2024-03-07

Debate: Long-term Effects of Gender Discrimination in the Labour Market

Centre Dialogue – Social Forum

On 7 March 2024, the Center for Democracy Foundation organised the debate: Long-term Effects of Gender Discrimination in the Labour Market, in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

Partaking in the discussion were: Tamara Šmidling, Kvinna till Kvinna; Svetlana Budimčević, Serbian Association of Employers; Jelena Ružić, Women's Association of Kolubara District (WAKD); Marija Martinić, United Branch Trade Union Independence; Biljana Maletin, Women's Development Platform of Serbia; Ivana Simonović, German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ); Dina Rakin, Coalition for Solidarity Economy Development; Kirsten Schönefeld, Friedrich Ebert Foundation; Nataša Vučković, Center for Democracy Foundation (CDF); Prof. Zorica Mršević, PhD, Attorney, Researcher and Human Rights Activist, and others. The discussion was moderated by Marija Šehić, Journalist.

Although the existing institutional and legislation frameworks should provide for equality and efficient protection from sex and gender-based discrimination, along with protection in the field of labour and employment, significant inequalities are still prevalent in the Serbian labour market, triggering long-term effects. Gender discrimination in labour manifests in various aspects - ranging from (in)ability of women to advance in their careers, assume higher positions and gain recognition in the workplace, lower salaries, negative effects of parenthood and caregiving, to inequalities pertaining to pension and consequently, financial insecurity.

How do long-term effects of lower salaries and fewer career breaks affect the financial stability of women? To what extent does gender-based discrimination throughout a woman’s career affect their pension? What support polices can mitigate negative effects that parenthood has on the lives of women? How does long-term discrimination in the labour market affect poverty in elderly women? To what extent do gender-specific stereotypes and expectations limit women’s professional choices and careers in the long run?

Our intention is for these and other questions raised by the participants to serve as a basis for considering the long-term effects of gender discrimination in the labour market, as well as identifying required interventions and policies to address them.

International Women's Day is an opportunity to direct attention to all the challenges women face today, but also to honour and express gratitude to all the women who have fought for the standards we enjoy today. This was the message of the debate.

We organised the following debate in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation – Centre Dialogue – Social Forum.