Montenegro

IPA Gender Programme welcomes the adoption of mandatory quota for women on electoral lists

Podgorica, 16 September 2011
                                                                                     
The team of the Gender Programme IPA 2010 welcomes the adoption of the Law on Election of Chancellors and Members of Parliament which stipulates a mandatory quota of 30% for women on electoral lists.

The introduction of quotas is a good entry point which creates an opportunity for women to make a greater contribution to and influence more strongly political decision making.  However, it is necessary that political parties invest additioanl efforts so that women have a true chance to participate in the work of Montenegrin and local parliaments.
 
 
Therefore, through the Gender Programme we will provide full support to parliamentary political parties to ensure quality implementation of the new provision of the Law and greater participation of women in the 2013 elections. We believe that in such a manner Montenegro approaches the best practices of the countries in the European Union and fullfills the standards accepted through ratified UN conventions. At the same time, this will enable Montenegrin citizens to build an open, democratic and participatory society of equal opportunities. 

We would like to thank Montenegrin intellectuals, the academic community and representatives of three universities- University of Montenegro, University Mediteran and University Donja Gorica, for the public support they provided to the introduction of quotas in the new Electoral Law and for raising public awareness of the importance of greater representation of women in public life.

We also welcome partnership efforts and the contribution of NGOs and the media in promoting women's human rights.  

On behalf of Gender Programme:

Kaća Đuričković, Manager