Westminster Foundation for Democracy is dedicated to promoting gender equality and strengthening women's role in the political landscape. As part of our efforts to address the critical issues faced by women in politics in Montenegro, WFD is working closely with the Women MP's Club in the Parliament of Montenegro and with political parties to develop practical mechanisms to address violence against women in politics (VAWP).

This initiative has led to the creation of an informal network that brings together key stakeholders, including members of the Women MP's Club and representatives from women's organisations within political parties. The goal is to better understand the causes and impact of violence against women in politics (VAWP) and to develop practical solutions to address this issue. 

The network will focus on creating a safe, inclusive environment for women in politics, helping them to fully participate in public space and encouraging more young women to get involved in Montenegrin politics.

In a recent workshop, WFD Montenegro brought together women leaders and stakeholders to discuss the root causes and manifestations of VAWP in Montenegrin politics.

Ana Milutinovich, WFD Montenegro Country Director, highlighted that one of the organisation's previous initiatives focused on analysing and addressing the issue of VAWP. She also emphasised WFD Montenegro's ongoing commitment to supporting the Women MP's Club and political parties in tackling this issue and developing the necessary mechanisms to combat it effectively.

During the two-day workshop, Cecilia Makonyola, Head of Practice (Inclusion) at WFD, and Magdalena Randall-Schab, Practice Lead for Women, Peace and Security at WFD, led sessions that provided valuable insights on addressing VAWP. Through engaging presentations, participants were encouraged to identify areas for improvement and suggest practical changes that could be implemented in the operations of Parliament and political parties.

Creating practical mechanisms to protect women is crucial for ensuring they feel safe and encouraged to engage in public life. This is also vital for increasing the involvement of young women, whose contributions are key to the progress of Montenegrin politics.