Commissioner for Protection of Equality Brankica Jankovic attended official ratification of the Alliance on Gender Equality in business environment, which was signed by 6 leading domestic and foreign companies at the Kopaonik Business Forum – Ikea, Mastercard, Telenor, Delta Holding, Asseco and UniCredit Bank.

In her addressing to participants, Commissioner welcomed this initiative and stressed that the economy may not be separated from the people. Reminding of the fact that the equality of woman and men was an important issue last year, both in Davos and Kopaonik, she expressed her satisfaction that our greatest Business forum has continued this practice. Our well known proverb has therefore gained another meaning: that behind every successful man stands equally successful woman.

“This important step towards the improvement of gender equality says a lot about the awareness of the employers and fact that human rights and business are not on the opposite, but on the same side and that there are companies which demonstrate the possibility to simultaneously lead successful business and respect the equality of all employees, because human rights have no sex”, said Jankovic.

Commissioner stressed that the improvement of gender equality does not only create a tolerant society, but also can improve business, because it offers diversity of perspectives, talents and knowledge. She reminded that Commissioner for Protection of Equality created unique anti-discrimination guide with aim to help the employers – Code of Equality, which was accepted in many companies.

The initiators of ratification of the Alliance on Gender Equality in business environment were companies Ikea and Association for Female Affirmation (AFA) with support from the Embassy of Sweden.