Zorana Parezanović, 32

Zorana Parezanović is a youth feminist advocate, dedicated to the protection of victims of human trafficking and gender-based violence. She is a social worker by profession, with extensive experience in social welfare politics. A significant part of her work is devoted to the empowerment of young girls and women who survived gender-based violence. 

Current Professional Engagement: Program coordinator in ATINA - Citizens' Association for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and All Forms of gender-based violence.

What inspires your work on ending childhood sexual violence? 

My work on ending childhood sexual violence is inspired by a deep belief that all children deserve the right to childhood, education, and safety. I believe that children should have the opportunity to live in a world where they are protected and not treated as objects of sexual exploitation. A child's greatest worry and pain should be healing a small wound from playing on the playground, not a trauma that can leave scars for a lifetime. 

Share one highlight from your experience in the SPROUT fellowship

A highlight of my experience in the SPROUT fellowship was networking with advocates from different parts of the world. In a safe and supportive environment, we were able to discuss and exchange experiences on child sexual violence prevention. Additionally, creating a sense of community, as opposed to individual struggle, transformed my views on the development of my future career and activism.