The path from the classroom to the assembly hall
Selma Omerović is an example of how knowledge and commitment can be transformed into social engagement. Her story begins in the classroom. It is precisely this transformation, from the classroom to the assembly hall, that makes her recognizable: a combination of knowledge, youth and the desire to contribute to the community. The path from the classroom to politics thus becomes a symbol of generational change: young people, educated and ambitious, take responsibility for the future of their cities.
Personal stamp
The connection of mathematics and politics at first glance seems like a combination of two completely different worlds – one based on precise formulas and evidence, and the other on compromises, communication and human relations. While her peers are just starting their careers, she is already leading the most important body of local government. For many, her example is proof that the new generation of politicians in Montenegro is not afraid of responsibility and brings freshness to public life.
Born in 1995, Omerović brought new energy and symbolized the entry of a younger generation into local politics. By being elected as the President of the Bijelo Polje Municipal Assembly, Omerović became one of the youngest persons at the head of the local parliament in Montenegro. Her role includes leading sessions, coordinating committees and representing the Assembly before institutions and citizens. Since the beginning of her mandate, she has emphasized the importance of making the Assembly's decisions accessible to the public and of citizens actively participating in the processes. What is particularly emphasized in her work is her insistence on transparency, youth inclusion and women's empowerment in politics.
A symbol of women's empowerment
As a young woman at the head of the Assembly, she is recognized as an example that the political space in Montenegro is opening up for greater participation of women in leadership positions. Selma Omerović sees the role of women in leadership positions as crucial for the development of society and the modernization of politics. Her position in itself carries a strong symbolism – it shows that women can be at the head of the most important institutions of local government and that their presence changes the dynamics of decision-making. Her presence at the head of the Assembly sends a message to young girls that politics is not reserved only for men. Her vision is that through a greater presence of women in leadership positions, a policy that is closer to citizens, more humane and sustainable in the long term will be created.
In May 2023, the first Women's Club in Montenegro was formed at the local level in the Bijelo Polje Municipal Assembly. The club brings together 13 councilors from all political parties and aims to work towards greater equality and strengthening the role of women in the local community. The establishment of the Women's Club in Bijelo Polje represents an important step towards institutional support for gender equality. This model has served as an example for other municipalities in Montenegro. The Municipality of Bijelo Polje has a total of 337 employees, of which 138 are women, and 16 of them are in management positions.
In a time that requires sustainable solutions and new approaches to development, women are taking on key roles in the transformation of our communities – from local politics to entrepreneurship and from education to ecology. The Municipality of Bijelo Polje allocates certain funds to support female entrepreneurship because the development of female entrepreneurship creates the prerequisites for creating new jobs, which enables the development of society as a whole. The Municipality has so far supported 42 female entrepreneurs in a total amount of 139.623,03 euros. This makes the Municipality a representative example when it comes to supporting female entrepreneurship.
Also, the Municipality of Bijelo Polje is one of the first to introduce a special line for female entrepreneurs, at the initiative of UNDP and the Women's Political Network, in order to encourage the development of female entrepreneurship. This was a way to try to reduce the barriers faced by women who want to start a business at the local level. Together, we are building a future in which rural women can progress, innovate and be leaders.
Vision for Bijelo Polje
Selma Omerović's recognition comes not only from the fact that she is the youngest president, but also from the way she positions herself - as a leader who wants to connect tradition and modernity. For Selma, politics is not a departure from science, but its application in practice – the ability to break down complex problems, seek data-based solutions, and make decisions responsibly.
At a time when Montenegrin politics is facing the challenges of modernization and youth inclusion, Bijelo Polje has gained a Municipal Assembly President who symbolizes precisely that change - Selma Omerović.
(Bijelo Polje Municipal Assembly)
