Women as drivers of rural economy

The position of women in the countryside has not improved proportionately with other things that have improved in society, but with abandonment and insufficient investment in rural areas, it has become more complex and difficult. Systemic solutions to their empowerment and the response of the state and the European Union are necessary to give women stability, incentives and a sense of security, the conference "Women as holders of the rural economy" concluded.

Deputy Prime Minister and President of the Gender Equality Coordination Body, Zorana Mihajlovic noted that it is necessary to adopt an action plan for women's empowerment, so that all line bodies and organizations working on it are faster and more efficient. - There are many women who need hope, support to embark on a journey of independence and getting to work. Currently, 92% of women in rural areas do not have a single metre of land in their possession. Our task is to support them and to be more efficient and faster in its provision, Mihajlovic said.

Through the project "Women as Drivers of the Rural Economy", implemented by Ethno Network, with financial support from UN Women, concrete measures have been implemented in support of artisans in Bela Palanka, Pirot, Knjazevac, Sremska Mitrovica, Indjija, Odzaci and Sombor, with the aim of replicating measures in other communities. -We worked on education, opening workshops and creating other working conditions, organizing training programs and weaving colonies. We connected creativity and economics, tradition and the preservation of life in the countryside. Statistics show that the position of women is more disadvantageous in all areas, which is why we must continue with direct support measures – noted the director of the UN Women's Office in Serbia, Milana Rikanovic.

Ethno Network President Violeta Jovanovic concluded that measures highlighted as examples of best practice should be applied in other areas, but also to become permanent support programs through gender budgeting and implementation of the Law on Social Entrepreneurship. Canada is one of the leaders in the field of gender equality and social economics, and His Excellency Giles Norman stressed the need to create concrete opportunities for the employment of women in the old crafts, and to invest in educating students and teachers, for the sake of preserving tradition.

EXAMPLES OF BEST PRACTICES

City of Sombor – announced the first competition on the allocation of funds for the preservation of cultural heritage and development of the modern way of interpreting local customs and traditions

City of Pirot – anticipated funds in the budget 2023 to support employment of weavers making pirot kilims and organized the first kilim festival

City of Sremska Mitrovica – included handicrafts in the offer of a newly opened tourist center

Municipality of Indjija – launched a colony of gold thread embroidery and included local association and textile school in creative workshops for children and youth and making clothes for Celtic village

Municipality of Knjazevac – provided sales space in the pedestrian zone for association Ethno center

Municipality of Bela Palanka – launched a project for equipping the alley of old crafts and completed phase one.