Mothers for Peace (Bedem Ljubavi) is a women’s non-governmental organization established in early 1991 in Croatia as a response to the escalating tensions leading to the breakup of Yugoslavia. The organization was formed by Croatian mothers and wives protesting the forced conscription of their sons and husbands into the Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA) at a time when Croatia was fighting for independence.
One of the group’s most significant actions was a mass protest in late August 1991, where tens of thousands of women gathered around JNA barracks, demanding the release of Croatian conscripts. Representatives of Mothers for Peace also traveled to Belgrade to petition for their cause and to Brussels, where they urged international leaders to recognize Croatia’s independence to prevent further bloodshed.
The Canadian branch of Mothers for Peace, led by Valentina Krčmar and other Canadian-Croatian women in Toronto, played a crucial role in raising awareness about the war in Croatia. The group mobilized the Croatian diaspora in Canada, lobbying for international support and providing humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict. Their work extended beyond advocacy, as they also exposed war crimes and sought justice for victims of ethnic cleansing in Croatia and Bosnia.
As one of the most influential women’s movements during the Croatian War of Independence, Mothers for Peace remains a symbol of courage, resistance, and the power of grassroots activism in shaping national and international policies. Their efforts not only contributed to the global recognition of Croatia’s struggle but also served as an enduring example of the role women play in advocating for peace and human rights in times of war.