Throughout the war, rape of women was used as a weapon of ethnic cleansing. Tens of thousands of women were raped. Rape in war is an attempt to dominate, humiliate, and control the behavior of a woman, her family, and her community. Rape destroys a woman's sense of self and identity. Medica was founded by a German physician in January 1993 to provide medical and psychological care for women rape survivors in a comfortable, nurturing environment. Fifteen to 20 women live in each of the three Medica houses built in the Zenica region.

Meliha, 24 years old, came to Medica in 1994 from Visegrad. Chetniks kidnapped her youngest sister right before her eyes. She said her sister was very pretty. She didn't want to talk about the incident any further. Meliha began working in the public affairs office of Medica in 1995 while she continued her studies in metallurgy and engineering at the university in Zenica.

We visited Medica shortly after March 8 -- International Women's Day -- a much celebrated holiday in Bosnia. The women of Medica were working on weavings, hair styling, and cooking. Zilha, the coordinator of Medica 2 and a refugee herself from Zepa, explained that "memories always come back" to the residents, at any time. Past residents are always welcomed back for care. Medica operates a kindergarten for 38 children from the collective center.

"My wish is for the war to stop. I want to go back to my town of Doboj for my birthday. I was happy there and I want them to stop this suffering and killing. I don't want to see them in my country. Before, everyone was happy, and I ask myself, why did they take everything from us? Some of the children lost their parents only because of this stupid war. Before, I walked this country, now I wait for grenades. I want peace for my Bosnia."

-- Sabina Basic, nine years old