Speaking at the opening of the “21st Century Woman” conference organized by UNRAD, the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković, stated that women in the 21st century are in a much better position compared to their mothers or grandmothers. However, she emphasized that these challenging times remind us that freedoms and rights once won are not always guaranteed — they must be continuously strengthened and the fight never ends. In these efforts, events like this are extremely important, not only because they raise awareness regarding women’s rights within the broader community but also because they provide an opportunity for women to empower one another.
She stressed that women are particularly vulnerable in the areas of work and employment, as evidenced by the large number of complaints received by the Commissioner. As a specific challenge — one that exists in other countries as well — she pointed out the wage gap between men and women for work of same value, which in Serbia stands at 8.8%. She also emphasized that a major issue is achieving life and work balance. Many women face so-called “motherhood penalties,” being punished in the labor market due to pregnancy and maternity leave, while men in similar roles rarely face professional consequences. Employers often avoid hiring women in “reproductive age” because they perceive them as a “risk” to the company.
The Commissioner also addressed the issue of unpaid labor, with women still taking on the majority of household and caregiving duties — a fact that society often takes for granted. Although this type of labor is invisible in economic statistics, it has a huge impact on the quality of life for both families and society as a whole. Additionally, she said that both women and men in our society do not pay enough attention to their physical and mental health, and that this narrative and these habits need to change in order to improve their quality of life.
This was the third in a series of conferences organized by the Union for National Development, Affirmation and Social Dialogue (UNRAD), with the participation of renowned experts from various fields and numerous public figures. The conference was held as part of the RodnoSrodne project, which aims to promote universal values, encourage prevention care, and foster open dialogue on all important aspects of a woman’s life in the 21st century.
