Podgorica, (MINA) - The issue of the position of women is not only an issue of justice towards women, but an issue of the quality of democracy, said Vice-President of the European Court of Human Rights Ivana Jelic.

She said this at the panel discussion “Rights, Justice, Action - For all Women and Girls”, organized by the EU Delegation in Podgorica, on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

Jelic recalled that Montenegro is part of the European human rights protection system and that its democratic development is deeply connected with the European legal and value framework.

She emphasized the importance of the presence of women in institutions – in politics, academia, economy, but also in the judiciary.

According to Jelic, gender-based violence remains one of the key forms of violation of women’s human rights in Europe.

She also pointed out that femicide has not yet been recognized everywhere as a separate criminal offense, adding that she must direct criticism to all countries that have not done so.

Jelic said that the second challenge is related to economic inequality, including wage gaps and insufficient representation of women in leadership positions, while the third challenge concerns the women’s participation in public life, which today is accompanied by new forms of pressure.

“I believe that Montenegro will soon become an EU member and that this generation will significantly contribute to the full realization of human rights, the rule of law and democracy, which should become a normal part of everyday life, not an abstract ideal or platitude”, said Jelic.

Deputy Head of the EU Delegation Riccardo Serri recalled that the International Women’s Day has been celebrated for more than a century and that it is always an opportunity to reflect on the commitment to improving the rights and position of women.

“Gender equality and women’s rights remain one of the key challenges of our time”, said Serri, recalling that women make up less than one third of the seats in parliaments worldwide.

Serri also recalled the fact that almost one out of three women at the world level has experienced some kind of physical or psychological violence.

Minister of Education, Science and Innovation Andjela Jaksic Stojanovic pointed out the importance of education reform in the context of gender equality and emphasized the need to update textbooks.