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Home Newsroom News and press releases Montenegro has made positive steps, but law to combat domestic violence essential, says OSCE Gender Adviser
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Montenegro has made positive steps, but law to combat domestic violence essential, says OSCE Gender Adviser

PODGORICA 10 December 2009
(OSCE)Jamila Seftaoui, OSCE Senior Gender Advisor (c), Jose Mendes Bota of PACE (l) and Nada Drobnjak, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee for Gender Equality at a press conference on violence against women in the Parliament of Montenegro, 8 Dec. 2009 (OSCE) Photo details

PODGORICA, 10 December 2009 - Montenegro has taken positive steps to implement its gender equality commitments but a comprehensive approach to combating violence against women and a law on protection against domestic violence are essential to ensuring fundamental rights and security for women, said OSCE Senior Adviser on Gender Issues Jamila Seftaoui in Podgorica today.

Seftaoui is in Montenegro in support of the international campaign "16 days of activism against gender violence". She met Deputy Parliament Speaker Rifat Rastoder and took part in a session of Montenegro's Parliamentary Committee for Gender Equality, where she presented the OSCE publication, Bringing Security Home: Combating Violence against Women in the OSCE Region. A compilation of good practices, in the Montenegrin language.

"There is nothing justifiable about violence against women, nothing to be explained by culture, tradition or the lack of education. Violence against women not only affects individuals, but impedes a country's development in every sphere," said Seftaoui.

She noted the positive steps Montenegro had taken towards implementing its gender equality commitments with the approval of the Law on Gender Equality in 2007, and the five-year action plan for the Achievement of Gender Equality in 2008. This year's 16 days campaign has received support not only from civil society but also from high-level government officials, including the President of Montenegro, the Prime Minister and the Parliament Speaker.

The Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Ambassador Paraschiva Badescu, also commended the Government's adoption of the draft Law on Protection from Domestic Violence, for which the OSCE Mission provided legal expertise and which is now under discussion in the Parliament.

"We hope that this important piece of legislation comes into force as soon as possible, to encourage all, in their various capacities, to take action to end domestic violence and to hold to account those who commit violence against women and the family," said Badescu.