The position of women in terms of realized human rights is different than it used to be, but the real influence of women is much smaller than it seems from their visible representation in all decision-making places, said Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković, at the event called” Gender equality – from priority to identity crisis”, organized by the Commissioner’s institution in cooperation with the UNDP office in Serbia.

In her opening address, the Commissioner pointed out that the topic of gender equality has been high on the agenda for the last two decades, with the idea that legislation will lead to the solution of all the problems faced by women and girls. However, in the meantime, this question is being raised more and more frequently in the public eye as a specific problem, and it is evident that there are not enough female voices and opinions in the news and shows on certain topics.

Journalists debated on the position of women and gender equality and the role of the media in achieving it within two discussions: “Law and practice – what has our struggle given us” and “Gender equality – an apple of discord?” The panelists were: Jelka Jovanović – Novi Magazin, Ana Manojlović – RTS, Jovana Gligorijević – Vreme, Mia Bjelogrlić – N1, Katarina Đorđević – Politika, Ljubica Gojgić – RTV, Miša Stoiljković – Radio Belgrade, Petar Jeremić -Wireless Media Group, Robert Čoban – Color Press Group, Ranko Pivljanin – Nova S and Milan Nikolić – Insajder.

In the opening address, attendees were addressed by the Permanent Representative of UNDP, Yakup Beris. Professor at the Faculty of Law in Belgrade, Ivana Krstić, presented the “Handbook for Journalists – Discrimination and Equality” created in cooperation with the OSCE Mission in Serbia, while Adam Sofronijević from the University Library ” Svetozar Marković” presented the exhibition “Real women in the cultural heritage of Serbia.”