The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković, attended the 57th session of the UN Commission on Population and Development, which was held from April 29 to May 3 in New York, as a member of the official delegation of the Republic of Serbia.

The session’s topic was the assessment of the status of the implementation of the Action Program of the International Conference on Population and Development ICPD, 30 years after its adoption, and its contribution to the monitoring and revision of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development during the decade of action and realization of sustainable development.

During her presentation, the Commissioner pointed out that the Commissioner undertakes various activities following the crucial messages from the UN Secretary General’s report regarding the progress of ICPD implementation, as well as that the Republic of Serbia, through the Institution’s activities, is committed to protecting the fundamental human rights of particularly sensitive social groups. She said that after submitting a special report of the CPE on discrimination of the elderly and discrimination of children to the National Assembly, the issues of the rights of the elderly and children were put in the focus of public policies. The Commissioner also reminded of the regional Call for action to stop discrimination based on age sent three years ago from Belgrade at the regional conference.

Janković stated that a significant focus of the Institution’s work is aimed at preventing all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls, improving sexual and reproductive rights, and reducing menstrual poverty. She particularly emphasized the danger of gender-based violence in the digital space and presented the #Bodyright campaign jointly initiated by the Commissioner and UNFPA Serbia.

On the conference’s third day, the Commissioner spoke at accompanying events about the importance of intergenerational cooperation and exchanging knowledge, experience, and emotions for the stability of societies and demographic resilience in the current global demographic changes. On that occasion, she also announced the beginning of the construction of intergenerational resource centers in local communities in cooperation with UNFPA Serbia, with the support of SDC. Janković also pointed out the importance of digital literacy of our oldest citizens to prevent their digital exclusion and discrimination as effectively as possible, which is one of the main goals in the Republic of Serbia and highlighted as essential activities that are carried out to create programs adapted to the needs of the oldest citizens.