Combatting gender-based hate speech: Certificates for the first generation of trainers from the Human Resources Management Authority

April 15, 2024

The certificate award ceremony at the Human Recourses Management Authority

UNDP/Krsto Vulović

As part of the partnership and collaboration between the Human Resources Management Authority and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Montenegro, an innovative training program for trainers aimed at preventing sexist hate speech has been successfully completed.

This training program includes knowledge and competencies related to sexist hate speech - international, European, and national standards, norms, and trends in combating this phenomenon. The program is part of a broader gender equality training program and is licensed by the National Education Council. The authors and trainers of the program were Aneta Spaić and Marija Blagojević.

The significance of this initiative lies in the fact that trained trainers will pass on their knowledge through the largest professional platform in Montenegro, which encompasses 45,000 public servants at the local and national levels. Additionally, this exceptional network of experts is already using their newly acquired knowledge through daily activities in state administration, parliament, prosecution, media, civil, and business sectors.

The certificates were awarded to the trainers by the UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro, Ekaterina Paniklova, and the Director of the Human Resources Management Authority, Agron Camaj.

Out of the 16 participants in the training, 8 successfully completed the entire program and passed the final test organized by the Human Resources Management Authority. Certified trainers for implementing the program "Hate Speech - international, European, and national standards and practices" are: Vera Damjanović, Dragana Maljević, Ivana Raščanin Radičević, Jelena Radenović, Miodrag Strugar, Mira Radović, Svetlana Mandić, and Tamara Pešić.

The program was also attended by Aleksandra Sekulić Vojvodić, Almedina Vukić Martinović, Dina Knežević, Mirjana Ivanović, Mirko Mijanović, Nataša Vuković, Ranko Andrijašević, and Snežana Jonica.

The successful implementation of this program and the upcoming training of state officials on this topic represent an extremely important contribution to the fight against sexist hate speech, which is an increasingly prevalent manifestation of gender inequality and another way of marginalizing women from the public sphere.

Certified trainers Ivana Radičević Raščanin and Dragana Maljević emphasized the significance of their work, particularly at a time when gender-based hate speech is on the rise. Additionally, by consistently spreading their knowledge, they refuse to accept the increasing normalization and relativization of this phenomenon.

Institutional platforms and networks of professionals, such as this one, ensure the preservation of progress achieved and expedite the remaining tasks towards full gender equality, dignity, and progress for every citizen.

“Gender equality is at the heart of UNDP’s work in Montenegro, as part of the broader spectrum of human rights and an important development issue. Unfortunately, violence and discrimination against women evolve in new forms and happen in new arenas. Girls and women are facing sexism and gender-based hate speech at home, at school, at university, workplace. They are on the receiving end of sexist and denigrating speech in media and on social networks. As the challenge evolves fast, we have to be ready to act even faster. We are more than proud of the fact that today we have a cohort of certified trainers on gender-based hate speech, who will disseminate their knowledge through the one of the biggest professional networks in Montenegro, counting 45.000 public servants. Your mission is a pioneering one. In addition to certified trainers, we have knowledgeable and strong allies among you who attended specific segments of the programme and are committed to this important cause. All of you, all of us, with institutional support and genuine dedication of Human Resources Administration and UNDP are champions of change and empowered to address this important aspect in your everyday life and work across various policy domains, institutions, organisations and professional networks.”

Ekaterina Paniklova, UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro

“Misogyny and gender-based hate speech, as well as hate speech in general, directed towards any group, pose a serious threat to our society and our civilizational aspirations. Whether manifested through entrenched discrimination, violence, or other forms of abuse, such forms of intolerance harm not only women but the entire society, limiting its progress and prosperity. On one occasion, the renowned Ruth Bader Ginsburg posed the question – who will take responsibility for teaching the next generations? Allow me to transfer that responsibility to you, the selected trainers, through the issuance of these certificates, and to ask you to spread awareness among government officials about equality, equity, and the significance of every human being. Thank you for joining UNDP and the Human Resources Management Authority in this important mission, because we are all here not only to spread knowledge together but also to promote the civilizational social values inherent in the modern era.”

Agron Camaj, Director of the Human Resources Management Authority

This training is one of the activities of the project “Promotion of dialogue and joint actions to combat hate speech”. The project financed by UNDP Funding Window for Governance, Peacebuilding, Crisis and Resilience with contributions of Sweden and Luxembourg. Project partners include the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, the Institution of the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms, and the Ministry of Justice.

This activity is part of a long-standing partnership between the Human Resources Management authority and UNDP in promoting gender equality and gender-responsive communication in public administration and aligns with the broader goal – the integration of gender equality standards into institutional frameworks, as part of UNDP’s global Gender Equality Seal initiative.

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