“In these times of shocking statistics testifying of rampant violence against women and brutal crime reports in the papers, International Women's Day is a moment we should stop and think about the position of women in Serbia. With due respect to all women, today I would like to make an exception and address the men with the following plea.

Honoured husbands, sons, brothers, boyfriends, it does not matter if today you present your mother, wife, sister or girlfriend, like in the old days, with a flower and five minutes of attention, today, it is important that you understand that you should be better and more attentive to them every single day.

Today is the right moment for everyone who still hasn’t, to understand and accept the fact that we are all the same and that gender makes us neither more beautiful nor weaker, nor stronger for that matter.

The fight for gender equality belongs to both genders and is a necessary civilizational step forward, it is a prerequisite of democracy and a human rights and liberties issue. However, today I chose not to remind you, dear citizens of Serbia, of the considerable political and institutional progress we have made in the last years, but to heartily congratulate Women’s Day and rally you for understanding, unity and support that, first and foremost, men should offer women in our common struggle to create a better place to live”.