Parity respected, abortion rights contested
Gender equality was one of the conditions for joining the European Union. During the last war (1991-1995), women in Croatia suffered from a hardening of the paternalistic social structure, especially in rural areas. The birth control policy had relegated women to their sole function as mothers. It was not until the militant action of feminists (2000s) that legislation began to sanction conjugal violence and to encourage greater parity in the workplace, particularly in the political sphere.
Another struggle for women is the right to abortion. Although it was passed during the Yugoslav era, it is regularly challenged by reluctant doctors, who are supported in their "case of conscience" by very active anti-abortion activists, as in the United States. The "Marches for Life" attract people every year. In May 2022, several thousand people demonstrated against abortion when a surrogate mother of a sick child was denied her request to terminate a pregnancy by four Zagreb hospitals. Public pressure finally forced a medical commission to allow the abortion.
A quality education system
Education in public primary and secondary schools is free. Pupils enter the first grade at the age of seven, where they begin to learn English - almost all young Croatians are fluent in at least one foreign language.
In primary school, children have four to five hours of classes per day, five days a week, from 8 a.m. to noon. In secondary school, students alternate these five days, one week in the morning (8am-1pm), one week in the afternoon (2pm-7pm). There is no canteen, but the students have more time for sports classes, music, dance and art classes. The summer vacations last from mid-June to the beginning of September, plus two weeks at Christmas and one at Easter.
Secondary schools are divided into general (gymnasiums), vocational (technical, industrial, handicraft) and artistic (music, dance, visual arts) programs. After four years, students must pass a final exam called "maturité" (baccalaureate level) in order to enroll in a faculty. Since 2009, the universities apply the Bologna system, the diploma obtained in Croatia has its equivalences in the whole EU.
A foreign student can obtain a scholarship from the Croatian government. Selected candidates will receive undergraduate/graduate studies (A1, A2, B), a monthly grant of 1,600 kuna, a return ticket to the home country, insurance and free accommodation in a student residence (www.studyincroatia.hr).
Many young Croatian graduates go to study abroad and often stay there. A reform of education is necessary to renew the programs, to affirm the financial commitment of the State, which should promote access to higher education, continuous training in line with the demands of the labor market.
The family, between traditionalism, mutual aid and solidarity
In a country with a neo-liberal economy, where financial aid from the State is insignificant, family solidarity is not an empty word. In the countryside, when young people are old enough to become independent, if they don't have the means to settle down, a floor is raised for them. Three or even four generations share the same roof. It's also common for young people working abroad to send money home to their parents.
The attachment of many Croats to the defense of traditional Christian values has repercussions on society. In 2013, for example, a referendum called by Catholic associations focused on the constitutional definition of marriage as "the foundation of the family and society". It enshrined only one possible union, that of a man and a woman. Of those who voted, 65.76% said no to gay marriage. After a virulent debate of ideas, the Church swayed the Constitutional Court, and the teaching of sex education was also banned in schools. In July 2014, Parliament nevertheless passed a law authorizing civil unions between people of the same sex, granting them the same rights in terms of inheritance, social benefits and taxation, but excluding the right to adopt children. Following a court ruling (2020), same-sex couples can now apply to adopt a child. While homophobic behavior still worries LGBTQI rights activists, gay rights are more widely accepted. The small community is enjoying greater visibility thanks to new associative venues and festive events such as Gay Pride.
A modern health care system
Reliable forensic medicine operates to rigorous quality standards. Private clinics offer medical tourism (cosmetic and dental surgery). For Croatian users, the compulsory social security system includes sickness-maternity, invalidity-old-age-death and unemployment insurance, but provides meagre family benefits. There is no specific insurance for work-related accidents or illnesses. Care for the sick and destitute is covered by private health insurance and pension funds. However, the high cost of healthcare means that grandmother's remedies are often preferred.
The retirement age in Croatia is 65 for men and 63 for women - an increase of 3 months a year is planned for the latter, to reach 65 by 2030.
A social cohesion that promotes the values of honesty
Corruption and cronyism are still rampant, even in the administration, police, schools and hospitals, leaving part of the population more or less apathetic. People deplore these practices but live with them. Slipping a small envelope into the hands of government officials "can" make things better, speeding up patient care for example. Since joining the EU, this scourge has declined, but according to recent surveys, it remains one of the driving forces behind youth emigration. Elected representatives, sports club directors and company directors have all been convicted.
Street crime, on the other hand, is very low. Nevertheless, it is advisable to apply basic rules of caution, particularly in summer in seaside resorts (pickpockets). In restaurants, it's best to double-check your bill, but Croatia remains a safe country. The Global Peace Index, which ranks 163 countries worldwide according to their degree of pacifism, taking into account the extent of their involvement in local and international conflicts and the degree of harmony or discord within the country, placed Croatia in 14th position in 2023, behind Slovenia (8th) but well ahead of Bosnia-Herzegovina (61st) and France (67th).
