Stereotypes against women still prevail in Western Balkans, Turkey: study

BELGRADE, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Although awareness of gender equality in the Western Balkans and Turkey is increasing, old stereotypes still prevail, resulting in frequent situations of violence towards women in these countries, according to a research study released here on Tuesday.

The research on gender stereotypes and positive practices in countering violence towards women was conducted during a three-year project by the United Nations (UN) Women organization in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and Montenegro.

According to Jelena Milovanovic, deputy chief of UN Women office in Serbia, the aim of the project is to reduce violence towards women and girls in cooperation with non-governmental organizations by influencing changes in legislation and pushing for these changes to be implemented.

Specifically, the program aims to promote the implementation of the Istanbul convention from 2011 and UN conclusions from 2013 and to influence national legislation at national levels to harmonize with the EU agenda on gender equality.

"Results of the research show that it is necessary to improve the position of women, especially victims of violence, and we need to acknowledge their special position in society," Milovanovic said.

Research consultant Monika Kocaqi said the research showed that people in urban areas of the Western Balkans and Turkey were much more informed about the legal framework concerning gender equality issues than those living in rural areas.

But that both men and women overall need to be more informed about specific issues when it comes to the role of the women in a family, her employment, freedom of movement, and other topics, Kocaqi said.

According to Kocaqi, many gender stereotypes are still present among a significant part of the population, such as notions that "violence is a part of the nature of men", "women provoke violence over them" or "violence is a way of showing affection".

Some of these messages are further supported by the exploitation of women in media, which strengthens these views among the population as a result.

Kocaqi said societies are still divided over gender stereotypes, and small groups of people still think that "a women who works will neglect her house duties", or "women should endure violence to save her family", or "there are women that like to be beaten", as well as the idea that "women that do not finish domestic chores properly should be beaten".

Participants at the conference agreed that women's economic independence is crucial for them to break out of abusive situations. Enditem