To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the conference “Equal, Safe, Empowered” was held today at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Belgrade. Organized by the Office of the Minister without Portfolio in charge of gender equality, the event gathered leading domestic and international officials, experts, and civil society representatives. Color Media Events also participated in organizing the conference.
In her opening address, Tatjana Macura emphasized that building a society free from violence is a primary goal and announced a series of panel discussions focusing on how system institutions directly support victims of violence.
Strong Support from National and International Leaders
In addition to Minister Tatjana Macura, the conference was opened by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Elvira Kovač, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Serbia, who both highlighted the importance of the fight for equal opportunities and women’s empowerment in their speeches.
President Vučić stated that “current data indicates less violence than in previous years, but it is crucial to talk about it as much as possible.”
“It is essential to publicly address every act of violence and ensure that institutions respond immediately,” he stressed, urging the Serbian government to enforce zero tolerance for violence against women.
The program included three thematic panels discussing how system institutions directly support victims of violence.
“Equal” — Moderated by Borka Jeremić, Head of the UNFPA Office in Serbia, this panel focused on the role of international cooperation in advancing equality. Panellists, including Matilde Mordt, UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia, Plamena Halačeva, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation in Serbia, and H.E. Charlotte Semelin, Swedish Ambassador to Serbia, stressed that legislative reforms and effective mechanisms for protection against discrimination are essential steps toward achieving equality.
“Safe” — This panel explored measures to prevent violence against women and improve support systems for victims. It was moderated by Tatjana Macura and included participants such as Ivica Dačić, Minister of the Interior; Maja Popović, Minister of Justice; Nemanja Starović, Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs; and Tomislav Žigmanov, Minister for Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue. The discussion introduced new initiatives to combat violence, including strengthening safe houses and adopting new legal frameworks.
“Empowered” — Dedicated to women’s economic and political empowerment, this panel was moderated by Ljupka Mihajlovska, Special Advisor to the Minister without Portfolio. Participants included Brankica Janković, Commissioner for the Protection of Equality; Aleksandar Marković, Chair of the Human and Minority Rights and Gender Equality Committee; Mihailo Jovanović, Director of the Office for IT and eGovernment; Darko Trajković, Public Prosecutor of the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in Niš; and Jelena Hrnjak from NGO Atina. The panel emphasized that investments in women’s entrepreneurship, digitalization, and education are fundamental for long-term change, with special attention to the role of local communities and NGOs.
The conference featured a performance by the ethno group “Zlatnik,” which performed traditional Serbian songs, symbolically linking tradition with modern values. In closing remarks, the organizers thanked all participants and announced new initiatives in the fight for equal opportunities and the protection of women.
The “Equal, Safe, Empowered” conference marks a significant step in the fight for gender equality, demonstrating Serbia’s readiness to collaborate with international partners in building a society where women are safe and empowered. Organizers called on citizens, institutions, and organizations to join this cause.
