Despite deeply rooted stereotypes and prejudices and thanks to clear political will, engagement of state bodies, but also to activism of civil society organizations and academic community, the first NAP was successfully ended in security sector, stressed Commissioner for Protection of Equality Brankica Jankovic at the presentation of results of project “Go Forward”, which was realized within National Action Plan for implementing UN Resolution 1325 “Women, Peace and Security in RS 2017-2020”.

Commissioner said that today we have extraordinary women with high military ranks, doctorates and serious expert status, who are facing the “glass ceiling” phenomenon i.e. incapability to advance on their professional path, because of stereotypes and prejudices. Quoting Martin Luther King, she said that there is a time when one must take a stance which is not safe, nor political or popular, but it has to be taken, because our consciousness is telling us it is right. That is why we define NAP as the foundation and a milestone that will demonstrate whether we remain committed to proclaimed values, especially to the increased participation of women in the security sector, and whether we are ready to make a major step forward in their implementation. Overcoming the stereotypical and conservative attitude towards women in all segments of life contributes to the creation of an open society that is characterized by solidarity, equality and well-being, said Jankovic.

The Minister of the Serbian Government, Slavica Djukic Dejanovic and Natasa Milojevic, the President of the Social and Democratic Initiative Fund, also took part at the presentation of the results of the “Go Forward” project.