"Living a life with the absence of violence is a basic human right"

Last updated: 20/12/2011 // Every second woman in Serbia is a victim of some form of violence, be that psychological, physical, economical or sexual.

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The national conference "Preventing Violence against Women in the Family and in Intimate Partner Relationships as a Strategic State Response to Violence" held on December 12th 2011, in Belgrade, gathered partners on the UNDP project “Combating Sexual and Gender-based Violence” (SGBV), supported by the Government of the Kingdom of Norway and the Serbian Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

There is high tolerance to gender based violence in Serbian society and most of the victims are unaware of their rights. The system for data gathering on victims of sexual and gender based violence in Serbia (SGBV) is poor. Nevertheless, research and experience of NGO's providing services to victims of violence, reveal high prevalence of both physical and psychological violence, with most of them never being reported to state institutions.

The aim of this project is to strengthen the capacity of the Gender Equality Directorate within the Serbian Ministry of Labour and Social Policy in developing and introducing systematic solutions to address SGBV – such as development of the National Strategy for Combating SGBV; developing standard procedures and proceedings for relevant services for victims; development of a coherent data gathering system on SGBV.

This project is also a part of the International campaign "16 days of activism against Gender-based Violence against Women" organized from November 25th to December 10th 2011.

A series of activities within the national campaign "Do not turn your back on violence- report it." contributed to raising public awareness on violence against women and domestic violence.

The national conference was dedicated to prevention as a key strategic approach in the fight against violence (National Strategy for Preventing and Combating Domestic and Partner Relationship Violence against Women, which was adopted by the Serbian Government at its session on 1 April 2011).

Introductory statements were made by Ms.Snezana Lakicevic, State Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, and Director of the national project ‘Combating Sexual and Gender-based Violence’; H.E. Mr. Nils Ragnar Kamsvåg, Ambassador of Norway to Serbia; Ms. Gordana Pualic, State Secretary, Ministry of Justice; Ms. Tamara Mirovic, Deputy State Attorney, Republic of Serbia; Ms. Natalija Micunovic, Director of the Directorate for Gender Equality; and Ms. Olivera Puric, Acting UNDP Resident Representative.

Mr. Ambassador pointed to the fact that the violence against women is a universal phenomenon adding that sexual and gender based violence is a grave global problem which has to be addressed forcefully. That is an important reason why Norway has been supporting this project with 2,5 million Euros since 2008.
“The sad reality in Serbia is that violence against women is very widespread. Recent research conducted within the SGBV project confirms that every second woman in Serbia is a victim of some form of violence, be that psychological, physical, economical or sexual. According to news reports so far in 2011, 44 women have been killed in partnership relations or in a domestic context. In 2010. 30 women were killed by their current or ex partners. Men are often committing family violence against women. In more than 80%, husbands and partners are those who are committing violence and we need to help change attitudes and perceptions of what it means to be a man. It is important to encourage young men to support more gender equitable social norms, healthy lifestyles and discourage violent behaviour against community, women and peers”, stressed Mr. Kamsvåg.

The integral version of Mr. Kamsvåg's speech

National campaign "Do not turn your back on violence- report it” promo videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbihFAbFbOo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFmlJ9y3b8Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkLQMXDjgLc

"Living a life with the absence of violence is a basic human right"

Royal Norwegian Embassy in Belgrade