Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković, participated in the conference “Social Sustainability as a Strategy: Turning Due Diligence into a Business Advantage,” organized by the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce.

Speaking in the conference’s opening panel, the Commissioner emphasized that business operations and the respect for human rights are not on opposing sides, but that an inclusive work environment, where different life experiences, knowledge, and personal characteristics of employees are value, actually represents the key to improving business and society as a whole.

The Commissioner particularly highlighted the importance of respecting gender equality and women’s participation in management structures, presenting the initiative of the institution of the Commissioner to amend a set of business laws that proposes the introduction of quotas for women in the management bodies of public and private companies, which has been submitted to the Ministry of Economy.

In her address, she also recalled the “Partnership for Equality” initiative, which the institution has been implementing for eight years in cooperation with numerous companies, with the aim of building a business environment that nurtures a human rights culture. She also spoke about the importance of employing persons with disabilities and making reasonable workplace accommodation, as prerequisites for dignified work and equal participation in the labor market.

The conference was opened by the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Serbia, Anke Konrad, and the event brought together numerous representatives of companies, institutions, and international organizations, with the aim of highlighting the concrete benefits of integrating human rights and social responsibility into business strategies.