I confess it has been hard not to be gloomy and doomy in the present political climate. The policies of the current Administration are eroding democracy worldwide and activists in the Balkans are seeing this first hand – America as the great equalizer and friend to democratic movements is no more. America as the friend of bullies and tyrants continues to emerge and affect the daily lives of women and LGBTQ people around the world.
Imagine, living in a country that is new to democracy after decades of dictatorships, socialism, and Russian interference – the Balkan countries don’t have the history that we do and the infrastructure and financial support to make systemic change.
Distressingly some of the best minds are leaving the Balkans. Bosnia ranked 135 of 137 countries in ability to retain talent. 58,000 left Serbia last year. Croatian unemployment has averaged 35% over past decade. I continue to be moved by women activists who continue to do their work in a climate of increasing violence, homophobia, and reduced funding from regional governments. They see recent rights slipping away. Their local systems are failing them, but so are our women’s institutions – we continue to see decreased funding from US based women’s and LGBTQ sources of funding. Our Balkan colleagues are tired and dispirited but they fight on.
As always, I am grateful for your generosity to Heart & Hand over the years and hope that you will continue to support our grantees. This issue of the newsletter describes some of our Balkan sisters’ exciting programs. Every dollar that you contribute goes directly to our grantees whose work benefits women and their families throughout the Balkans.
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