Although women make up about 30 percent of local parliaments in Montenegro, the number of female councilors from minority communities is significantly smaller, and in some parliaments there are none at all.
This stems from the answer given by the interviewee of "Vijesti" to the question about the current representation of women from minority groups in local parliaments.
The Constitution guarantees members of minority peoples and other minority national communities the right to authentic representation in the Parliament of Montenegro and the assemblies of local self-government units in which they constitute a significant part of the population, in accordance with the principle of affirmative action, as well as to proportional representation in public services, state authorities and local self-government bodies.
However, there are no specific legal provisions that oblige political parties to include women from minority groups on their electoral lists.
REPRESENTATION FAR FROM NECESSARY
Program assistant at the Center for Civic Education (CGO) Maja Marinović assessed that the local level of politics is somewhat more inclusive for women than the national level:
"Their representation, especially the representation of women from minority groups, is far from what it should be."
She emphasized that, although women make up about 30 percent of councilors in local parliaments, the number of councilors from minority communities is significantly lower, and in some parliaments there are none at all.
"This indicates that formal mechanisms such as quotas are not sufficient if there is no genuine political will to implement them and encourage the improvement of the position of women," said Marinović.
She assessed that the weaker political participation of women from minority communities is the result of a combination of several factors - social, political and economic.
"Traditional patriarchal patterns and prejudices that politics is primarily a man's job, as well as the increasingly prevalent hate speech and negative atmosphere towards women who decide to engage in politics, significantly block the visibility and opportunities for action of all women," said Marinović.
She warned that the lack of support within the community and family further complicates the inclusion of women in political processes, especially within minority communities.
"Systemic obstacles, such as non-compliance with quotas and unequal treatment of women in parties, are thus slowing down progress in this area. Although women in Montenegro are more educated than men (as many as 61,8 percent of undergraduate graduates are women), they still do not have equal opportunities in many spheres, and politics is no exception," Marinović pointed out.
She said that the lack of positive role models and education about political action further reduces their motivation to become more actively involved.
AND THE CAPITAL PARLIAMENT WITHOUT REPRESENTATIVES OF MINORITY PEOPLES
The Capital City Assembly responded to "Vijesti" that there are currently no female councilors from minority ethnic groups in the local parliament of Podgorica, which has 59 councilors.
They state that political parties and social actors are continuously working to improve gender equality and greater representation of women in political life.
"Although there are no female councilors from minority nations in this convocation, the Capital City Assembly will ensure greater visibility of this issue in the coming period, by encouraging greater participation of women from all communities in political processes and creating an environment that promotes inclusivity and equality," the Assembly announced.
They state that there are no women from minority groups in leadership positions.
"However, minority peoples have traditionally participated in political processes, both through parliamentary structures at the state level and through various political parties and institutions. The Capital City Assembly recognizes that there is room for future changes through affirmative measures, political participation and further encouragement of women from all communities to become more actively involved in political and social life," the Capital City Assembly announced.
There are currently no representatives of minority nations in the Assembly of the Royal Capital of Cetinje, which has 33 councilors.
"We remind you that data from the 2023 census indicate that minority peoples make up a smaller part of the population in Cetinje, which may affect their representation in the local parliament," the Public Relations Office of the Royal Capital of Cetinje states.
There are no women from minority parties in the Danilovgrad Municipal Assembly, which has 33 council seats. There are also, as they said, no female officials from smaller ethnic groups.
As confirmed by these parliaments, there are no representatives of minority peoples in either the Budva or Berane Municipal Councils.
Secretary of the Tivat Municipal Assembly Ivana Arandjus announced that out of 32 councilors, 14 are members of the underrepresented gender, and only one councilor is from a minority party (Croatian Civic Initiative).
Aranjuez announced that there are no female councilors from minority ethnic groups in leadership positions.
"The issue of including women from minority groups in political life, including in future electoral processes, is very important from the perspective of gender equality and representation of different social groups. However, any strategy in this direction must be in accordance with the Constitution and laws of Montenegro," said Aranđus.
She reminds that the Law on the Election of Councilors and Representatives provides for a gender quota, meaning that each electoral list must include at least 30 percent women, but does not recognize special quotas for women from minority groups.
"The Constitutional Court previously reacted when an attempt was made in the state parliament to introduce guaranteed mandates for minority peoples, which could mean that any similar initiative at the local level would have to be carefully formulated," Aranjuez pointed out.
She said that if the local parliament were to consider an initiative to increase the participation of women from minority groups, it would have to be based on incentive measures, not on mandatory quotas that would guarantee mandates based solely on ethnicity.
As possible mechanisms that would be in accordance with the law, Aranjus cites the organization of trainings, workshops and programs to empower women from minority groups in politics, as well as an appeal to parties to include more women from minority groups on their lists, but without legally imposing quotas.
Possible mechanisms, she said, would include programs to support women's political initiatives in accordance with democratic procedures, as well as promoting gender equality and minority rights through media and social activities.
From the office of the President of the Municipality of Gusinje Sanel Balić It was announced that, given that they live in an environment where the majority of citizens are from minority ethnic groups, all councilors in that municipality are representatives of minority ethnic groups. The positions held by minority ethnic groups include the vice-president of the municipality, the chief administrator, the secretary of the assembly, and the secretary of the general administration.
In the Rožaje Municipal Assembly, out of 34 councilor seats, 10 are from minority groups.
"We do not have any female councilors from minority groups who hold leadership positions," the Parliamentary Affairs Service announced.
In the local parliament of Bijelo Polje, 55 percent of the councilors are representatives of minority peoples.
"A councillor who holds a leadership position from a minority group is the President of the Assembly Selma Omerović"In addition to the President of the Assembly, women from minority groups who hold leadership positions are the Secretary of the Assembly, the Secretary of the Secretariat for Finance, the Assistant Secretary for Finance, the Director of the Public Institution Center for Support to Children and Families, the Assistant Secretary of the Secretariat for Local Self-Government, and the Assistant Director of the Public Institution Day Care Center for Children with Developmental Disabilities 'Tisa'," the Assembly's office announced.
Secretary of the Municipal Assembly of Tuzi, Nermin Alibasic, announced that out of 32 council seats, the Albanian Forum has seven female councilors, the Bosniak Party and the Democratic Union of Albanians one each. The Democratic Party of Socialists also has one female councilor in the local parliament.
"There are no female councilors from minority groups who hold a leadership position in the Municipal Assembly," Alibašić said.
PARTIES STILL DO NOT ENCOURAGE WOMEN ENOUGH
Maja Marinović emphasized that there is no new relevant and precise data on the number of women from minority communities in politics, but that based on current trends, it can be concluded that their position is still the result of political calculations and insufficient inclusion due to various causes - from patriarchal norms and lack of support to systemic discrimination and non-compliance with legal quotas.
"There is visible progress in the form of a greater number of women on electoral lists, but this does not ensure their real political power."
She reminded that at the state level, since the restoration of Montenegro's independence, only one woman has been the President of the Parliament, but never one from a minority group.
Marinović pointed out that there are very few women MPs from minority communities in the Parliament of Montenegro. At the local level, she points out, there are still very few women in key positions - there are no women at the head of any Montenegrin municipality, while there are eight women at the head of municipal assemblies - Berane, Bijelo Polje, Cetinje, Kotor, Pljevlja, Podgorica, Šavnik and Ulcinj.
"So, in general, women are underrepresented, and then we have the underrepresentation of women from minority communities."
Traditional patriarchal patterns and prejudices that politics is primarily a man's job, as well as the increasingly prevalent hate speech and negative atmosphere towards women who decide to engage in politics, significantly block the visibility and opportunities for action of all women.
Marinović emphasized that political parties still do not sufficiently encourage women, especially those from minority communities, to actively participate in politics and take on leadership positions.
"Although they formally advocate for gender equality and include women on electoral lists, they are often present only to fulfill quotas, without any real opportunity to make decisions."
Marinović pointed out that a positive example was the electoral lists for the local elections in Podgorica, where the representation of women was 40 percent, but only two women were at the head of the list, which once again shows that women still do not have a sufficiently open path to leadership positions.
"Given the knowledge, progress and abilities that women have already proven, it is necessary for political parties to make fundamental changes and provide them with an equal opportunity for political action at all levels," said Marinović.
Bonus video:
