International Women's Day 2023: Women in the Kolubara district continue their successful fight for economic empowerment and gender equality in Mionica

On the occasion of International Women's Day, the UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia, Francoise Jacob and the Minister for Human and Minority Rights, Tomislav Žigmanov­­, visited Slavica Ivanović's farm near Mionica, where members of the ŽUKO association, which gathers female farmers from the Kolubara district, had the opportunity to present their work.

"Serbia has made significant progress in improving the position of women and fighting against gender-based violence, but there is still a lot to be done in these areas, as well as in the economic empowerment of women. Their work in households is often invisible and unpaid," said Jacob.

Visitors had the opportunity to talk about the activities carried out by members of the ŽUKO association, the processes of making and creating their products, as well as to discuss the biggest challenges they face as women in agriculture.

"Unfortunately, we also note that gender-based violence, that sometimes results in femicide is still widespread. Therefore, in addition to everything that has been done, we must still work on a culture of non-violence, protection of victims, and strengthening the penal policy in this area," said Žigmanov.

He assessed that there are still challenges to further improve the situation in the field of social support when it comes to so-called invisible women's work, and politically, there is still an unfavorable situation in the number of women in important positions.

The Municipality of Mionica pays great attention to gender equality and strengthening the role of women in all aspects of life, but changes are still needed in the fight for a better socio-economic status of women in Serbia.

"Our members are currently working on an important campaign called 'What's My Share,' which focuses on distribution of inheritance between men and women. We also work on economic empowerment through the platform for selling agricultural products from the Kolubara district," said Jelena Ružić, President of the Women's Association of the Kolubara District.

The visit was organized in cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations in Serbia, the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Serbia, and the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights.