Minić: I strongly condemn the physical attack on Pićan and the verbal and psychological violence against Kažanegro Stanišić

I strongly condemn the physical attack on my colleague, member of parliament and councilor Bojana Pićan by the security of the Municipal Assembly (SO) of Budva, announced today Valentina Minic, president of the Forum of Women of Democratic Montenegro.

"This incident represents one more in a series of examples of violence against women in politics, which unfortunately is increasingly present in the deeply divided Montenegrin society, which reacts selectively in relation to which political structure the victim represents," Minic said in a statement.

She added that she strongly condemns "the continuous targeting, as well as the verbal and psychological violence against Councilwoman Dragana Kažanagra Stanišić and her colleagues from the Budva Municipal Assembly, to which, apart from disgusting statements by political opponents, there are no reactions and condemnations from the public".

"Violence against women in politics is a serious problem that undermines democratic processes and discourages women's participation in public life. Research shows that a worrying 82% of female parliamentarians have experienced some form of psychological violence, and as many as 25% have been victims of physical violence. In Montenegro, according to research, the situation follows global trends - as the number of women in politics grows, so does the frequency of violent incidents against them," said Minić.

She said that this violence has multiple negative consequences, including:

1. It reinforces traditional gender stereotypes and discourages women from engaging in politics;

2. Violates democratic principles and equal participation in decision-making;

3. It sends a devastating message that even women in positions of power cannot protect themselves from violence;

Minić stated that urgent action is needed at several levels, and that she only mentions the initial ones:

- Stricter legislation and more effective application of existing regulations;

- Education on gender equality and zero tolerance for violence by all actors in society;

- Greater representation of women in politics through quotas and other affirmative measures;

- Public condemnation of every form of violence and misogyny in political discourse;

"I call on all NGO organizations that deal with human rights, institutions and citizens to condemn these and all other forms of violence against women in politics. Only through joint efforts can we create an inclusive society in which women will participate in political life equally and without fear, regardless of whether or not there are elements of criminal acts in specific cases, because when they happen, it's too late," said Minic.

Bojana Pićan, member of the "For the Future of Budva" coalition, was injured the day before yesterday in the Budva Police Station, as the coalition claims, the security guards injured her hand.

The holder of the "Budva our city" list, Nikola Jovanović, announced at a press conference the night before last that Dragana Kažanegra Stanišić, who is also the state secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) and the vice president of Democratic Montenegro, "instead of preventing perpetrators and lawbreakers, she invited those persons to break into the hall of the Budva Municipal Assembly today and make its work impossible".

The Civic Movement (GP) URA said the day before yesterday that, in the presence of Kažanegra Stanišić, persons of interest (BIL) are breaking into the assembly hall of the Budva Municipality and intimidating councilors in order to prevent political changes in accordance with the will of the citizens.

On January 11, Kažanegra Stanišić announced these accusations on social networks, saying, among other things, "the cage is shaking the beasts and panic is the logical reaction", and "shame on you male cowards, sycophants of criminal clans".