LocationsAddressing gender-based violence requires cross-institutional cooperation and a systemic response
October 30, 2024
Podgorica, October 30, 2024 – Gender-based violence remains an ongoing challenge in Montenegro, necessitating urgent, dynamic, and systemic changes. Strengthening institutions is essential to effectively handle cases of gender-based violence, ensure the rule of law, and deliver justice through specialized training and support, guaranteeing that approaches to gender-based violence cases align with international standards and best practices.
This message was conveyed at the conference "Gender-Based Violence and Justice," organized in Podgorica by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Montenegro and the Supreme State Prosecutor's Office (SSPO) of Montenegro. The conference is a continuation of the partnership between UNDP and the SSPO, established through signing the statement of intent aimed at addressing the root causes of gender-based violence and improving the judiciary's response to victims.
Statistics presented at the conference highlighted the far-reaching consequences of gender discrimination. Publicly available judicial statistics show that since 2017, 17 women in Montenegro have lost their lives at the hands of intimate partners and relatives, with the youngest femicide victim being only 18 years old. Data from MONSTAT and UNDP indicate that despite 20% of women experiencing intimate partner violence during their lifetime, 62% fear reporting it due to potential repercussions, underscoring the urgent need for increased cooperation with judicial institutions to build a just and safe society.
UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro, Ekaterina Paniklova, emphasized that cooperation among various stakeholders, alongside the integration of gender equality principles in all aspects of the judicial process, is a prerequisite for addressing gender-based violence in Montenegro.
“We are committed to improving institutional capacity, empowering law enforcement, and ensuring that every judge, prosecutor and a professional working in institutions, is equipped to handle cases of gender-based violence with sensitivity, integrity, and a profound understanding of the societal implications of their decisions. Gender-responsive approaches should be the rule, not the exception” Paniklova stated.
Supreme State Prosecutor, Milorad Marković, highlighted that the prosecutorial organization recognizes the necessity of a more effective systemic response to gender-based violence, which led to the recent issuance of binding guidelines for state prosecutors on handling cases of domestic and family violence.
“We will strive to ensure the high-quality application of these guidelines, aware that results cannot be expected overnight. Establishing standards, conditions, and prosecutorial practices is a process that requires time. However, the commitment of the Prosecutor’s Office to approach cases of gender-based violence in line with the best international standards and practices is unequivocal. I believe today’s event contributes to elevating inter-institutional cooperation to a higher level, so that by appropriately acting, all institutions in the chain send a clear message that violence cannot and will not be tolerated”, Marković conveyed.
Minister of Internal Affairs, Danilo Šaranović, stressed that his department is working to ensure that the fight against gender-based violence is based on timely and effective action by police officers. “The sense of security is an inviolable right for all, and it is our duty to ensure a violence-free environment. Gender-based and domestic violence should not be viewed as personal or family matters but rather as issues of general public concern. Only through such an approach, intersectoral coordination, the promotion of tolerance, and a culture of non-violence, can we create a healthy society for future generations,” said Šaranović.
Minister of Labor, Employment, and Social Dialogue, Naida Nišić, noted that her ministry will continue to work devotedly in the coming period on developing educational programs to help employers and employees recognize the signs of gender-based violence. “By creating a safe and supportive working environment, I am confident that Montenegro can become an example for other countries in the region in the fight against gender-based violence and the promotion of gender equality. I am ready to make the maximum effort to encourage the entire Government to commit intensively to this issue, showing that social consensus is achievable, especially in addressing violence against women,” Nišić emphasized.
The Minister of Justice, Bojan Božović, emphasized that the fight against gender-based violence is a key social priority and that the role of institutions in this effort is clear. “I am particularly concerned about the lenient penal policy, which, in my opinion, is unacceptable. It is our duty to put an end to violence through effective legal protection and decisive enforcement of laws, as this violence has dramatic and long-term consequences in Montenegro. We must work continuously on implementing the legal framework and coordinating with all relevant institutions to ensure that victims receive the necessary support and justice, while perpetrators are adequately sanctioned,” he stated.
Minister of Social Welfare, Family Care, and Demography, Damir Gutić, highlighted the importance of effectively implementing the Istanbul Convention and enhancing the staffing and administrative capacities of institutions dealing with protection from gender-based violence. “By respecting women's rights and reporting violence, we will create a safe environment for women and girls in our country,” stated Gutić.
The event in Podgorica provided a platform for open dialogue among key actors and an overview of innovative practices and strategies that can be applied to improve responses to gender-based violence and enhance victim support services, in line with Montenegro’s commitments to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the EU Gender Equality Action Plan.
