Kaca Djurickovic, Gender Programme Manager, UNDP in MontenegroÂ
It’s happening. It took more than 100 years to learn that we can’t move ahead without women. “Unavoidable” says Europe, “Mandatory for sustainable development” says UNDP, “A basic democratic principle,” says the Council of Europe. “It’s fair, just and desperately needed,” says my mom!
Women in politics: Their silence in history is deafening. Still, you probably heard that many years ago the world gave up burning “witches” after the 15th, 16th and 17th century. But it’s past now. Good. A Dark Age – A closed chapter.
However, maybe it’s not. Do you know there are still women around the world forbidden to have an opinion, demoted from decision-making positions, beaten, stoned to death…?
The 1920s brought women the right to vote and quite a number of changes have happened since then. Civilization moved ahead considerably in those years. Women joined the labour force: consequently, the economy progressed. Politics is, of course, somewhat different. In the same century, just twenty years later we had another World War. Difficult times indeed. Where were women in those years? Would it have been different if women were asked and had the power of decision?
It hasn’t been that long since the Head of the Montenegrin Parliament was a woman – the only one in history. The only Speaker who was asked about her number of marriages, if she has kids, who’s her hairdresser? Where does she buy her clothes? What is her style or favourite colour? When does she cook for her family?
They also call her the “Pink Speaker of Parliament.” Can you believe it? Today, Montenegro has changed of course.
Montenegro today, now, actually this moment, echoes in female history. Women claimed their right to share power. They are mandated by United Nations conventions, best practices from the European Union, democratic principles, fair and just division of labour, the right to speak, decide, make changes… wow, what a mandate.
Women from all political parties claim their right to at least 30 percent of parliamentary seats, and it’s not just that. Women want parity! These are the minimum standards for Montenegro today. It’s a minimum for human rights, a minimum for the fight against poverty, for a gender responsive economy, taxes, urban development, the fight against organized crime, a minimum for a European Montenegro.
>> See Parliaments – how to make them more accessible for women?
June 27 2011: 297 members of the academic and scientific community joined women from all political parties in calling for more women in the Montenegrin Parliament. This was almost certainly the largest public appeal to the Parliamentary Committee working on Electoral Law.
Will a larger one follow? The voices of 297 members of the academic and scientific community, the intellectual elite of Montenegro in 21st Century, say that a quota for women in electoral law is instrumental for development, just like education, the right to work and the right to vote.
>> See:Â Women underrepresented in public decision-making. Can quotas help?
Women proved to be dedicated, grass roots oriented, strategic and caring politicians. Grounded in real life, grounded in real needs. They proved to be persistent in achieving their goals, and principled in putting public interests ahead of their own.
Montenegro needs a change in political culture. We want people-oriented politics, and we want a human touch in politics.
September 8 2011: Montenegro joins the “club” of countries responsive to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and introduces a quota of 30 percent in Electoral Law. No political party will run unless they have 30 percent of women on the list.
We can complain or celebrate, but the fact is – we step closer to develop, democratic Montenegro. Isn’t that the common goal?
Tags: equality, gender equality, Human rights, Montenegro, parity, parliament, quotas, women