The Ukrainian guest wanted to know about Serbia’s experiences in pursuing gender equality policies. She stressed that the Ministry is preparing a reform of the Labour Law, aimed at ensuring equal participation of women and men in the field of employment.

The Committee Chairperson briefed the delegation of the Ukrainian Ministry of Social Policy on the authority and work of the Gender Equality Committee, stating that awareness of the importance of gender equality has been considerably raised in Serbia in the past few years.

Gordana Paunovic-Milosavljevic stressed that the amendments to the Law on Election of Deputies stipulate that every third candidate on an electoral list has to be a woman and that the current convocation of the National Assembly has 25 women. She said that in December 2009 the National Assembly adopted a Gender Equality Law followed by other laws protecting the rights of women (anti-mobbing, against violence against women and domestic violence etc.). To ensure the implementation of the law, the Committee also held sittings in various local communities. In the realisation of the planned activities, the Committee cooperates with the Government’s Gender Equality Council and Gender Equality Directorate at the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy. She also said that the situation as regards the employment of women in Serbia has improved and the numbers of women entrepreneurs have swelled.

The Committee Chairperson emphasised the support the Committee receives from the UNDP Office in Serbia.

The delegation of the Ukrainian Ministry of Social Policy comprised the heads of several Ministry departments and sectors in charge of social policy and social welfare, as well as strategic planning.