Pro Femina: A Club Where Women Come to Slow Down

The club was founded by friends Aida and Amna, who came up with the idea during long conversations over coffee. They realized that meetings with friends had become too short, conversations increasingly superficial, and opportunities for genuine connection far too rare. Instead of creating another formal event, workshop, or lecture, they wanted to build a place where women could simply arrive, relax, and dedicate a few hours entirely to themselves.

Pro Femina is intended for women looking to step away from the demands of everyday life and, for a moment, leave behind job titles, responsibilities, and the expectations that come with different life roles. Gatherings take place in small groups of no more than ten participants, creating a relaxed atmosphere that encourages deeper conversations and a genuine sense of trust.

A key part of the club's philosophy is creating a safe and welcoming environment. The so-called Las Vegas Rule means that everything shared during a gathering stays within the group. Another principle, called the No Fixing Shield, encourages members not to offer unsolicited advice or ready-made solutions, but instead to provide understanding, support, and the opportunity for every woman to simply be heard.

Unlike many gatherings held in busy cafés or formal venues, Pro Femina places great importance on its atmosphere. Meetings take place in a thoughtfully designed private space, with beautifully decorated tables, candles, flowers, cocktails, mocktails, and a carefully curated selection of light bites. Every detail is intended to create a sense of warmth, comfort, and relaxation.

At Pro Femina, self-care is seen not as a luxury, but as a necessity. That is why the club focuses not only on conversation and mutual support but also on enjoying the small pleasures that everyday life often pushes aside. Spending time in a beautiful setting, sharing meaningful conversations, enjoying a carefully prepared drink, and feeling a sense of belonging are all essential parts of the club's philosophy.

This is precisely what sets Pro Femina apart from similar gatherings. Women are welcome to attend after a demanding workday without makeup and dressed comfortably, or after taking the time to get ready for an evening out. There are no expectations about how anyone should look, behave, or what they should prove. The goal is simple: for every woman to feel comfortable exactly as she is.

The club's first programme is called the Un-Book Club. Rather than following the traditional book club format with required reading, participants receive a short article or podcast before each gathering to inspire conversation. The emphasis is not on analyzing the content itself, but on sharing personal experiences, stories, and reflections on everyday life.

More gathering formats are already planned. Pro Femina will introduce informal evenings dedicated to conversation and relaxation, morning rituals designed to help women slow down, and movie nights created especially for its members.

Although conversation and mutual support are at the heart of the club, another equally important part of its philosophy is celebrating life's simple pleasures. Pro Femina embraces the idea that hedonism does not have to mean extravagant luxury - it can simply mean making time for yourself, enjoying beautiful surroundings, meaningful company, and the small moments that restore your energy.

At its core, Pro Femina is not a place where women come to become better, more successful, or more productive. It is a place where they can slow down for a few hours, take a break from the everyday rush, laugh, talk, and remind themselves of how important it is to make time for themselves. That is why this Sarajevo-based club hopes to become a small oasis of friendship, support, meaningful conversations, and the simple joy of living.

• Written by Anja Petrović / HEDONIST