Serbia Advances Gender Equality with Rising Political Share and Mixed Public Perceptions

A survey by the Commissioner for Equality shows a sharp gender gap in how Serbians view gender equality: about 60 % of men say it has been achieved, compared with only 40 % of women. Men tend to evaluate equality through the legislative framework, while women focus on practical issues such as unpaid work, stereotypes, discrimination and family‑care responsibilities. Jelena Kotević, the commissioner’s assistant, said the findings will guide efforts to involve men more directly in policy‑making and public debate.

Minister Tatjana Macura, who heads Serbia’s dedicated gender‑equality ministry, announced that the country now scores 74 points on women’s political participation – well above the European Union average of roughly 62 points. Serbia is the first Western Balkan state to have a ministerial portfolio covering gender equality, women’s economic and political empowerment, and prevention of violence against women. Macura highlighted a 40 % reduction in homicides linked to domestic violence since the 2013 ratification of the Istanbul Convention and related legal reforms.