The Protector of Citizens, Zoran Pašalić, congratulated all women in the Republic of Serbia on March 8 – International Women's Day and called on all those who suffer any form of discrimination, abuse and violence to strengthen themselves and report it to the competent authorities or directly to the institution headed by him.
"Even today, more than 100 years after the beginning of the struggle for their rights, women face inequality, discrimination, prejudice, a disadvantageous position on the labour market and gender-based violence. That's why I call on all women to empower themselves to report the discrimination, abuse and violence they encounter to the competent authorities or the Protector of Citizens", Pašalić said.
Pašalić stated that women are the victims of murder, abuse and violence in the largest percentage, most often by a family member or an emotional partner, and repeated the call for women to report any form of mental or physical abuse to the competent authorities in order to avoid a fatal outcome.
"Violence should be recognized in time, competent authorities have an obligation to act efficiently and effectively in providing complete protection to women from abuse and violence. Also, as a society, we have an obligation to continue working continuously to improve the position of women in all areas of life", Pašalić said.