LocationsLaunch of the 16 Days of activism against gender-based violence campaign
Stereotypes are at the root of discrimination
November 25, 2024
UNDP/Ivan Mandić and Nebojša Perković
Podgorica, November 25, 2024 – The scope of gender-based violence in Montenegro calls for urgent action, as every unaddressed case represents a failure of both society and the system. Recognition, prevention, and support for victims of violence are not merely human rights issues but also a collective societal responsibility. Institutions play a pivotal role in building a society where justice, dignity, and safety are accessible to all.
This was emphasized at an event marking the launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, organized by UNDP in cooperation with the Assembly of the Capital City and the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Dialogue. his year's UNDP campaign, which begins on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, highlights how deeply rooted stereotypes contribute to creating an environment that fosters violence. At the heart of this campaign are the voices of women from Montenegro from various fields who will share their personal experiences with stereotypes, sending a collective message about their broader impact and explaining why it is crucial to challenge them.
Kaća Đuričković, leader of the UNDP Gender Equality team, stated that this year's campaign focuses on exposing stereotypes that support patriarchal patterns, thereby creating a foundation for discrimination and violence.
“The 16 Days of Activism Campaign is rooted in women's activism, and over the next two weeks, the simplest message is expected to resonate worldwide, including in Montenegro: every woman has the right to life and the right to live a life free from violence. Therefore, this year, we are dismantling the foundations of patriarchy by exposing and combating deeply ingrained negative norms, harmful gender stereotypes, and practices that support a culture of discrimination and violence, with a focus on achieving women’s human rights”, Đuričković said.
Minister of Labor, Employment, and Social Dialogue, Naida Nišić, highlighted that gender-based violence cannot be addressed by a single institution or sector but requires coordinated efforts across various stakeholders, including police, prosecutors, and courts, as well as healthcare and social services, local governments, civil society organizations, and the media.
“Collaborative efforts are key to creating a system that delivers justice and protection for victims. This is both a personal and professional priority for me. I am fully committed to mobilizing the entire government to intensify efforts on this issue, demonstrating that a societal consensus is not only possible but essential in the fight against violence against women. Our mission is clear: no woman should be left to face this alone. Every report of violence must be taken seriously, and every victim must receive the necessary support and protection”, Nišić emphasized.
An important component of this year's UNDP campaign is capacity-building for local government employees in the area of gender equality.
President of the Capital City Assembly, Jelena Borovinić-Bojović, stressed that the fight against gender-based violence begins with personal accountability. Despite the steps taken so far, the issue remains persistent, growing more intense and frequent.
“Each of us has the power to stop violence—what we need to do is immediately report our suspicions. None of us should ever think, 'This doesn’t concern me,' or 'I’ll mind my own business.' At both national and local levels, we are doing everything to ensure that every individual case of violence is adequately addressed in the future. Today’s training for Capital City employees is one such step in the right direction. By combating violence, we are fighting for a healthy society and a stronger state”, Borovinić-Bojović stated.
To mark the start of the campaign and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Capital City will symbolically light up the Assembly building of the Capital and the Millennium Bridge in orange.
This year’s UNDP campaign builds on the success of the “Sweep Away Violence” initiative from 2021, delving further into how stereotypes shape attitudes and behaviors toward women. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the connection between stereotypes and gender-based violence, emphasizing the need to dismantle harmful beliefs. Personal messages about stereotypes will be shared on social media, and UNDP invites all citizens to join the online campaign. Through cooperation with various institutions and stakeholders, the campaign seeks to promote systemic changes and build a broader coalition to combat gender-based violence.
