The representative of …IZ KRUGA -VOJVODINA, Ivana Zelic, talked at the conference Fighting Sexual Violence against Women – Legal Framework Improvement and Acting. It took place on October 27 and 28 in Belgrade, Palace of Serbia.
Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Serbia, Coordinating Body for Gender Equality of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN WOMEN) organized the conference.
The conference aimed to improve the framework of action in cases of violence against women through the improvement of legal framework and harmonization with international obligations and the development of dialogue between relevant actors.
On the second day of the conference, Ivana Zelic talked about the position of women with disabilities survivors of sexual violence and the influence of regulations on the practice in the cases of sexual violence.
– Even though the social and legislative reform changed some stands about persons with disabilities, this community still faces prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination. Women with disabilities are considered emotionally and physically weak or intellectually incompetent, thus putting them at higher risk of sexual violence. Women with disabilities depend on the daily assistance of other people in some cases, which might increase their vulnerability and exposure to sexual violence – said Ivana Zelic.
Ivana Zelic, gave recommendations for the improvement of the position of women with disabilities survivors of sexual violence. They relate to the provision of different channels for reporting violence (phone, e-mail, SMS, social networks), reducing the financial dependence of women with disabilities, understanding basic information about sexual violence, maintaining training on healthy sexuality and reproductive rights, reducing isolation and the availability of support and protection services.
Representatives of the Coordination Body for Gender Equality, the Ministry of Justice, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and United Nations Agency for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Serbia (UN WOMEN), the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, as well as representatives of the judiciary and the civil sector spoke at the conference.
Photo: Piroshki Photography
