Lifestyle

Sexist Posters in Zagreb Trams Cause Controversy

By 3 January 2019

Since early morning, social networks users in Croatia are sharing a photo of an unbelievable poster which has been photographed in one of Zagreb trams. The “educational” poster in question should supposedly warn users about the harmfulness of drinking alcohol. However, many believe that the posters actually spread sexism, reports Telegram on January 3, 2019.

The first section, which refers to men, claims that alcohol has a bad influence on sex life and reproduction of men and reduces their sexual desire, sexual power and erection. That, they say, results in a lack of confidence.

This is followed by a second section, rather absurd, warning that drunk women like to engage in sex with random people. The poster says, "With women, alcohol leads to irresponsible sexual intercourses with unknown persons, menstrual cycle disorders and pregnancy. Through the placenta, alcohol also enters the blood of a child which can cause physical disabilities and mental retardation, the so-called fetal alcohol syndrome. "

The ZET public transportation company has confirmed that the posters can be found in its trams. Asked how did they get there, they said that the question should be sent to the B1 company that places posters in trams. The company said that the posters are part of an educational campaign and that they have been prepared by the Zagreb City Office for Health. Reporters have contacted the head of the City Office for Health, Vjekoslav Jeleč, but his answer is still pending.

According to info on the poster itself, it was created together by the Zagreb City Office for Health and the Centre for Education, Counselling and Personal Development CEDAR. The centre explained that the poster is part of the public drive “Healthy Choice”, which is complementary to the preventive project “Healthy!” which they have been implementing together with secondary schools since 2012. The campaign is aimed at preventing high school students from experimenting with alcohol.

Centre president Ksenija Rissi said that high school students made the posters and that they "wanted to send a message to their peers about potential direct and indirect harmful effects of drinking alcohol.”

CEDAR is, according to its website, a centre that "advises, educates and empowers individuals, families and groups in order to achieve a better quality of life and to have an active and responsible relationship with themselves and their surroundings.”

The centre thanks its donors who have supported the implementation of their projects and programmes, and the list includes, among others, the City of Zagreb, its Offices for Social Welfare and Health, and the Ministries of Family and Health.

More news on Zagreb can be found in our dedicated section.

Translated from Telegram (reported by Vedran Vrabec).

Search