The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is committed to integrating gender equality into all segments of its activities, said the Secretary General of that government department, Adis Pepić, noting that women make up the majority of the MFA's expert and management staff.
Pepić said this at an event organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), on the occasion of International Women in Diplomacy Day.
As announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the event was an opportunity to highlight, through open dialogue, key challenges and perspectives for strengthening the position of women in international relations and foreign policy.
It is stated that the first event of the Network of Women Diplomats of Montenegro confirmed the importance of this initiative, created with the aim of promoting gender-equal diplomacy and strengthening the visibility of women in all segments of international action.
Pepić reminded that women today make up the majority of the MVP collegium, as well as the majority of expert and managerial staff.
According to him, this is the result of both their professional competence and a supportive institutional environment.
Pepić emphasized that the MFA is permanently committed to integrating gender equality into all segments of its activities.
"Which is reflected in the strong support for the establishment of the Network of Women Diplomats, but also in the preparation of the new Foreign Policy Strategy of Montenegro, in which the gender dimension will be clearly recognized," said Pepić.
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Montenegro Silke Holander emphasized that the formation of the Network sends a strong message of change at a time when global diplomacy is seeking answers to the challenges of inequality and exclusion.
"The network of women diplomats will not only break down barriers, but will build legacies and inspire new generations of women to see themselves as leaders of global diplomacy," said Hollander.
She said that UNDP, through education, empowerment and strategic partnerships, remains a reliable partner for women who are shaping the future of international relations.
Acting Director General for Bilateral Affairs Marija Stjepčević assessed that the event confirms the quality cooperation between the Ministry, the Network and UNDP regarding the issue of equal positioning of women in international affairs.
She pointed out that the MVP's results so far in this field show clear progress, but also reminded that it is a process that requires ongoing commitment, adaptation and constant improvement.
Coordinator of the Directorate for OSCE and the Council of Europe at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and one of the initiators of the Network, Bosiljka Vuković Simonović, emphasized that the establishment of the Network of Women Diplomats of Montenegro was guided by the vision of a fairer, gender-sensitive institutional foreign policy framework.
"The network is conceived as an inclusive platform open to all Montenegrin female diplomats - from the most experienced to those just starting their diplomatic careers - and is founded on the rich heritage of women who have shaped Montenegrin diplomacy and social change throughout history," said Vuković Simonović.
As stated in the MFA statement, the celebration of International Women's Day in Diplomacy in Montenegro represents a strong signal of the institutions' willingness to contribute to global efforts towards a gender-equal international order.
It is added that the event was marked by inspiring discussion, with the presence of representatives of the diplomatic corps, including the ambassadors of the United States of America, Germany, the Hellenic Republic, Romania, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia.
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