Brankica Janković, the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, presented computer equipment to associations of women from rural areas at the House of Culture in the village of Prva Kutina, near Niška Banja, as part of the project “Empowerment of Women in Rural Areas of Serbia.”

The technical equipment was provided based on a previously conducted survey on the needs of the associations, with the aim of improving their work, making the implementation of educational and advocacy activities more efficient, as well as enhancing administrative and project organization.

The equipment was awarded to:

Irena Janković, from the association Ethno Magic (Etno Čarolija) from Niška Banja, in Prva Kutina

Ivana Miletić, from the association RUŽ in Rekovac

Desanka Pavlović, representing the association Hardworking Vlach Women (Vredne Vlajne) from Rudna Glava near Majdanpek

Karolina Stamenković, from the association Lužnica Handicrafts (Lužničke Rukotvorine) in Babušnica

“Women from rural areas are a special strength of our society – they possess knowledge and experience that is not acquired at universities, but passed down through generations. Investing in their visibility and empowerment means investing in a more equal and just society,” stated the Commissioner.

The goal of the project is to strengthen the capacities of women and girls from rural areas so that they are empowered to recognize and respond to gender-based discrimination and violence, as well as to actively participate in creating positive changes in their communities.

The project “Empowerment of Women in Rural Areas of Serbia” has been implemented by the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality for the fourth consecutive year, in cooperation with UN Women in Serbia and with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway in Belgrade.