Podgorica, (MINA) – Gender-based discrimination represents a continuous challenge in all spheres of the Montenegrin society, even though women won political, economic and other rights almost a century ago.

This was heard at the Pact for the Future event, organized by the UNDP in Montenegro and the Women’s Leadership Network.

UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro, Ekaterina Paniklova, emphasized that the situation in the gender equality in Montenegro necessitated joint efforts to create a society of equal chances and opportunities.

“We must work on creating policies that empower women through concrete economic measures, encouraging equality at all levels of political participation, zero tolerance to violence and changing social norms that limit social potentials”, said Paniklova.

Deputy Parliament Speaker Zdenka Popovic said that in order to reduce the gender gap in Montenegro, which is a result of the centuries-old injustice, joint and concrete work was necessary in order to achieve results such as the empowerment of women in the labor market and the political decision-making process, as well as for suppression of gender-based violence.

Minister of European Affairs, Maida Gorcevic, emphasized that gender equality was a fundamental EU value and that Montenegro, as the next EU member, should put the overall reform processes into the function of creating a fairer society for all its citizens.