Contributed by: Vanja Mikulic and Irena Milatovic, Montenegro National VAW Monitors
SOS Hotline for Women and Children Victims of Violence Niksic organised a fourth seminar, entitled, “Gender Equality – Base of Democracy” from 30 September to 1 October for the representatives of political parties. The two-day seminar was organised with the financial support of CIDA and with the participation of activists of the Serbian Peoples Party from Niksic.
The aim of the seminar was to increase the level of knowledge among members of political parties on gender equality principles and discrimination against women in the family and society. Participants were introduced to the concept of human rights, gender equality principles, stereotypes in our society, the role of women and men,
and domestic and international mechanisms of gender equality. The Declaration on Gender Equality, which was signed by representatives of six parties in Niksic upon the initiative of SOS Niksic, was discussed, as was the politics of women’s ways and participation of women in power and decision-making in Montenegro. The seminar was organised within the “Program of coordinated activities for elimination of domestic violence in Niksic” which has been conducted by SOS Niksic since 2003. Until now, seminars were attended by activists of the Social-democratic Party, Democratic Party of Socialists and Socialistic Peoples Party. Two more seminars for representatives of the remaining political parties in Niksic are planned.
Source: SOS Hotline for Women and Children Victims of Violence Niksic