SLOVENIA

Government
Slovenia was once a part of the former Yugoslavia, and its move to independence in 1991 was the most bloodless of the now independent countries. In 1998, Serbia ended the autonomy of Kosovo, leaving Slovenes with the fear that their autonomy could next be at stake. In 1991, Slovenes overwhelmingly voted to succeed from the Federation. In 1992, Slovenia was the first of the former Yugoslavian states to be recognized as a sovereign country by the European Union. The population is 2 million (UN, 2003), and the national language is Slovene. Due to its relative peace and prosperity, Slovenia is the first and only former Yugoslav country invited to join the European Union (EU) in 2004. Slovenia is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional republic, with power shared between a directly elected president, a prime minister, and a bicameral legislature. Long-time Prime Minister Janez Drnovsek became President in what election monitors have called free and fair elections in 2002. The new Prime Minister is Anton Rop of the Liberal Democrats. The judiciary is independent of the government. Ensuring a smooth transition to market economy and entry into the European Union and NATO are two of the key issues facing the new government.

Economy
Prior to independence, Slovenia was the most prosperous of the six Yugoslav republics and it currently is again today. However, the wars that took place in the region during the early and mid-1990s seriously affected Slovenia's economy. The new democratic governments commitment to a market economy, along with the republic's sound infrastructure, close relations with Western Europe, and skilled workforce, helped reverse the downward trend. By 1995, the gross national product, inflation, and unemployment were improving at an even higher rate than in other parts of the European Union. The government currently owns approximately 50 percent of the economy while transition to a free market is made. Unemployment is officially at 6.2 percent according the International Labor Organization, but registration for unemployment assistance rests at 11.2 percent. This is most likely due to changes in casual and temporary labor. Women make up about half of those unemployed or seeking jobs for the first time.

Media and Human Rights
The media is both independent and free of government interference. Despite this independence, human rights organizations such as the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Slovenia claim that media self-censorship is widespread due to political pressures. The rights of journalists are guaranteed under the constitution's freedom of expression, and over 50 percent of journalists are women. . Over two-thirds of Slovenes are connected to cable, ensuring them access to international and national television. A large number of citizens are also connected to the Internet. Human rights are by and large protected and upheld, with a significantly lower number of violations by police reported by citizens. Minorities still suffer from discrimination, mainly in obtaining jobs and housing. The country's small population of Roma lives mainly in the outskirts of towns. The government has made primary school education compulsory for every child, and attempts to include as many Roma children as possible.

Gender Issues
Women play an ever-increasing role in politics in Slovenia. In 1990, the Committee for Women's Politics was created to address women's political issues. The 1992 Report on the Status of Women helped the Committee establish working groups on issues such as sexual harassment and pensions. In 2000, a new women's political party, 'Women's Voices' emerged to promote democracy and European standards. In the 1994 elections, five women were elected as mayors, including the current major of Ljubljana. However, the number of female deputies decreased from 13 in 1991 to 7 in 1997.

Acceptance into the EU has strengthened women's rights within the country, because EU standards require equality between the sexes. However, sexual harassment of women on the job is highly prevalent. According to a 1998 survey by Slovenske Novice, 1 in every 11 women have reported such harassment, and many of them do not report it for fear of losing their jobs. Domestic violence is also a serious and underreported problem in Slovenia. One domestic violence organization, SOS Hotline Drustvo in Ljubljana, receives thousands of calls a year and has to turn away many women because its confidentially located shelter is at maximum capacity. There are currently five working women's shelters in the country, partially funded by the government. Under the Slovenian Penal Code, domestic violence is not directly prohibited by legislation, but cases brought before the court may be heard as 'violent acts, kidnapping, threat to kill or cause serious injury, among other criminal acts.' Rape is prohibited by the Slovenian Penal Code and punishable for not less than 1 year and not more than 10 years. Spousal rape is also a crime in Slovenia, but cases may only by heard after an official complaint by the victim is made. SOS Hotline Drustvo has organized three nation-wide campaigns, educating the general public about the issue of domestic violence and informing potential victims about where they can obtain services and protection. In 2002, the informational campaign "What's the Matter Little Girl" was publicized through a concert in Ljubljana, and posters were hung around the city and in train stations.

The Slovenian Penal code offers no explicit anti-trafficking legislation, however, the law for 'enslavement' prohibits anyone from bringing another person into slavery. Slovenia is mainly a transit country for trafficked young girls and women, but to a smaller degree the country is also considered a destination country. One of the biggest challenges facing Slovenia is the misuse by border officials of visa documentation for the purpose of trafficking. While the problem persists on a large scale, efforts have been made to prevent trafficking and protect victims. The government has taken part in wide-scale media campaigns and educational workshops for school-aged girls. These activities have taken place largely under the direction of local women's organizations. A special prosecutor's taskforce works with law enforcement to handle trafficking cases. So far, 55 arrests have been made based on grounds of rape, procurement for sex, kidnapping, and pimping, among other things. Protection of victims is not guaranteed under the Slovenian legal system. Trafficked women holding valid working permits (this is rarely the case) may stay; others are subject to direct deportation. Trafficked victims who have been brought back to Slovenia usually are the main witnesses in cases before the court. These victims are often reluctant to come forward, due to fear of violent retaliation against them or their families. In addition, the social stigma attached to victims means that most of them will not come forward at all, making reliable information about trafficking difficult to obtain. Many returned girls feel powerless and are unable to obtain work. Some end up being trafficked again. While there are currently no social services or government shelters in place for victims, women's groups in Slovenia have organized hotline and counseling centers, and often work with other women's groups in the victim's home country.

FAIR Fund in Slovenia
FAIR Fund currently collaborates with SOS Hotline Drustvo in order to bring increased domestic violence hotline services to the country. Additionally, FAIR Fund is building a partnership of organizations to launch its political participation campaign, FemVote.