The ODIHR Report on Participatory Gender Audit - Advancing Gender Equality in the National Assembly, was presented in the National Assembly House today, followed by a roundtable discussion with MPs and employees of the National Assembly Support Service, on the topic: “Roadmap for the Adoption of the Work Plan for the Advancement of Gender Equality in the National Assembly ".
The event was opened by National Assembly Deputy Speaker Nevena Djuric, who said that Serbia is making significant progress in the field of gender equality. As an example, she cited the National Assembly, which, in addition to its active role in enacting laws guaranteeing equality, has also achieved notable results in terms of women's political participation, noting that in the current parliament, as many as 37.6% of MPs are women.
Aleksandar Markovic, Chairman of the Committee on Human and Minority Rights and Gender Equality, said that the audit clearly shows continued progress in terms of gender equality. While in 1990 there were only 1.6% women in parliament, today there are 37.6%. This is a significant success and confirmation that systemic changes are possible. He emphasised that this growth is the result of the implementation of mandatory quotas, as well as of the increasing interest and willingness of women to participate in the electoral process.
"The parliament is a mirror of society. If there is no space for all voices in it, then there is no balance. If the experiences of men and women are not equally present, then that picture is not complete. That is why this Report, which we have drafted with ODIHR, is an important step in looking at ourselves. The parliament should be a place where women can not only work, but want to work, where they can progress and be supported. As the Chairman of the Committee on Human and Minority Rights and Gender Equality, I want to emphasise that we will continue to work toward this. Serbia has the strength to move forward, but progress requires a willingness to change habits, to talk and to recognise where we can do better," Markovic said.
The Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Marcel Pesko, stressed that the OSCE Mission supports the National Assembly in the integration of the gender perspective and institutional reform. "Promoting gender equality is not only a democratic obligation, it is essential for building inclusive, resilient and secure societies. We cannot talk about complete security unless we also fully achieve gender equality," Pesko added.
In the continuation of the programme, ODIHR Gender Equality Advisor Sasa Gavric presented the Report on Participatory Gender Audit - Advancing Gender Equality in the National Assembly.
After the presentation of the Report, a roundtable discussion was held with MPs and employees of the National Assembly Support Service, on the topic: "Roadmap for the Adoption of the Work Plan for the Advancement of Gender Equality in the National Assembly".
