Equal, Safe, Empowered

On November 25, 2024, a conference titled “Equal, Safe, Empowered” was held to mark the beginning of this year’s “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign. The event was attended by the President of the Republic of Serbia, the Vice President of the National Assembly, numerous government ministers, ambassadors, and civil sector representatives.

President Vučić emphasized the severity of the issue: "According to the data, the number of emergency measures issued this year will be around 30,000, which is 2,000 fewer than last year. It's a significant number, underscoring the importance of openly discussing violence. Recently, I have demanded a zero-tolerance policy toward those involved in violence, no matter their role in society."

Minister without portfolio responsible for gender equality, the prevention of violence against women, and the economic and political empowerment of women, Tatjana Macura, highlighted the alarming fact that one in five girls in Serbia has experienced violence. Of those, 74% did not feel confident enough to report their experiences to institutions or family. In the past decade, Serbia has seen over 400 women killed, according to media reports, with only 3% of these victims having previously reported abuse.

"Our ultimate goal is to build a society free from violence, one that is empathetic, supportive, and does not tolerate abuse. Institutions must be there for all women and girls who are victims of violence, providing a strong response to such acts," Macura emphasized and encouraged victims to report violence by calling the helpline at 192.

Charlotte Samelin, the Ambassador of Sweden, participated in the panel discussion alongside Macura and Matilde Mort, the UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia. Mort pointed out the challenges of addressing gender inequality saying, "Violence against women and girls cannot be prevented or eliminated in the long term unless we address the root causes that perpetuate gender inequality. The UN works with diverse partners and engages directly with society to promote gender equality and prevent gender-based violence. Improving data collection and public education campaigns remain key priorities.”

Plamena Halačeva also participated in this important dialogue, emphasizing that despite progress, much work remains to be done in promoting gender equality within the EU. "According to the latest Gender Equality Index published by the European Institute for Gender Equality, the average score for the 27 EU member states is 70.2 out of 100. Today, only Sweden, with a score above 80, is nearing gender equality. Sweden accounts for just about two percent of the EU's population, indicating the work that still needs to be done. We must not allow efforts on gender equality to be de-prioritized," she asserted.

This conference marks a continued commitment to advocate for a safe and equal society for all, emphasizing the necessity of collective action from governments, institutions, and civil society.