Belgrade, Brussels, Podgorica, November 10, 2023

The topic of sexual and reproductive rights and health was approached as basic human rights, pillars of gender equality and democracy, a way to eradicate gender-based violence, with awareness of the different experiences of women and girls, as well as of all people (intersectionality). It was pointed out that this topic is one of the development priorities in all EU foreign policies, included in the Action Plan on Gender Equality (GAP III), with respect to the demographic challenges in Europe/EU, as well as in the Western Balkans region.

Neil Datta from the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights spoke about the impact of the EU Parliament's Resolution on the sexual and reproductive rights of women on EU member states, the main challenges and resistance in this area. Tanja Ignjatović from the Autonomous Women's Center and Maja Raičević from the Center for Women's Rights from Podgorica spoke about the situation in Serbia and Montenegro, public policies and their implementation (especially in the field of health and education).

In the second part of the panel, Neil Datta talked about Europe's strategic responses to challenges in this area, as well as the activities of the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights and possible models of action in the countries of the Western Balkans. Biljana Đorđević, Member of Parliament and assistant professor at the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Belgrade, spoke about strategic responses to improve the sexual and reproductive rights of women in the educational system in Serbia. Biljana Stojković, co-president of the green-left political organization Zajedno, a full professor at the Faculty of Biology at the University of Belgrade, highlighted possible strategic solutions for improving the sexual and reproductive rights of women in Serbia in the field of health. Drita Llolla, MP in the Parliament of Montenegro and president of the Women's Alliance of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) spoke about strategic responses to improve the sexual and reproductive rights of women in Montenegro.

You can watch the recording of the conversation and discussion HERE.

You can see the resolution of the EU Parliament on the sexual and reproductive rights of women HERE.