Women's Platform for the Development of Serbia 2014-2020 organized a meeting with female MPs, representatives of the Women's Parliamentary Network, in order to monitor and assess the progress in implementing the measures to achieve the rule of law and non-discrimination.

Sanja Nikolin, from the Women’s Platform, has made an assessments on the progress in relation to the structural, procedural and indicators of outcome. Prof. Marijana Pajvančić introduced the necessary measures in the realization of the principle of rule of law and non-discrimination, in accordance with international standards and adopted documents. It was followed by a lively discussion about the problems, especially with the implementation, monitoring and reporting on the activities and their outcomes.

On behalf of the Autonomous Women's Center, the meeting was attended by Tanja Ignjatovic, who pointed out several current problems related to the topic. Firstly, she stressed discrepancy between the form of the Strategy for  Prevention and Protection against Discrimination and the Action Plan for its implementation (the first foresees measures by the target groups, and the latter by areas of operation), which makes it difficult to monitor the implementation. From the first report on the implementation of these measures is not possible to accurately determine which and how many activities and financial resources are planned and implemented for women, including women from multiple discriminated groups.

Bearing in mind that the Women’s Platform has set  an indicator "number of adopted recommendations of the CEDAW in the reporting period," it was pointed out that Serbia was obliged to send information regarding the Recommendations 17 (National Strategy for the Advancement of the Position of Women and Improvement of Gender Equality) and 23 (Violence against Women), which was delayed. Furthermore, the state report did not contain the consistent, accurate and complete information about the undertaken activities and their effects. AWC submitted a Shadow Report in connection with the above mentioned Recommendations.

The meeting was concluded with recommendations to re-form the Women's Parliamentary Network, establishm institutional mechanisms for gender equality as soon as possible, and to establish a permanent dialogue with representatives of the National Assembly on all important issues, such as the new Law on Gender Equality and reporting to the CEDAW Committee. The focus should be put on monitoring the implementation of laws and strategies.

Speech of Tanja Ignjatovic is available in Serbian on the video below: