"The simple-minded attacks directed at Lola, Brahić and Perunović are a confirmation of social failure in disrespecting women"

A responsible society must find a way to oppose discrimination against women on the Internet, the Women's Club of the Parliament of Montenegro said.

The co-presidents of the Women's Club, Vesna Pavićević and Branka Bošnjak, strongly condemned the insults directed at the president of the Women's Alliance of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), Drita Lola, as well as members of the Youth Council from that party, Amina Brahić and Nina Perunović.

"The simple attacks on social networks, addressed to Lola, Brahić and Perunović, are a confirmation of the social failure in disrespecting women, which has befallen Montenegro", stated Pavićević and Bošnjak.

They stated that women of different ages, especially politicians, journalists, defenders of women's rights and other public figures, are targets of insults, curses, sexism and misogyny.

"Primitive insults were not avoided even by three young women from the DPS, who deigned to engage in politics, in the desire for the affirmation of women and the fight for gender equality," said Pavićević and Bošnjak.

They stated that social networks are used for endless freedom, and that there are numerous and very worrying opportunities for inappropriate comments towards women.

In this way, as they said, tolerance is endangered and hate speech is given primacy.

Pavićević and Bošnjak stated that any form of insulting, belittling or ridiculing someone can be classified as psychological violence, which can have unfathomable consequences.

According to them, by spreading insults and derogatory posts, an attempt was made to disparage the integrity of female DPS politicians, and to degrade their dignity with inappropriate and offensive comments.

"We strongly condemn the disgraceful insults directed at our respected young female politicians and call on all organizations that deal with the protection of women, international organizations and all social entities, not to remain silent on such phenomena," the statement said.

Pavićević and Bošnjak pointed out that publicly spoken words and announcements affect the formation of public opinion attitudes and behavior patterns, thereby reducing the participation of women in public work.

"A responsible society must find a way to oppose this phenomenon, to take significant steps in that direction and to recognize discrimination against women on the Internet as a form of violence against women", stated Pavićević and Bošnjak.

They called on the competent institutions to take all measures to suppress and sanction this phenomenon.