Strengthen women and men who are exposed to discrimination to recognize and report it

BCSP Director Sonja Stojanovic Gajic pointed out examples registered during the BCSP research in which women and men are discriminated and explained why it is particularly difficult to develop an organization that does not tolerate discrimination.

“The police, military, security and prison services are organizations that, due to specific work they do, harder than other institutions permit a review of procedures of colleagues and superiors, and the efficiency of the institution itself is based on a hierarchy of decision-making and limited transparency. In such circumstances, it is particularly difficult to strengthen women and men who are exposed to discrimination to recognize it, report it to „person of trust“ and look for a solution with him/her”, said Stojanovic Gajic.

At the seminar it was pointed out that Serbia has a legal and political framework for fighting discrimination against women and girls, but despite considerable efforts made in the implementation of mentioned laws discrimination against women still exists. Establishing mechanism „trustworthy person“ will create a platform for the advancement of women in society. The mechanism will be fully integrated into the by-laws, procedures and practices of security institutions. „Trustworthy person“ will help in providing primary collegial support through counseling, mediation, and taking measures to address specific controversial issues in the field of gender equality.

The participants of the seminar were:

• Elected „trustworthy persons“ in the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces , Directorate for Execution of Criminal Sanctions of the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration and Security Information Agency
• Representatives of the Ministry of Interior and the Customs Administration of the Ministry of Finance
• Appointed gender advisors in ministries , departments and agencies responsible for implementing the National Action Plan
• President of the Commission to monitor the implementation of the NAP of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia
• Representatives of the organizations involved in supporting the implementation of NAP in Serbia.

The seminar was held with the aim to provide a practical contribution to the implementation of the National Action Plan for the implementation of UNSCR 1325 on „Women, Peace and Security“ in the Republic of Serbia regarding the establishment of a mechanism „trustworthy person“, as well as to contribute to further promoting its advancement and sustainability in practice. At the seminar was presented and evaluated the progress of a mechanism „trustworthy person“ among the ministries and agencies involved in the project. Also during the seminar newly elected „trustworthy persons“ were thoroughly familiar with its functions and mandate.