On the occasion of 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Commissioner for Protection of Equality Brankica Jankovic warns that domestic violence is still an enormous social problem that shows in the most drastic way that system of protection and prevention of gender based violence must be more efficient.

In order to contribute to reduction of violence against women, it is necessary that all relevant authorities, intellectuals and professionals from different social areas, but also influential individuals and politicians from public life, actively advocate for the change of social climate and patriarchal patterns where woman is in subordinated position, where violence is often relativized and placed in an inappropriate context.

Violence against women is unacceptable and that there is no justification for it, emphasizes Commissioner and states that full implementation of Law on the Prevention of Domestic Violence and all available measures for the prevention and protection of women is necessary, with a special emphasis on strengthening the capacities of the centers for social work. Women, but also everyone who has knowledge about it, must be encouraged to report intimidators, and it is up to the competent authorities to investigate these applications with extreme seriousness and respond in a timely manner to prevent fatal outcomes that are unfortunately not rare, concludes Jankovic.