SEESAC at the workshop “The Role of Forensics in the Advancement of Gender Equality “

SEESAC Project Officer Ms. Danijela Djurovic participated in the workshop “The Role of Forensics in the Advancement of Gender Equality “, on 11 March 2015, organized by the National Forensic Center of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia for representatives of local institutions in the towns of Pančevo and Vršac.

Gathering (30) representatives of the National Forensic Centre, Public Prosecutor Office, Police Directorate, Police Station, Court, and the Center for Social Work, the aim of the workshop was to increase the capacity of local institutions to respond to and better process gender-based violence cases. Participants shared their experiences in providing services to women and children victims of domestic violence, and SEESAC delivered the introductory session on gender equality.  

Head of the National Forensic Center, Mr. Lazar Nešić, and Gender Advisor in the Ministry of Interior, Ms. Tatjana Vasić, opened the workshop. Mr. Nešić informed participants that the National Forensic Centre will continue to organize seminars and workshops throughout Serbia in order to raise gender awareness and increase capacities of relevant actors at the local level – including police, judges, prosecutors, health centers, and social workers – to effectively provide services to victims of violence. Violence against women is the most prevalent form of human rights violation, Ms. Vasić emphasized, adding that in order to provide efficient protection to the citizens, security institutions must recognize that women and men have different security needs.

The aim of the SEESAC session was twofold: to explain what gender equality is, and why it is important for security sector institutions. Introducing the basic concept of gender equality, SEESAC presented statistical data illustrating the current position of women in Serbia. To provide a better understanding of the evolution of women human rights, the presentation included an overview of the international legal framework related to achieving gender equality, with a focus on violence against women (UN Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women – CEDAW; the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence) and the Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. SEESAC representative concluded the session by presenting data on the different security perceptions of women and men in Serbia, as well as on reported cases of sexual and gender-based violence in Serbia.

The workshop was organized in cooperation with the Swedish National Police Board (SNPB). SNPB officials shared their experiences in handling cases of domestic and intimate partner violence against women and devoted a special session to demonstrating the newest methods and tools used in the process of investigating crime scenes related to rape.