Gradska opstina Palilula

“In the past three years, Serbia has done a lot to promote gender equality, which is also shown in the report of the World Economic Forum, according to which Serbia is at the 40th place in this area of 144 countries. It is now important to transfer this process to the local level and create the conditions for greater involvement of the less represented sex in the political, economic and social life of our city and country, “said the Deputy Prime Minister and president of the Coordination Body for Gender Equality, prof. dr Zorana Mihajlović. She opened the conference “Local mechanisms for gender equality – on the road to achieving gender equality policies at the local level”, reminding that Serbia is the only country outside the European Union that has introduced the Gender Equality Index, as well as gender-responsive budgeting.

“Five years ago, only four local governments signed the European Charter for Gender Equality, today there are 46. We have made progress, in some areas we are better than the regions and countries of the European Union, while in some areas, such as the labor market, we have to we are doing even more, “Mihajlovic said. Vice President and Minister Mihajlovic emphasized that Serbia today has only 10 female mayors and female municipal presidents, and reminded that each local self-government should have a plan of activities for gender equality and at least one person in charge of coordinating local institutions in this field. “We created conditions at the republic level, it is now important that we carry out these measures at the local level. The co-ordination body is here to give you support and help to reduce the gap in gender equality and that all citizens have equal opportunities, “Mihajlovic said.

Filip Ge Switzerland Ambassador to Serbia emphasized that Switzerland supports our country’s efforts to promote gender equality, stressing that the gender component will be encouraged in the new Swiss Cooperation Strategy with Serbia. “The new Cooperation Strategy with Serbia, to be adopted by the Government of Switzerland, envisages a higher budget than before. We will pay special attention to gender equality and support for local governments, “said Ge.

Michelle Saint Lau, в. the UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia thanked the Vice Prime Ministers for their achievements, saying that it is very important that Serbia will soon receive a new Law on Gender Equality, since this is essential for a better position of both women and men in Serbia. ” On behalf of the Palilula Municipality, the conference participant was Adriana Anastasov, President of the Assembly.