Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro, Ms Oana-Cristina Popa, released a video statement today, encouraging all relevant institutions, political and social stakeholders across Montenegro, to do their part to enable all women in Montenegro to lead safer, healthier and more prosperous life, noting that the European Union, EU, will be there to help and lead by example.
“We talk every day about the coronavirus pandemic and how it has changed our way of life, but we rarely talk about another issue of pandemic proportions: gender-based violence. This shadowed pandemic has been further exacerbated by the coronavirus crisis. No country, rich or poor, big or small, has been spared”, noted Ms Popa.
As Europeans, we must not remain silent about the fact that one in three women around the world has experienced physical and/or sexual violence.
“In societies that tolerate violence, fail to punish perpetrators and blame victims, women are less likely to speak about it. To end this culture of silence and blaming victims, we need a stronger response from governments, police and justice.”
Unfortunately, she says, Montenegro is by no means immune to this global scourge. Gender-based violence represents the most prevalent type of violation of human rights in Montenegro, and since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve witnessed a rise of 27% in reported cases of domestic violence. The victims of domestic violence need our support, now more than ever.
“For Montenegro, ensuring full safety, equality and justice for women would represent a powerful testimony of society’s genuine commitment to the European values,” she stated.
The European Union, she points out, is launching an ambitious plan to promotion the gender equality and women’s empowerment worldwide, through the initiative called ‘Gender Action Plan III’.
The EU Delegation will be illuminated in orange for three days, starting from 25 November, in solidarity for the victims of domestic violence.
