Outcome SRB_D_1.1

All people, especially the more vulnerable, benefit from the realization of human rights, gender equality, social cohesion and enhanced rule of law in line with international commitments (UNSDCF Outcome 3.1)

2,694 women across Serbia increased their capacities and skills to develop their businesses with the help of UN Women supported projects. s Out of that number, more than 2,000 rural, Roma and/or unemployed women have strengthened their knowledge on entrepreneurship, innovation, organic production, development of business from idea to business plan and increased their digital skills and skills for sewing, waiving, cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants etc. 252 women (including women from 11 rural women’s associations) received material support and equipment for establishment of their businesses and implementation of the business plans. As an additional result of the empowerment programme, 32 women were employed and 6 women received financial business support from LSG budgets for start-up or further development of their business. During the reporting period, numerous institutions at all government levels were strenghten to better reflect gender equality priorities in their activities and measures. To strengthen the position of women in various areas, the Serbian Government conducted various gender analysis (budget analysis, employment measures, energy, climate change, entrepreneurship, provincial Development Plan) and ensured gender mainstreaming within key planning documents and To facilitate this gender equality mechanisms engaged in widespread dialogue on key gender equality priorities with key stakeholders, including local communities, academia and women's CSOs. All line-ministries, provincial secretariats, oversight bodies and numerous other institutions at national and provincial level applied gender responsive budget (GRB) and integrated gender equality principles in Public Finance Management PFM, thus benefiting women and enabling implementation of initiatives targeting gender equality and improvement of position of women in various sectors, with focus on vulnerable groups. The Republic Secretariat for Public Policy adopted and implemented the Gender Equality Test for new legislation and contributed to increased understanding of gender gaps and challenges in various sectors so that all people, and particularly multi-discriminated groups of women, benefit equally from the newly adopted legislation. The Ministry of European Integration continued with gender mainstreaming of the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA) programming and implementation documents. Women living in eighteen local self-governments (LSGs) across Serbia benefitted from developed, financed and implemented initiatives that contributed to the improvement of their position and increased general understanding of gender equality and challenges that women face. Out of 18 LSGs, nine are better equipped to introduce GRB in their 2023 budgets with UN Women’s support. Performed 10 budget gender analysis pointed out to the key challenges and opportunities that women and girls face in relation to social and child protection, environmental protection, sports and youth, tourism, agriculture and local economic development and health protection, that were subsequently addressed through local budgets. Women across Serbia directly benefited from support through increasing their capacities and skills in different areas, direct support for the development of their businesses and implementing initiatives and campaigns aiming to enhance their position and quality of life. UN Women contributed to all these important processes through various capacity development activities, experts support and facilitating social dialogue. Based on the progress to date, the initial strategy and theory of change still apply because women and girls still cannot fully exercise their rights and equally contribute and benefit from development and enjoy life free from discrimination.

All people, especially the more vulnerable, benefit from the realization of human rights, gender equality, social cohesion and enhanced rule of law in line with international commitments (UNSDCF Outcome 3.1)

The outcome was not fully achieved; however, is on track, as women in Serbia benefitted from important progress that was made during the year, because institutions at all government levels are better reflecting gender equality priorities in their activities and measures. With the aim of improving the position of women in various areas, the Serbian Government facilitated dialogue with key stakeholders, local communities, academia and women's CSOs on key gender equality priorities, including gender-responsive language . The Serbian government also identified key gaps and challenges that women and girls face in access to finances through a budget gender analysis focused on entrepreneurship and support measures in agriculture. The Ministry of European Integration continued with gender mainstreaming of the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA) programming and implementation documents. All line-ministries, provincial secretariats, oversight bodies and numerous other institutions at national and provincial level applied and further improved GRB and integrated gender equality principles in Public Finance Management (PFM), thus benefiting women through initiatives targeting gender equality and improvement the of position of women in various sectors, with focus on vulnerable groups. Women living in eleven local self-governments (LSGs) across Serbia benefitted from initiatives that contributed to the improvement of their position and increased general understanding of gender equality and challenges that women face, through development of business ideas, product promotion, marketing, product placement, etc. UN Women contributed to all these important processes through various capacity development programmes, provision of experts’ support and facilitating social dialogue. More than 2,140 women across Serbia increased their awareness and skills in different areas that will contribute to the improvement of their position (inheritance rights, advocacy techniques including advocating for evidence-based policies at the local level, monitoring gender equality policies, collecting data, and patient’s rights, with an emphasis on induced abortion). The CSOs Coalition on Equal Inheritance formed and will continue to educate and legally support women. UN Women contributed to this through the established partnership with five women’s CSOs, organization of events and capacity development and direct support. Based on the progress to date, the initial strategy and theory of change still apply because women and girls still cannot fully exercise their rights and equally contribute and benefit from development and enjoy life free from discrimination.

All people, especially the more vulnerable, benefit from the realization of human rights, gender equality, social cohesion and enhanced rule of law in line with international commitments (UNSDCF Outcome 3.1)

While the outcome has not been fully achieved, it remains on track as women in Serbia have benefitted from gender-responsive initiatives. Institutions at all levels of government have increasingly reflected gender equality priorities in their activities, measures and budgets. However, progress was impacted by the gender backlash of 2024, which led to the Constitutional Court's decision to suspend the Gender Equality Law. Despite this setback, institutions across Serbia have continued to advance gender equality. All line ministries, provincial secretariats, oversight bodies, and numerous other institutions at the national and provincial levels applied GRB (130 institutions in total). These efforts have positively impacted various vulnerable groups of women, improving their position across multiple sectors. The Ministry of European Integration maintained its focus on gender mainstreaming in the programming and implementation of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). The Ministry of Mining and Energy initiated gender mainstreaming within policy and project management cycles for IPA III, preparing for its role as the Managing Authority for IPA III funds under the Operational Programme for Window 3. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Employment, Labour, Veteran, and Social Affairs conducted a gender analysis of funding targeting persons with disabilities, identifying key gaps and challenges faced by women with disabilities in accessing services. Women with disabilities will benefit from improved capacities to develop advocacy initiatives and budget watchdog reports. Additionally, the Commissioner for Protection of Equality is now better equipped to promote the right of women with disabilities to work through improved practices in reasonable accommodation and intersectional discrimination. Furthermore, over 250 women entrepreneurs from diverse regions of Serbia have enhanced their business practices through capacity-building programs and networking opportunities. UN Women has played a pivotal role in supporting these critical processes through targeted capacity development programs and expert assistance. Based on the progress made so far, the original strategy and theory of change remain valid. Women and girls in Serbia continue to face barriers to fully exercising their rights, equally contributing to and benefiting from development, and living free from discrimination.