• 2022-03-08

CDF Announcement: International Women’s Day

If Serbia continues at its current pace, it will take the country as long as 59 years to achieve full gender equality - as indicated in data provided in the latest RS Gender Equality Index (2021).

In response to International Women’s Day, the Center for Democracy Foundation warns of the inequality, discrimination and violence the women of Serbia are exposed to and reminds those in power of the fact that in addition to an appropriate institutional and legal framework, it is imperative that their practical application is ensured in the achievement of true gender equality.

The inequality of women in Serbia is present in all areas, as indicated in a number of reports drafted by international and domestic institutions and organisations. With a gender equality index of 58.0, Serbia lags 9.4 points behind EU Member State averages. The largest gap between the EU-27 and Serbia is present in the following domains: money (21.9) and time (16.2).

The economic empowerment of women is the foundation upon which gender equality is achieved, as are sustainable development and the achievement of the set 2030 UN Agenda goals. The earnings of women are lower than those of men at all levels of education, in all occupations and in almost all sectors of activity. Furthermore, women make up the majority of so-called ‘lower status’ occupations (61%), characterised by poor working conditions and low wages.

In Serbia, patriarchal attitudes and stereotypes regarding the roles, responsibilities and expected behaviours of women and men in society and in the family continue to prevail. This requires increased efforts to raise awareness concerning gender stereotypes. It is necessary to introduce gender perspective in all public policy and at all levels of government. 

Center for Democracy Foundation 

Photo credit: www.unwomen.org