In anticipation of March 8 - International Women's Day, the Center for Civic Education (CCE) pointed out the growing misogyny that remains insufficiently and inadequately addressed by decision-makers, institutions and a significant part of society.
According to Tamara Milaš, human rights program coordinator at CGO, misogyny has recently been emphasized when it comes to women politicians, and for years it was present and unsanctioned towards women from critically oriented non-governmental organizations.
"Unfortunately, despite a large number of international documents that condemn and prohibit all forms of violence, including violence against women, we are witnessing the strengthening of such phenomena in society. There is still no full respect for human rights in Montenegrin society, nor have systematic educational and related measures been implemented which would contribute to the establishment of a culture of human rights. That is why it is still necessary to fight for some of the basic women's rights. This is confirmed by the latest public opinion survey, conducted by the CGO, which indicates that men and women in Montenegro do not have equal rights. In fact, the majority of citizens, more precisely almost two-thirds (63 percent), believe that gender equality has not been achieved in Montenegro," stated Milaš.
She stated that the Gender Equality Index in Montenegro is 55 out of 100, which puts Montenegro significantly below the EU average of 67,4, and this is illustrated by numerous inequalities in various spheres, the causes of which remain despite certain interventions aimed at improving gender equality. equality.
"By marginalizing the issue of the position of women in Montenegro, a dangerous space is opened for confrontation with women, especially those who publicly express their position or occupy high political and public positions, which becomes part of our everyday life. There is no justification for sexism and misogyny, nor is there any justification for attacks on women in these frameworks, regardless of how close or distant the positions they publicly represent are. In addition to increasingly pronounced nationalist and clerical tendencies, Montenegrin society also shows an increasingly pronounced and retrograde attitude towards women in the public sphere, which narrows the already limited space for the effective public action of women. It should be emphasized that this is accompanied by a low level of culture of public speech in which women are exposed to brutal insults and attempts to humiliate them".
Milaš points out that such examples create a climate of intimidation, fear and insecurity and tend to legitimize violence against women, which is unacceptable in a democratic society.
"CGO notes that one of the indicators of progress in the democratization and Europeanization of Montenegrin society is reasoned public criticism and the attitude of decision-makers towards that criticism. Such criticism cannot be based on vulgar and archaic forms that focus on one's gender and sexuality. Freedom of speech should contains a constructive, even provocative, level of criticism, in written or caricature expression, but also to provide a balance between public interest and personal dignity. In the current Montenegrin context, this requires a greater level of responsibility of all social and political actors, but also constant work on raising public awareness and education about gender equality in order to eradicate prejudices and stereotypes that lead to discrimination, belittling and violence against women," concluded Milaš.
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