During the first meeting of the Forum against misogynist hate speech, the idea of the forum itself as a platform that brings together different actors from public life and the possibility of future joint action was presented. Also, the mechanisms of joint action of different actors and ways of achieving a common goal were considered, precisely through the work of the Forum itself, writes the press release of the LGBT Forum Progresa.
Non-governmental organizations LGBT Forum Progres and LGBTIQ Social Center formed, as they say, the first national Forum against misogynistic hate speech, "which was formally constituted with representatives of the Parliament of Montenegro, media and civil society organizations".
"This Forum is designed as a platform for discussion that will actualize and affirm issues such as deeply rooted misogynistic hate speech in the Montenegrin public space, as well as other negative phenomena in our society. The Forum will focus on strengthening the national public discourse with decision-makers in this domain , strengthening the role of the media and non-governmental organizations in the processes of reducing misogynist hate speech, but also strategic work on strengthening the legal response to this phenomenon in Montenegro," said LGBT Forum Progresa.
According to them, the constitutive meeting of the forum was attended by the deputy of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) Aleksandra Vuković Kuč, chief adviser of the Ombudsman for Human Rights (Ombudsman) Dina Knežević, journalists Jelena Jovanović (Vijesti), Jelena Martinović (Pobjeda) and Katarina Janković (RTCG), journalist Nemanja Lacman (Gradska TV), as well as Aleksandra Vukčević from the Civic Alliance, together with representatives of LGBT Forum Progres and LGBTIQ Social Center.
"In the future, the Forum will expand its work and include additional representatives of the Assembly, the media and civil society organizations," they added.
According to the LGBT Forum Progresa, MP Aleksandra Vuković Kuč pointed out that misogyny is often reflected in simple things, such as language, and gave an example of congratulations that state institutions send on the occasion of important dates, which, she states, often contain elements of misogyny, i.e. constructions like of the "fairer sex", "gentler sex", "weaker sex" and the like.
"Chief advisor of the Ombudsperson, Dina Knežević, emphasized the necessity of intensifying training and education of employees in all institutions, including judicial institutions. These trainings already exist, and most often include candidates for holders of judicial positions. One of the recommendations of the Protector is the implementation of systemic and regular training in the field of gender equality for all holders of judicial functions, including advisors and interns, in order to further strengthen themselves in the application of international standards," the announcement reads.
The journalist, Jelena Jovanović, referred to the difficulties of investigative processes, reports LGBT Forum Progress, especially when it comes to social networks like TikTok, where, as she claims, the process of identifying perpetrators is not simple and where problems are often seen in practice.
"She also invited the participants of the Forum to include young people in their work, through literary clubs and camps," the announcement states.
Journalist, Jelena Martinović, put a special focus on the individual defense mechanisms of those who experienced misogynistic hate speech, said the LGBT Forum Progresa, "and pointed out that it is important to take into account the fact that all people experience misogynistic hate speech individually, and how important solidarity is among different media in response to these negative phenomena".
"The participants of the Forum agreed on the necessity of implementing a national campaign in the context of using gender-sensitive language, suppressing misogynistic hate speech, so the last part of the Forum's work was dedicated to the development of ideas for further action," the announcement reads.
It is emphasized that all participants of the Forum emphasized that it is necessary for everyone to recognize their role in the process of emancipation of their personal environment in the context of developing awareness of human rights, the fight against misogynistic hate speech and gender-based violence.
"This activity was implemented as part of the project 'United against misogynistic hate speech in Montenegrin public space', which is implemented by non-governmental organizations LGBT Forum Progres and LGBTI Social Center with the financial support of the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights," the announcement concludes.
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