Montenegro

“16 days campaign against violence” Urge Men as Role Models To Fight Violence Against Women

The Office for Gender Equality of the Government of Montenegro, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Foundation Open Society Institute, Representative Office Montenegro (FOSI ROM) and the United Nations Country Team in Montenegro (UNCT) organized a media conference to announce the beginning of the campaign “16 days campaign against violence”* in Montenegro. The campaign is supported by the Montenegro Waterpolo and Swimming Federation and the Montenegro Basketball Federation.

“The most common type of violence against women is domestic violence. On the pretext of protection of privacy and family life, domestic violence was not sanctioned for a long time, and women within their families were unprotected. The role of the international organizations that Montenegro is a member of - such as the UN or the Council of Europe, or that Montenegro is striving for (EU) – is extremely positive when it comes to domestic violence,” said Ms. Nada Drobnjak, Head of Office for Gender Equality of the Government of Montenegro in her opening speech. „Our country is not an exception when it comes to international legislation standards in domain of domestic violence. All it takes now is to change our professional practices for the purpose of an in-depth problem solving. Our country has based its response to gender-based violence on the Law on Gender Equality and Activity Plan for Achieving Gender Equality, as well as the Law on Protection against Domestic Violence and its application, in cooperation with all relevant authorities and civil society – and because that problem cannot be solved by individuals, cooperation of certain ministries or NGOs is needed. We need to build Montenegro in the way to make domestic violence exception not a common thing as it has unfortunately been - and still is - in our surroundings. That is why the Activity Plan for Achieving Gender Equality in Montenegro anticipates gender mainstreaming policies in all domains of life to promote the positive values of international documents and to stop violence against women, all this because Montenegro wants to be a country that will nourish ’zero tolerance for violence’ policy. This campaign is an opportunity for Montenegro to actively join in the efforts of the international community to put an end to violence against women and domestic violence by sending a message ’Domestic violence requests active participation of men’. It is necessary to involve men in active cooperation because men do participate in raising of children. As role models to their sons they can, and they are obliged to send positive messages about respect, honor and responsibility,“ Ms. Drobnjak concluded.

“The fact that so many international organizations and governmental entities have decided to join efforts to support it says a lot regarding how important combating violence against women is,” said H.E. Ambassador Paraschiva Badescu, Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro. “As a country that is working in all spheres towards European integration, Montenegro is aware that first and foremost all aspects of human rights have to be respected. Dealing with and combating the abuse of women, 50% of the total population, should therefore be a priority. This year's campaign, I feel, is not only innovative but also aimed at the right target—men and boys. Men in Montenegro, whether they be fathers, brothers, uncles or even kumovi, take great pride in teaching the boys and young men in their lives how to swim, kick a football, the customs and traditions of their family and community and the simple wisdom they have gained in life. Boys and young men are incredibly receptive to all of this, so part of that teaching should also include the fact that violence against girls and women is not only wrong, but also something that is not part of being a man. This year's campaign is also special because it has brought together so many international organizations, governmental institutions, private businesses and leading personalities in Montenegrin society who recognize the importance of both instilling in our boys and young men the values that will make them men and to take steps to combat this abuse of human rights. The OSCE Mission to Montenegro recognizes the importance of giving full respect to all human rights and the crucial role this respect plays in building a modern and integrated society. The OSCE will continue to cooperate with Montenegrin institutions, the international community and the society as a whole to strengthen this respect, and I cannot think of a better or more worthy area to be involved than combating gender-based violence,” said Ambassador Paraschiva Badescu.

Mr. Serge Ducasse, UNHCR Representative in Montenegro, on behalf of the UNCT Montenegro said: “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 face domestic violence. That domestic violence represents a violation of human rights is confirmed 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 and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The states signatories to these international treaties are obliged to responsibly conduct policies and to introduce measures for significant reduction of domestic violence.”

“At the national level, more and more countries are meeting their obligations to protect women through comprehensive legislation, better services for victims, stronger partnerships and increased efforts to engage men and boys in addressing the problem. This progress is welcome, but there are still gaps,” Mr. Ducasse emphasized. “According to the recent report of the European Commission, every second woman in Montenegro is a victim of verbal abuse whereas every third woman is a victim of physical abuse. The number of reported cases of domestic violence against women raised by 7.3 percent in 2008, says the report. We invite men to be part of the solution by teaching the next generation that violence is a crime. We cannot and should not tolerate attitudes and behaviors that condone, excuse or ignore violence committed against women. The UN, therefore, appeals for: 1) Enforcement of  laws and counter impunity; 2) Increased funding for services for victims; 3) Closer cooperation between NGOs and Government on this matter as well as financial support from the Government to NGO shelters and SOS lines for victims; 4) Fast adoption of a new law on protection from violence in the family. It’s time for men to take action against domestic violence. To lead by their own example. To teach boys that hurting women is wrong. There’s no excuse for domestic violence. And there’s no excuse for any of us to be silent about this issue. We must speak out in our families, workplaces and communities, so that acts of violence against women cease. For all of us, it is time to reaffirm our commitment against domestic violence, and to act. Tomorrow, it will be too late for many women and girls. Lets do it now! As we say in this campaign ‘The next move is yours’!,” Mr. Ducasse underlined.

“This is not the first time that the organizations present today are participating in this kind of campaign, but maybe it is the first time that we all gathered together. Is 60th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights the reason that we all gathered around a common goal or is it because we all understand that the moment has come for Montenegro, on its way to the European Union, to make more serious steps regarding violence against women?”, asked Ms. Sanja Elezović, Director of the Foundation Open Society Institute, Representative Office Montenegro. “As it was already said, violence against women is a global phenomenon and a global problem, and it is usually solved in similar ways in all countries: through the legislative framework and its implementation, through activities of the civil society, raising awareness and changing mentality. What have we done in Montenegro? As you know, legislative framework is being developed and we suppose it will soon be finished. Its implementation still has certain deficiencies, though laws are being implemented. Civil society, women NGOs above all, are the ones to whom we should pay the tribute and give the credit for initiating this kind of activities in Montenegro, because in the mid 90ies women’s civil sector initiated the story about the violence against women as an important social problem. Thus, the civil society should be highly accredited and further supported in its activities,” Ms. Elezović underlined.

“Regarding raising awareness and changing mentality, we should go back to the fact that every second woman in Montenegro experiences psychological abuse, whereas every third woman experiences physical abuse. Let’s go back and tell this story in a different way: every second man in Montenegro is not aware that by abusing a woman verbally he actually verbally abuses himself and his own children. Every third man who commits physical violence against woman is not aware that he is at the same time committing physical violence against family as the most sacred thing in Montenegro. It is necessary to work on changing mentality,” Mr. Elezović emphasized. She also thanked the media representatives for coming to the conference and she reminded them that they are the ones who can do a lot for the campaign “16 days campaign against violence” - as the messages of the campaign that address men: fathers, grandfathers, coaches, uncles, etc., can become much more important and have a much bigger effect with the help of media.

“For me as a professional coach and a father of two boys an opportunity to contribute to this campaign represents a special chance to raise my voice against domestic violence and violence against women. Every human being, regardless of gender, race or religion, is equally important on this planet and each one of them deserves to be respected,” said Mr. Igor Kolaković, Head Coach of Montenegrin “Budućnost” Valleyball Team and Head Coach of Serbian National Volleyball Team. “Unfortunately, today we all witness peer violence on the streets, in schoolyards, and I recognize it myself in sports as physical and mental violence. The violence which deserves particular condemnation and requires organized action of the entire society is domestic one, which in most cases means violence against women and children.”

“We teach our sons, our cousins’ and neighbours’ sons how to hit the ball, how to be strong, how to win. But, do we invest enough energy in teaching boys that being strong does not imply violence? Are we aware of what kind of a role model are we for those kids? All their life children have a need to imitate their parents, so within our families and on everyday basis we need to make an effort to demonstrate mutual respect, trust, confidence and support. We should not forget that our children make memories every day and it depends only on us how they will remember us. Children are of course not brought up only by their families. Social responsibility is exceptionally big, especially through education system. Media nowadays, by showing violent movies and video games of similar content induce violent behavior, creating in this way distorted modern heroes and modern idols of our children. I invite you, therefore, to teach your sons that being a real man means to respect and esteem women, and that being strong does not mean being a bully. You are their role model. They will listen to you. The power of change is in our hands. The ball is on our side,” concluded Mr. Kolaković.

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This  campaign invites men to be part of the solution by teaching the next generation that violence is always wrong. The campaign targets men – whether fathers, coaches, teachers, uncles, brothers or mentors – who spend time with pre-teen and teenage boys.

The aim of the “16 days campaign against violence” campaign is to mobilize the support of wider public in Montenegro and to raise awareness towards long-term problem solutions for domestic violence. We are confident that this campaign will motivate men to set the right examples for young boys and speak with them about the important issue of domestic violence prevention.

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The global international campaign “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence” has been carried out by over 1,700 organizations in more than 100 countries since 1991. Every year the campaign officially starts on November 25th, the International Day Against Violence Against Women as proclaimed by the United Nations, and it lasts until December 10th, the International Human Rights Day.

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 face domestic violence.

That domestic violence represents a violation of human rights is even confirmed 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.

According to the researches of NGOs every fourth woman is exposed by their partner to the most radical form of violence – physical violence, whilst every second woman in Montenegro experiences verbal abuse.

* This campaign is based on the American NGO Family Violence Prevention Fund campaign against violence.

Key messages of the campaign in Montenegrin (PowerPoint Presentation 3.7MB)