Home is not always the most secure place for woman, as usually perceived, because great number of them feels fear in their home – a fear that overthrows their dignity, said Commissioner for Protection of Equality Brankica Jankovic at the session of AP Vojvodina Parliament Security Board, dedicated to violence against women. Commissioner said that the facts that more than 2/3 of femicides happen at home and that more than 70% of women experience some kind of sexual harassment, stalking or partner violence after the age of 15, indicate that this fear is reasonable.

That is why it is important to speak publicly about the violence and it is especially important that we are discussing this issue at the Security Board session. This is a good way to include and embrace the concept of human safety in the national security system, which is very significant for everyday life, said Jankovic. Commissioner announced that she would initiate sessions of boards in charge for security in the National Parliament of the Republic of Serbia.

Commissioner also pointed to major role of media. Although there are some improvements in the way in which media report about femicide, Jankovic reminded of titles such are: “Man shot a waitress because of unrequited love” or “Man set a woman on fire because she had a lover”… It is absolutely impermissible and a wrong way to draw attention to a problem. What we always have to say and send as a message is that – no woman is responsible for violence against her, nor violence against women may be perceived as a part of culture of tradition, emphasized Commissioner.  She remarked that court decisions are often published in media, while mild sanctions are being underlined, which demotivates women to report violence. Also, it should be noted that courts often accept drunkenness, young or old age and even unemployment as extenuating circumstances.

Ten men, members of the Board, attended the session of AP Vojvodina Parliament Security Board and spoke very constructively on this subject. Board composition also shows the unequal power relations of men and women, because men are mostly members of boards in charge of security policies at national and other levels. Among speakers at the session were also Board President Miroslav Spanovic, Province Ombudsman deputy Aniko Sirkova and MP and President of Sport and Youth Board Stojanka Lekic.