In Montenegro, online violence against women engaged in public work is a growing problem, which requires a systemic response, as well as the strengthening of institutional protection so that they are empowered to react if they become victims.
This is what women from public life who were exposed to hate speech said in the video campaign of the Center for Monitoring and Research (CeMI).
MP Aleksandra Vuković Kuč said that online violence and hate speech have become an indispensable part of the lives of women engaged in public work, PR Center reports.
"But we will never accept it as normal! Criticism of political views is legitimate, but hatred is not and cannot be. My freedom and security depend on the freedom of every woman in the world. While one lives in fear, my happiness is apparent. Let's not be afraid. We are fighting," said Vuković Kuč.
Milijana Vukotić Jelušić, an official of the Civil Movement URA, said that she faced misinformation and condemnations, which were spread by users of social networks in order to discredit her work.
"I was denounced for being someone's daughter, sister or daughter-in-law, for being too young for office, for representing a certain political entity. All that, transferred from the system to social networks, easily acquires the dimension of lynching, and the truth remains silent. Together we can change this reality", said Vukotić Jelušić.
Former Minister of Public Administration, Digital Society and Media Tamara Srzentić pointed out that solidarity and courage must become women's weapons against violence and injustice.
"We must not allow silence to discourage us or prejudice to keep us in less important roles. Only together can we break down the walls of violence and create a political space where every woman will be valued, supported and respected. Because when women stand together, the world changes," said Srzentić.
The program director of the Center for Monitoring and Research (CeMI) Teodora Gilić emphasized that we need to nurture a political culture in which every woman has the right to her voice and her opinion.
"We are working together to create a safer online environment for women in politics," said Gilić.
The video was created within the project "Contribution to the increase of female political activism in Montenegro", which was financially supported by the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, and which is implemented by CeMI.
Bonus video:
