Serbia

In 2024, notable progress was achieved in addressing violence against women and girls in Serbia, a critical issue impacting countless lives and impeding gender equality, with efforts directly contributing to advancement of SDG target 5.2 on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls, and SDG target 16.1, which aims to reduce all forms of violence and related deaths to attain peaceful and inclusive societies. The Serbia�s Judicial Academy, Ministry of Justice, and the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights have strengthened institutional responses to prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV) with a more survivor-centered and gender-responsive justice system. In ensuring a more informed, sensitive, and rights-based legal response, legal professionals now apply survivor-centered approaches in GBV cases. The next generation of legal professionals and judiciary representatives, including clerks and students, embed gender-sensitive judicial practices into the country�s legal system, fostering long-term institutional change. Misdemeanor court judges tackle misconceptions about domestic violence with improved practical application of the Law on the Prevention of Domestic Violence, enhancing the judiciary's ability to deliver timely and more effective protection measures for survivors. Advanced systemic changes in victim support services, ensures survivors receive the protection, guidance, and justice they deserve, while institutions uphold their rights and safety. An in-depth analysis of victim support services named �Assessment of the capacity of services for assistance and support to victims and witnesses of criminal acts in Serbia: challenges and recommendations� ensures survivors receive the protection, guidance, and justice they deserve, while institutions uphold their rights and safety. By challenging the societal norms that perpetuate GBV, the #UnlikeViolence campaign mobilized public awareness and advocacy against digital violence as a form of GBV, reinforcing the need for collective action to dismantle these harmful norms. As part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against GBV, the campaign�s highlight - the �Digital Reality� installation - exposed the real-life online abuse faced by prominent Serbian women, turning their experiences into a powerful demand for systemic change. Backed by public figures, media engagement, and civil society allies, the campaign reached over 10 million people. Through these coordinated efforts, UN Women Serbia addressed legal, systemic, and societal dimensions of violence against women, creating a replicable, comprehensive approach to fostering a safer and more equitable society for women and girls.

Individuals, organizations, and institutions increased understanding of women�s rights to inheritance and negative consequences of resigning their right. This directly tackles established stereotypes and norms in society and encourages participants to question their attitudes and behaviours and within their own families. In terms of inheritance rights protection, 674 women received free legal support, while 15 CSOs and experts for gender equality and inheritance issues established a coalition for equal inheritance to empower women to exercise their rights, build economic independence and on public advocacy. Commissioner for Protection of Equality supported CSOs initiatives towards Chamber of Notaries in informing parties in probate process on the consequences of giving an inheritance declaration and towards National Employment Service to modify the criteria for business space ownership. Decision-makers (Governmental Coordination Body for GE, the Ombudsman, Deputy Speaker of the Serbian Parliament, Minister for Social Affairs, the State Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, and the two Members of Parliament) attended six advocacy meetings to discuss possible legal changes to protect women that already resign their rights and are in a negative economic position. As a result of direct support 438 high school aged youth, (250 girls) learned about negative impact of gender stereotypes related to inheritance rights, while 245 women from Zlatibor district improved knowledge on rights to inherit and raised awareness about negative consequences of stereotypes. The percentage of women and men from Zlatibor district who understand gender stereotypes increased by 21% (compared to the first survey conducted by Women�s Forum Prijepolje). More than 94% respondents now believe that women should accept inheritance equally. Additionally, 915,650 women and men engaged with 42 pieces of media contents on inheritance rights produced by TV Forum. Individuals viewed a social media campaign related to inheritance, ��What is my share�� by WAKD, over 3 million times. Institutions increased their awareness of women�s inheritance rights; 90 government and civil society actors, academia, independent institutions, Chamber of Notaries, courts, and development partners were learned about stereotypes regarding women�s inheritance rights and economic violence as part of the National Conference marking 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence. Attendees also accessed a Guide The right to inheritance - equal for all. To achieve these results, UN Women Serbia partner with independent institutions and CSOs to support locally led initiatives,