Yesterday, today, tomorrow: 80 years of the struggle for women’s rights in Montenegro

Gender Equality Talks

December 11, 2023

80 years ago, in the Montenegrin town of Kolašin, the women’s movement was founded, marking the beginning of the emancipatory journey for women and the entire Montenegrin society. However, despite eight decades passing since women secured political and economic rights, the re-patriarchization of societies and the threat to human rights warn that the pursuit of freedom is still ongoing, and full realization of legally guaranteed equality has not yet been achieved.

UNDP in Montenegro has created a space for dialogue on key issues for achieving gender equality. Calling for reflection on the state of human rights, this year’s Gender Equality Talks, as part of the global campaign 16 Days of Activism, provided a unique opportunity for a comprehensive assessment of the gender equality situation. UNDP organized the Gender Equality Talks in collaboration with the embassies of the Czech Republic and Austria in Montenegro, the Delegation of the European Union, the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, the Parliament of Montenegro, the Montenegrin National Theatre, the Museums and Galleries of Podgorica, the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts, the Municipality of Kolašin, the Cultural Center Kolašin, the civil sector, and other partners.

The Gender Equality Talks gathered more than 400 participants and were not just a formal expression of support, but a confirmation of a deep commitment to creating an inclusive society that fosters gender equality in all aspects of life.

The campaign began at the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts with a discussion on investing in the prevention of gender-based violence against women. Representatives from the Government of Montenegro, the academic community, media, NGOs, the diplomatic corps, human rights activists, and advocates highlighted various manifestations of regressive processes globally that also affect Montenegro.

The presence of gender-based hate speech and violence against women in the online sphere and public space pointed to contemporary challenges and underscored the need to fight for gender equality on various fronts. Statistics revealing that every third woman will experience some form of physical or sexual violence during her lifetime are distressing, but they simultaneously emphasize the imperative for a serious and urgent response from all societal actors. The public discourse in Montenegrin society often reflects entrenched patriarchal patterns, the normalization of gender stereotypes, and limitations on individuals' freedom of expression. Expectations about “masculine” and “feminine” behaviour are firmly embedded in language, creating significant barriers to the implementation of women’s human rights. Gender stereotypes open the door to sexism in personal and professional spheres, and it places a responsibility on state authorities to be sensitive to cases of stereotyping, degradation, and dehumanization of women.

The crucial role of the media in shaping social attitudes and perceptions is emphasized here. The media is recognized as a powerful means of influencing public opinion and can play a key role in combating hate speech and sexism. Equally important is the suppression of hate speech through social media, which is, in most cases, directed at women who have stepped out of the private sphere and become active participants in social and political processes. Women are highlighted as key contributors to building communities that promote dialogue, reconciliation, and cooperation. The equal inclusion of women in peace processes is key to creating sustainable policies that contribute to reducing violence in society. Experiences from other countries, such as the Czech Republic, also indicate the importance of involving men in the processes of change because achieving gender equality is not possible without the participation of all.

A particularly inspiring conversation was dedicated to the topic of multiple discrimination as a specific form of violence faced by women with disabilities. The open discussion provided valuable insights into the structural barriers that women with disabilities face on a daily basis, not only through the lens of disability but also through patriarchal patterns and societal prejudices. Women with disabilities often encounter violence that extends beyond institutional, structural, and economic dimensions to psychological and physical dimensions, leading to complete isolation. Women with disabilities are three times more exposed to gender-based violence, including domestic violence, violence from intimate partners, caregivers, or within institutional settings. The event was an opportunity to share alarming data gathered by UNDP in Montenegro, in collaboration with the NGO IKRE from Rožaje, with nearly a thousand women with disabilities from the northern municipalities of Montenegro sharing their experiences of violence, exposing the depth and complexity of this issue.

One of the events within the Gender Equality Talks was dedicated to a significant jubilee – the 80th anniversary of the founding of the women’s movement in Montenegro on December 5-6, 1943, in Kolašin. Since then, Montenegro has undergone a strong emancipation, and the development of women’s activism during that time laid the foundation for contemporary international and national legislation. Discussions on this topic were based on the historical context of the development of women’s activism that liberated Montenegrin women but also dealt with various socio-political trends that posed many challenges to women and the women’s movement. Reflecting on 80 years of struggle for women’s and human rights, participants agreed that despite achievements, the process of realizing rights and freedoms is not complete, especially considering the challenges of regressive processes and the re-patriarchization of societies. The event also promoted the publication “Conquering freedom – the right to vote is needed to use it for peace”, which compiles a calendar of key events related to women’s rights and the emancipation of society.

The 16 Days of Activism campaign and Gender Equality Talks are not only a time to commemorate achievements but also a platform for considering the future. This was demonstrated at an event in the Parliament of Montenegro dedicated to the political journey of women since gaining the right to vote. Panellists emphasized the imperative of new forms of association and organized responses to the challenges women face in the political arena today. The process of women’s political participation does not end with gaining the right to vote. On the contrary, it is just the beginning. Reflecting on the historical context of women’s political participation in Montenegro, the importance of active engagement and support for women in politics was highlighted. The implementation of quotas for women is one step toward achieving balance in political representation. However, it was emphasized that quotas alone are not enough; it is necessary to work towards creating an inclusive political environment that encourages equal participation of all citizens, regardless of gender. Women in politics today face challenges that limit their full participation. These challenges must not be ignored but should be the subject of deep analysis and collective action to create conditions for equal political participation for women.

Recognizing the power of art and culture in achieving gender equality, the Montenegrin theatre audience had the opportunity this year to learn more about the processes that led to women’s political, economic, cultural, and all other rights through the play “Political History of Montenegrin Women”, produced by UNDP and directed by Marija Perović. Like seven years ago when the play was first performed to mark the 70th anniversary of women winning the right to vote, the audience’s reactions at the Cultural Center in Kolašin and the Montenegrin National Theatre were exceptional. This educational journey was based on historical material, offering the Montenegrin audience an authentic call to fight for women’s rights in Montenegro, creatively concluding this year’s campaign with a clear message: gender equality in all spheres of society is still a far-reaching goal, simultaneously a clear civilizational vision that Montenegrin society and Montenegrin women will not give up on.

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