Women Must Be at the Centre of Reforms and the Future of the Western Balkans

Gender equality must be an integral part of economic reforms, labour markets, and the European integration process, as without the full participation of women, there can be no sustainable development, more competitive economies, or a fairer society. This was emphasised at the opening of the regional dialogue “Women Lead: Economy, Alliances and the Future of Integration”, held in Budva.

The two-day event is jointly organised by the Ministry of European Affairs of Montenegro and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with financial support from the European Union. The dialogue has brought together representatives of governments, international organisations, the business and academic communities, and civil society from across the region and Europe.

Data presented at the event show that women make up nearly two-thirds of the inactive and unemployed working-age population in the region, while one in three businesses led by women identifies limited access to finance as a key barrier.

Opening the dialogue, the Minister of European Affairs, Maida Gorčević, stated that the goal is not only formal alignment with European standards in the field of gender equality, but also for Montenegro to become a regional leader in how these standards are implemented:

“Women in Montenegro and the region are already demonstrating leadership in institutions, the economy, and society. It is our responsibility to ensure that the system finally realises that potential. If we want to accelerate the path to the EU, we must also be ready to accelerate changes in power relations within our society,” said Gorčević.

The UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro, Ekaterina Paniklova, emphasised that joint efforts are focused on removing barriers that limit women’s participation in the economy:

“Our shared focus is on practical solutions—improving access to finance, strengthening childcare services, and creating opportunities in the digital and green sectors. Women still account for nearly two-thirds of the inactive and unemployed working-age population, and increasing their participation represents a direct way to strengthen the economy and deliver tangible results for citizens and businesses,” Paniklova noted.

The Deputy Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Montenegro, Liselotte Isaksson, assessed that the European Union continues to strengthen its response to challenges in the field of gender equality through its policies:

“The new EU Gender Equality Strategy is a response to growing global resistance to this issue and confirms that the European Union is not retreating, but rather intensifying its efforts to promote women’s rights and gender equality,” said Isaksson.

Bojana Ćupić, Vlada Crne Gore

During the opening panel dedicated to economic growth and reforms, it was highlighted that political leadership bears key responsibility for ensuring equal participation of women as decision-makers and economic actors, in line with reforms within the EU accession process and the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

On that occasion, the State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia, Neva Grašič, stated:

“Slovenia has demonstrated that even a small country can have a strong impact when it consistently builds women’s leadership, alliances, and joint platforms, and actively engages in promoting the values and policies of gender equality at the European and global levels.”

The Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Montenegro, Branimir Jukić, said:

“Greater participation of women has been one of the key drivers of social progress and development. Further economic growth and overall progress depend on the full inclusion of the other half of society in development processes.”

During the panel on the economy, competitiveness, and the labour market, it was emphasised that gender equality is not only a matter of human rights but also of economic development.

The Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Naida Nišić, stated:

“The new Labour Law and the reform processes we are implementing are aimed at creating a labour market that promotes women’s economic independence, equal opportunities for advancement, and decent work. Our priority is for gender equality standards to become the rule, not the exception, in the Montenegrin economy.”

Danijela Gačević, Head of the Programme Department at the Regional Cooperation Council, highlighted that unlocking the potential of women’s entrepreneurship is not only a matter of equality, but also of economic logic:

“If strategically developed at the regional level, women’s entrepreneurship can become a powerful driver of growth, resilience, and regional connectivity.”

Panel participants also pointed out that women continue to bear a disproportionate burden of unpaid domestic work, which affects their economic activity, career advancement, and access to leadership positions.

At the panel on system reform and equal opportunities, it was concluded that education, employment, and skills development policies must respond to the needs of the modern labour market and enable women to have equal access to new economic opportunities, particularly in digitalisation, innovation, and the green transition.

Only 31% of citizens in the region state that they would encourage a female family member to pursue STEM fields, while one in three respondents believes that women in these fields progress more slowly and earn lower incomes.

The Minister for Human and Minority Rights, Fatmir Gjeka, stated that without strong institutional mechanisms, there can be no lasting change:

“If we want gender equality to become a reality in the labour market, new legislation, gender mainstreaming of laws, and stronger mechanisms are the foundation of that change,” Gjeka said.

At the closing panel of the first day, dedicated to women’s entrepreneurship, participants discussed the challenges and opportunities for developing women-led businesses, including access to finance, markets, and innovation ecosystems.

The regional dialogue continues tomorrow with discussions on institutional accountability, regional alliances, and intergenerational leadership, conveying the message that sustainable change requires joint action by institutions, the economy, and society as a whole.

The dialogue is organised as part of the regional programme “EU4GenderEquality”, funded by the European Commission and jointly implemented by UNDP and UN Women.