ROLE MODEL: Women in Montenegrin politics mostly reduced to commenting on physical appearance and private life

Women in Montenegrin politics are mostly reduced to commenting on their physical appearance and private lives, unlike men, who present themselves in the media through making important decisions, managing processes, and manifesting power.

The Association for Responsible and Sustainable Development (UZOR) announced that this was one of the main conclusions of the analysis conducted by the NGO as part of the project "(Un)wanted in Public Space", which, they said, confirms that the problem of low political participation of young women in Montenegro is not a matter of disinterest, but rather a question of the price that such engagement carries.

UZOR's analysis, as they announced, shows that young women follow social and political topics, reflect on social justice, human rights and public policies, but that they perceive formal politics as a closed, conflictual and hierarchically structured space in which their integrity is constantly under question.

"Between interest and engagement stands a rational assessment of risk – and that risk, they say, is disproportionately greater for women."

The findings of the study, UZOR adds, point to deep-rooted patterns of media representation that shape political reality. "Women in politics are predominantly perceived through the prism of controversy, personal attacks and negative attention, while their agenda, knowledge and work results are relegated to the background."

Such framing, they add, not only reproduces gender stereotypes, but also sends a strong message about who is the "natural" bearer of political authority, and who must prove their own competence under the public spotlight.

"Also, the digital space further fuels an atmosphere in which online violence, hate speech and indecent comments are not sporadic occurrences, but an everyday reality that young women clearly detect - so the fear of public lynching and permanent stigmatization leads to self-censorship," the statement reads.

All of this, say UZOR, leads to the loss of women's voices in the public sphere, which is happening quietly, without formal prohibitions, but with long-term consequences for the democratic development of society. "The analysis also shows that positive examples of women in politics are rare and fragmented, perceived as exceptions, and not as a result of systemic support and equal conditions."

They said these findings clearly indicate that increasing young women's political participation cannot be reduced to formal mechanisms, quotas, or declarative support for gender equality.

"Fundamental changes in media practices are needed, more responsible reporting, more efficient mechanisms for protection from online violence, and systemic support for women entering the public space. Democracy cannot be complete while a significant part of society estimates that the price of public engagement is too high," the statement reads.