – 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign, which begins on November 25, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, and concludes on December 10, Human Rights Day.
Unfortunately, violence against women and girls remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations worldwide, affecting 1 in 3 women globally despite decades of progress in legislation, services, and prevention.
