Nika Kovač
Nika Kovač | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1993 |
| Nationality | Slovenian |
| Occupation(s) | Anthropologist, sociologist, activist, lecturer |
| Known for | Founding director of the 8th of March Institute; leadership in gender equality and social justice campaigns |
| Awards | Vital Voices Global Leadership Award (2024), Slovenian Woman of the Year (2021) |
Nika Kovač (born 1993) is a Slovenian anthropologist, sociologist, activist, and lecturer. She is the founding director of the 8th of March Institute, a prominent movement-building and advocacy organization in Slovenia recognized for its campaigns on gender equality, social justice, and democratic participation.[1][2][3]
Education and early career
Kovač holds a master’s degree in social and cultural anthropology from the University of Ljubljana.[1] She was selected for the Obama Foundation Leaders: Europe program in 2020 and later as an Obama Scholar at Columbia University.[2][3]
Activism and leadership
In 2016, Kovač co-founded the 8th of March Institute (Inštitut 8. marec) in response to setbacks in LGBT rights and as a platform to address a broad range of social and gender inequalities in Slovenia.[4] As director, she has led the Institute in using storytelling, grassroots organizing, and legal advocacy to confront issues such as sexual violence, reproductive rights, and economic injustice.[1][2][3]
Kovač and her team initiated the Slovenian #jaztudi (#MeToo) campaign, breaking the silence around sexual violence and advocating for survivors.[5] Under her leadership, the Institute played a key role in the successful campaign to legally redefine rape in Slovenia, enacting the "yes means yes" affirmative consent standard.[3][6]
She has spoken publicly about facing threats and harassment due to her activism but continues to emphasize the importance of collective action and solidarity.[2][7]
Major campaigns
Kovač coordinated two landmark national referendum campaigns:
- In 2021, she led the campaign against the privatization and pollution of water, mobilizing over 600,000 citizens and resulting in the overwhelming rejection of the proposed law.[2][3]
- In 2022, she led the campaign to defend the independence of public media, contributing to a record 71% voter turnout in the general election.[3][8]
She has also coordinated the "My Voice, My Choice" campaign across Europe, advocating for reproductive rights and access to abortion.[1]
Publications and public engagement
Kovač is the author of Pogumne punce (Brave Girls), a collection of stories about women who changed history, and Moja odločitev (My Choice), which explores testimonies and prejudices regarding abortion in Slovenia.[1][5] She is a frequent public speaker and has served as a coordinator for the Itn. (Etc.) Festival of Engaged Writing, connecting youth, writers, and activists.[1][5]
Recognition
Kovač has received multiple awards for her activism, including:
She is widely credited with bringing the MeToo movement to Slovenia and for her role in advancing gender equality and democratic participation.[3][8]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Nika Kovač – IBBY Europe". IBBY Europe. 2024-01-01. Archived from the original on 2025-04-27. Retrieved 2025-04-20.
- ^ a b c d e "Young Slovenian Obama scholar spearheads the fight for water and equal rights". DW. 2021-09-12. Archived from the original on 2025-05-30. Retrieved 2025-04-20.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Nika Kovač – Vital Voices". Vital Voices. 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2025-04-20.
- ^ "Slovenian Femmergent Strategies & Movements". Guerrilla Foundation. 2024-09-11. Retrieved 2025-04-20.
- ^ a b c "Nika Kovač". City of Women. 2023-02-01. Archived from the original on 2025-04-27. Retrieved 2025-04-20.
- ^ "Nika Kovač – Columbia World Projects". Columbia World Projects. 2022-06-01. Retrieved 2025-04-20.
- ^ "Powerful men regularly incite hatred against her, so she mobilized volunteers to fight back". Shorty Awards. 2023-07-18. Retrieved 2025-04-20.
- ^ a b c "Activist honoured with Global Leadership award". The Slovenia Times. 2024-05-31. Archived from the original on 2024-12-23. Retrieved 2025-04-20.