The issue of gender-based violence and discrimination is extremely complex and affects society as a whole. The business community must be part of the solution by creating a supportive environment in which women feel safe to report violence or sexual harassment, said the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković, during the panel discussion “Creating a Safe Space for All,” held as part of the PepsiCo project of the same name.

The Commissioner also spoke about the importance of recognizing and combating various forms of discrimination in the workplace. She emphasized that in the field of labor and employment, the most prominent forms of discrimination for years have been based on gender, marital and family status, as well as age, disability, and other grounds, which often occur cumulatively.

Janković noted that an increasing number of employers are recognizing the importance of respecting equality and are taking steps to create an inclusive work environment. She emphasized that equality is more than just legal provisions and procedures—it is a model of behavior and the acceptance of the diversity of all employees. The message sent by company leaders is of great importance, as their actions shape the working atmosphere that employees adapt to, the Commissioner concluded.

In the hybrid-format discussion, which was also attended by PepsiCo employees, Vanja Macanović of the Autonomous Women’s Center, Gorica Ivić from the organization United Women (BiH), as well as company representatives from various sectors: Ljiljana Ljubisavljević, Ana Vidović, Anita Todorović, Ivana Vukić, and Diksha Chopra, also participated.