Montenegro

Stop Violence Against Women

Domestic violence is a global problem which exceeds the limits of different cultures, economic groups, religions, gender. It takes various shapes and it does not bypass any society. Statistical data in the UN Secretary General’s Report for 2006 show that between 40% and 70% of murders of women were committed by their (ex) partners, while every third woman experiences domestic violence.

«Violence against women is a breach of human rights, and that is why we should encourage every individual to oppose it. The country is obliged to show political will and promote non-violence and tolerance as models of behaviour,» said Ms. Nada Drobnjak, Head of Office for Gender Equality of the Government of Montenegro. She pointed out that violence against women should be termed properly and made socially unacceptable in every way.

«By adopting the Constitution, the Law on Gender Equality and the amendments made to the Penal Code, the legislative framework for protection from violence against women has been improved. Nevertheless, the capacities for implementation of these laws are far from satisfactory so there are serious problems in implementation of legal regulations. Penal policy towards perpetrators of violence is too mild,» explained Ms. Drobnjak. She also reminded that during 2008 Montenegro would be obliged to adopt a plan of activities for gender equality, and one part of it should be devoted to violence against women and girls.

In this regard, Ms. Drobnjak also said: «In terms of improving normative framework for violence against women, it is necessary to prepare and adopt a specific law on prevention of domestic violence, and to enhance current regulations by adding paragraphs about protection from violence in the laws on social protection, labour and police. In addition, protocols for handling all kinds of violence against women should be adopted, too.»

According to statistical data, domestic violence is increasing in Montenegro.  Mr. Mijo Bulatović, Senior Police Commissioner at the Police Directorate of Montenegro specified: «Compared to the last year, there is a 7,3% increase in the number of reported cases. Total number of reports in this year is 570, while 50% of cases were registered in Podgorica». Mr. Bulatović also added: «When it comes to the reasons for domestic violence, the most frequently mentioned ones are alcoholism, disfunctional marital and family relations, though we have also registered violence committed under the influence of drugs.»

It is important to mention other forms of domestic violence such as economic violence. Ms. Jelena Radulović, Head of Department for Promotion of Public Health at the Institute for Public Health of Montenegro said that «every fourth woman in Montenegro experienced economic violence. It is alarming that most of these women are not aware that their rights are being breached». Ms. Radulović also reminded of the fact that most of the women who experienced any kind of violence do not even ask for the medical help. «Only 14% of them asked for help, and out of this number, only 43 reported to doctor what exactly happened,» said Ms. Radulović, expressing also concern that these women live in constant fear of their husbands and social condemnation.

Mr. Mirsad Bibović, UNDP Institutional and Judicial Reform Cluster Team Leader reminded that according to the researches of NGOs every second woman in Montenegro experiences verbal abuse, whilst every fourth woman is exposed by their partner to the most radical form of violence – physical violence. «The problem of violence against women is complex, it encroaches deep in the private sphere, and its successful prevention requires a synchronised action of all actors in society. It is necessary that the political, expert and wider public in Montenegro give full support in order to advance legal frame and professional procedures, as well as development of collaboration among relevant institutions on all levels,» said Mr. Bibović.

“This is exactly the reason why the Office for Gender Equality of the Government of Montenegro and the UNDP organized this seminar, and a lead idea is the fact that production of the Law on Protection against Domestic Violence is underway, and we believe it will substantially contribute to the protection of victims.», Mr. Bibović pointed out.

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That domestic violence represents a violation of human rights is confirmed even by the International Law, as well as by numerous measures for prevention and sanctioning of this problem defined in international treaties and conventions, such as Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, Convention on the Rights of the Child, etc..

The states signatories to these international treaties are obliged to responsibly conduct politics and to introduce measures for significant reduction of domestic violence.