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PES Election Congress 2024

Party of European Socialists (PES) Election Congress on March 2, 2024

 The recent congress held on March 2nd, 2024, underscored a resolute commitment to the Party of European Socialists (PES) Election Congress. As a prominent political party within the European Union (EU), PES champions social democratic values and policies.

Key Points:

  1. PES’s Vision: The PES aims to foster a fair, inclusive, and progressive Europe. With a focus on social justice, equality, and solidarity, the party advocates for policies that benefit all citizens.
  2. Enlargement Process: Amid discussions, the congress addressed the EU’s enlargement process. As the EU considers potential new member states, PES emphasizes the importance of maintaining democratic principles and shared values.
  3. Stakeholder Engagement: Policymakers, experts, and stakeholders actively participated in exploring strategies and policies related to critical issues. Their commitment to shaping a better future for Europe was evident throughout the congress.

PES Election Congress serves as a pivotal platform for advancing social democratic ideals and shaping the EU’s trajectory. The commitment demonstrated during this event underscores the party’s dedication to a stronger, more cohesive Europe and CEE Gender Network was there.

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MOMENTUM FOR DEMOCRACY IN THE WESTERN BALKANS

Joint political event organised by the Italian Socialist Party and the Italian Democratic Party in cooperation with the European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity and the CEE Network for Gender Issues

On March 1st, 2024, Rome hosted a significant event that brought together political leaders, experts, and activists to discuss critical issues related to gender equality and democracy in the Western Balkans. The conference aimed to foster dialogue, share insights, and explore pathways toward a more inclusive and equitable future.

The event commenced on Friday, March 1st, serving as a prelude to the main congress scheduled for the following day. Participants gathered at the conference venue, eager to engage in meaningful discussions. Here are some highlights:

  1. Enzo Maraio(National Secretary, PSI): Enzo Maraio set the tone for the conference by emphasizing the urgency of addressing gender disparities in the Western Balkans. As a prominent political figure, his insights resonated with the audience.
  2. Daša Šašić Šilović(Chair, CEE Network for Gender Issues; Board Member, European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity): Daša’s expertise in gender advocacy and her commitment to democratic values made her a compelling speaker. Her call for collective action reverberated throughout the room.

Panel Discussion: “Are the Balkans and the Neighborhood Boiling?”

The afternoon session featured a lively political debate and Q&A session. Distinguished panelists shared their perspectives on regional tensions, social challenges, and the role of gender equality in fostering stability. Notable participants included:

  • Radmila Šekerinska (PES Vice President; former Deputy President, SDUM; Minister of Defense, North Macedonia): Radmila’s experience as a leader and advocate underscored the interconnectedness of security and gender rights.
  • Borko Stefanović (Deputy President, Party of Freedom and Justice; Vice President, Serbian Parliament): Borko’s insights shed light on the delicate balance between political freedom and social justice.
  • Zita Gurmai (President, PES Women; MP, Hungary): Zita’s passionate advocacy for women’s rights resonated with the audience, emphasizing the need for cross-border collaboration.
  • Saša Magazinović (Member, National House of Representatives, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Representative in the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly): Saša’s presence highlighted the importance of parliamentary engagement in advancing gender equality.

Panel Discussion: “Is Commitment to EU Enlargement Real?”

  1. Matilda Ernkrans (Deputy Chair, Committee on EU Affairs in the Swedish Parliament; former Minister of Development Aid, Sweden): Matilda’s pragmatic approach emphasized the need for tangible actions to align with EU standards.
  2. Bojan Marichikj (First Deputy Prime Minister, Government of North Macedonia; International Secretary, SDUM): Bojan’s insights highlighted the delicate balance between national sovereignty and European integration.
  3. Adnan Dibrani (MP, Sweden): Adnan’s perspective underscored the challenges faced by aspiring EU members and the importance of political will.
  4. Piero Fassino (Partito Democratico; MP): Piero’s presence (though tentative) added depth to the discussion, emphasizing the role of political parties in the enlargement process.

Moderators

  • Daša Šašić Šilović (Chair, CEE Network for Gender Issues; Board Member, European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity): Daša skillfully guided both panels, ensuring a balanced and informative exchange of ideas.
  • Pia Locatelli (International Secretary, PSI; Honorary President, SIW; Board Member, CEE Network for Gender Issues): Pia’s leadership underscored the importance of international cooperation in addressing gender-related challenges.
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Tuesday 6 February 2024 at House of Europe, Augusta Cesarca 4, Zagreb, Croatia

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EU Project on Combating Sexual Violence in the Workplace:
2nd Transnational Project Meeting

On February 6, 2024, an international conference on combating sexual harassment in the workplace was held at the European House of Europe in Zagreb. The conference addressed the issue of sexual harassment, which is a common and serious occurrence that undermines the dignity and safety of workers, particularly women. Many victims hesitate to report such incidents due to fear of job loss, stigmatization, and lack of trust in institutions. Society often downplays or justifies violence, sending discouraging messages to victims.

During the meeting, which took place in Zagreb, representatives from organizations implementing the project in Belgium, Spain, Bulgaria, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, and Croatia decided to continue media campaigns and awareness-raising efforts until the end of the year. Additionally, they plan to create a handbook that explains the reporting systems and mechanisms for addressing workplace sexual harassment.

The “Teamwork 2” project, funded by the European Union through the Rights, Equality, and Citizenship program, focuses on preventing and addressing cases of sexual harassment in the workplace. The project aims to educate and empower victims, employers, trade unions, and civil society organizations to recognize, report, and address violence. It also seeks to improve mechanisms for victim protection and perpetrator accountability.

Thirteen civil society organizations from seven European countries—Croatia, Greece, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, and Cyprus—participate in the project alongside the Gender Equality Ombudswoman. Together, they aim to establish a functional victim protection system through the “Teamwork 2” initiative.

Nikos Moraitis, from the Industrial and Business Training Institute in Greece, succinctly described the project as follows: raising awareness in companies about the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace, empowering workers to come forward and report incidents of sexual harassment, and assisting companies in improving their mechanisms to combat sexual harassment through workshops and education.

Lovorka Marinović, from the Center for New Initiatives, highlighted a grim reality based on statistical data from the UNDP’s Gender Social Norms Index. Over the past decade, there has been no improvement in attitudes toward women. The research, conducted across 80 countries representing 80% of the world’s population, revealed the following:

  • 49% of respondents believe that men make better politicians than women.
  • Only 27% think that gender equality is crucial for democracy.
  • 46% believe that men have greater rights in the workplace.
  • 25% consider it acceptable for a man to physically harm his partner.

These findings did not surprise Daša Šilović from the Central and East European Network for Gender Issues. She emphasized that this project aims to confront a culture of violence, particularly in our region. The roots of this violence lie in wars, poverty, fear, and hopelessness, which then manifest across various levels. The issue of power dynamics plays a crucial role—those who are stronger and dominant perpetuate violence. Real change requires policy shifts at decision-making levels; merely taking to the streets is insufficient. The problem persists universally, even when laws exist but are not effectively enforced due to political indifference.

Nebojša Paunović, a legal advisor at the Office of the Ombudswoman for Gender Equality, emphasized that they are partners in the project and that the Ombudswoman offers assistance and support to victims of sexual harassment. He highlighted that through education and continuous training, sensitivity to such offenses is developed, and victims are empowered with the help of their surroundings. By reporting incidents, victims understand the purpose of their complaint. He encouraged both women and men to reach out to the Ombudswoman if they experience sexual harassment in the workplace and their employer fails to protect them. He emphasized that the Office will penalize employers who do not provide mechanisms to safeguard workers’ dignity.

As part of Project Teamwork 2, several companies and public institutions in Croatia will undergo training to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. Each of us can take action starting tomorrow by not turning a blind eye to violence but instead assisting victims and standing up against perpetrators.

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Rethinking, retooling and re-energising gender equality post covid-19

Is gender mainstreaming a reality in social democratic parties in the Western Balkans? A case study of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia

“Rethinking, retooling and re-energising gender equality post covid-19” on the current situation of the implementation of gender mainstreaming in social democratic parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, North Macedonia and Serbia. Is gender mainstreaming a reality in this area? Based on the results obtained, the authors provide a set of policy recommendations for social democratic parties. Acknowledging that gender equality is an important challenge for the future, the objective is to raise awareness and, in turn, guarantee the implementation of gender mainstreaming through the work of women’s forums and social democratic parties themselves.

Bridging The Gender Pay Gap in the Western Balkans?

A country case study of Croatia, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia

The policy study on the gender pay gap in the Western Balkans reveals that while legal frameworks exist, practical implementation remains lacking. COVID-19 exacerbated gender inequalities, and the reduction in the pay gap is a dynamic process. Recommendations include better monitoring and addressing societal context.

TeamWork2 – Combat sexual harassment in the workplace

Athens, Greece March 2023

 

CNI/CEE Network for Gender Issues, within a consortium of 13 European NGOs from Bulgaria, Belgium, Greece, Italy, Cyprus, Spain and Croatia, launched a joint project on sexual harassment supported by the European Union today in Athens.

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"Korčula School" think tank

The "Korčula School" has become a recognized regional South Eastern European think tank that focuses on progressive and social democratic policies to promote gender equality.

Initiated in 2012 by the CEE Network for Gender Issues the "Korčula School" is designed to be a unique political, ideological, free thinking space for a substantive and forward-looking exchange of views on critical ideological and political issues on transforming politics to promote gender equality.  

The "Korčula School" brings together women and men political leaders from center left and social democratic parties, experts, political activists, and feminists, especially from South Eastern Europe to discuss gender equality issues.