Vujović: Women must have equal access to power and resources

Women and men must have equal access to resources and power, said the executive director of Juventas Ivana Vujović, adding that it is difficult to predict how the new convocation of the parliament will relate to electoral reform.

In an interview with the MINA agency, Vujović said that women make up the majority of the population in Montenegro and that they are one of the rare majority identities in the country.

"At the same time, women are in the minority when we talk about positions of power. If we want a healthy society, women must have equal access to power and resources as men. No less, no more," Vujović said.

Asked if she expects the electoral reform to be the focus of the new convocation of parliament, she stated that it is difficult to anticipate at this moment how the new members of parliament will treat it.

As she added, Montenegro first needs political stability, that is, a new stable majority that agrees on the direction of further electoral reform.

"When we focus on comprehensive electoral reform, we democratize the processes, we must protect the position of women within that, especially if the result of the electoral reform is more direct democracy, that is, the introduction of open or semi-open lists," Vujović said.

She said that, in the case of preferential voting, it is necessary to protect the position of women, in terms of managing budgets and access to the media.

"First we need to see which model we have adopted and which are the best practices within that model, taking into account the Montenegrin current reality, and then we need to define protective mechanisms, some through quotas, some through access to resources," stated Vujović.

She said that different mathematical models can be created that will define quotas differently.

"It does not have to be a rule defined only that in each group of n candidates (today four) at least one must be of a gender that is less represented, that at least 30 percent of candidates of the less represented gender must be on the electoral list, but otherwise, bearing in mind the segmented political offer," Vujović said.

She stated that it is possible to analyze the last few elections and define a model, possibly with the announced modification of the electoral system.

According to Vujović, it is obvious that there is institutional resistance to the participation of women in politics.

This, she added, can be proven through the fact that in some local elections, numerous election lists were declared illegal.

"The parties did not even bother to fulfill their legal obligation, let alone equalize the number of men and women on their lists," said Vujović.

She believes that women are interested in politics.

"A little less than men, but they are. They are not supported, that is, they face numerous gender-related barriers, which sometimes have their expression in discrimination, defamation, harassment, and misogynistic campaigns," said Vujović.

As she said, not only are women not sufficiently represented in politics, but there are indications that they are now less represented than before.

Vujović added that there are several possible reasons and that only one of them is related to legal solutions.

Political culture, as she said, affects how many women will be motivated to actively engage in politics.

Vujović stated that earlier research showed that in Montenegro, it is considered that one of the key things is the support of the family and the closest environment.

"On the other hand, the theory says that not only voters, but also political parties and movements, media and donors play an important role. Therefore, it is perceived that women rely on their closest environment, and the support of some of the key actors in creating one's political career - the media, parties, donors - is not recognized," Vujović said.

As she pointed out, in order for a woman to be involved in politics, she should have access to resources.

Vujovič said that she was concerned that the rejuvenated convocation of the parliament did not bring more, but fewer MPs compared to the previous one.

"The generation born in the XNUMXs was exposed to wars or the consequences of wars, the strengthening of the influence of religious leaders, the consequences of the transition, but also the strengthening of civil movements, civic education," stated Vujović.

As she added, most of today's leaders certainly had the opportunity to undergo at least informal training in the field of civic education, and they should be constantly reminded of that.

Vujović believes that part of the obstacles lies in the relationship of earlier generations, a long period of holding the same positions, the tradition of an authoritarian way of managing the state and the need for as intense control as possible.

"Connected with the clearest possible division of roles where, as much as possible, it is known exactly where everyone belongs. In the more controlled system, women in Projesk have no place in politics, except in the case of a few exceptions," said Vujović.

As she stated, even when a woman is active in politics, she is often expected to obey male authority.

Vujović said that this is how political parties function today.

"In them, we very rarely have women who separate their opinion compared to their male colleagues, who are usually at the top of the decision-making pyramid," Vujović added.

According to her, when one wants to simulate equality, then women are given management of internal party or state resources that are perceived as less important.

"There are almost no women in leadership positions, presidents or vice-presidents of parties, members of the Presidency. "We didn't have a female prime minister or a female president, and we had a small number of female municipal presidents, female ministers, directors of public companies," said Vujović.

She believes that the media does not give enough space to women.

"Political leaders are largely created by the media themselves. And I'm sure that the media recognize their power," Vujović said, adding that the media also have a responsibility to equalize the presence of men and women.

The media, as she stated, can create internal, flexible quotas and thus help to reform not only laws but the entire society.

"Here we are not talking about quotas related to the representation of candidates and lists during the pre-election period, but about the daily participation of female politicians in the public space," said Vujović.

Montenegro, as she emphasized, has a lot of educated, capable, brave and smart women, who break down barriers and stereotypes.

"That's why women, who break down all the barriers that society imposes on them, are exceptional," said Vujović.