SURVEY ON GENDER JUSTICE ELEMENTS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES IN

April 2021

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During January and February 2021, Philanthropy conducted assessment on gender justice elements in rural communities in Serbia. The survey was conducted in 11 villages on the administrative territory of the city of . The survey included both women and men in villages , Beranovac, , Jovac, , Oplanice, Ratna, , Ušće, and Zica.

Survey pool was presented by 73.33% women and 26.67% men, while the age structure was:

30.00% 26.67%

25.00% 20.00% 20.00% 16.67%

15.00% female 10.00% 10.00% 10.00% male 6.67% 6.67% 3.33% 5.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 18-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80+ Age

Out of total number of surveyed respondents, PwD were represented in the following share:

100.00% 95.45% 87.50% 90.00% 80.00% 70.00% 60.00% No 50.00% Yes 40.00% 30.00% 12.50% 20.00% 4.55% 10.00% 0.00% female male

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In Its first block, the survey examines availability of rights and attitudes related to economic and social equality. The results showed that ¾ of the female respondents didn’t fell economically strong enough, while this percentage among the male respondents was 50%. Given this high share of economically insufficiently sustainable women and men, in addition, 9% of female respondents do not have access to household income at all. Regarding the expression and meeting the needs of women and men in their households, 100% of male respondents claim they can express their needs and participate in decision- making that meets those needs, while this share among this share is 91%. However, the situation is significantly different in the workplace, where as many as 68% of this share believe they cannot express their needs or participate in decision-making that meets those needs, while the share of male respondents with the same opinion is five times lower. In terms of personal influence on meeting the needs of the local community, both men and women find it rather limited, with a somewhat higher participation of women who feel they cannot influence decisions concerning their needs. On the other hand, only 45% of female respondents believe that there is a balance and influence of both sexes in the decision-making process in the community, while 75% of male respondents have the same attitude. Finally, 68% of female respondents and 87.5% of male respondents felt that their communities were equally supportive of women and men, girls and boys. Interestingly, as many as 100% of female respondents said they felt they were exercising their right to vote and felt they had the opportunity to express themselves freely in that domain, while 87.5% of male respondents had the same view. All respondents stated that they make decisions in their household, while 64% of them make decisions in their community.

More detailed results are presented in bellow charts:

77% 80%

70%

60% 50% 50% 50%

40% female 23% 30% male 20%

10% 0% I agree I disagree I have sufficient income, access to land or credit

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100% 100% 90% 77% 80% 70% 60% 50% female 40% male 30% 20% 14% 9% 10% 0% 0% 0% I agree I completely agree I disagree I control and benefit from these resources

77% 80% 75% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 25% female 20% 14% 9% male 10% 0% 0% I agree I completely I disagree agree I have a power and voice to articulate my concerns, needs and rights in an informed way, and to take part in decision-making affecting these concerns in my house

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87.5% 90.0% 80.0% 68.2% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 27.3% 30.0% female 20.0% 12.5% 4.5% male 10.0% 0.0% 0.0% I agree I completely I disagree agree I have a power and voice to articulate my concerns, needs and rights in an informed way, and to take part in decision-making affecting these concerns at my work

60.0% 54.5% 50.0% 50.0% 45.5% 37.5% 40.0%

30.0%

20.0% 12.5% female 10.0% male 0.0% 0.0% I agree I completely I disagree disagree I have a power and voice to articulate my concerns, needs and rights in an informed way, and to take part in decision-making affecting these concerns in my community

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80% 75%

70% 60% 55% 50% 45% 40% 25% female 30% male 20% 10% 0% I agree I disagree I see gender balance and influence in decision making structures in my community

87.5% 90.0% 80.0% 68.2% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 31.8% 40.0% female 30.0% 12.5% male 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% I agree I disagree I believe gender just relations exist in my community and contribute to improved living conditions for men, women, boys and girls

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90.0% 81.8% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 50.0% 37.5% 40.0% female 30.0% 18.2% male 20.0% 12.5% 10.0% 0.0% 0.0% I agree I completely agree I disagree I have the opportunity to express myself freely and exercise the right to vote

100.0% 95.5% 87.5% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% female 40.0% male 30.0% 20.0% 12.5% 10.0% 4.5% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% I agree I completely agree I disagree I have control of the agenda for decision making in my household

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80% 75%

70% 64% 60%

50%

40% 36% female 30% 25% male 20%

10% 0% I agree I disagree I have control of the agenda for decision making in my community

The survey’s second segment analysed the access to services. As many as 36% of female respondents do not have or did not have the opportunity to get educated, 50% of female respondents do not have or did not have the opportunity to get a job, 23% of female respondents do not have access to health care, while 73% of female respondents do not have access to social welfare protection. These parameters show significantly better results within the pool of male respondents.

87.5% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 63.6% 60.0%

50.0% 36.4% 40.0% female 30.0% male 12.5% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% I agree I disagree I have (had) opportunity and choices to get an education

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87.5% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 50.0% 50.0% 40.0% female 30.0% male 12.5% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% I agree I disagree I have (had) opportunity and choices to productive employment

100.0% 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 72.7% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% female 40.0% male 30.0% 22.7% 20.0% 10.0% 4.5% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% I agree I completely agree I disagree I have access to health services

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80% 75% 73% 70%

60%

50%

40% 27% 25% female 30% male 20%

10% 0% I agree I disagree I have access to social welfare services

The next block of survey questioned the issues of safety and violence. Feelings of insecurity and experience of violence in their own household were reported by 5% of female respondents. Male respondents have not reported such occurrences. The same result was obtained by examining the feeling of insecurity and the experience of violence at work and on the street.

100% 100% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% female 40% male 30% 20% 5% 0% 10% 0% I agree I disagree I live in insecurity or suffer from violence in my household

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100% 100% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% female 40% male 30% 20% 5% 0% 10% 0% I agree I disagree I live in insecurity or suffer from violence at work

100% 100% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% female 40% male 30% 20% 10% 5% 0% 0% I agree I disagree I live in insecurity or suffer from violence on the street

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The next survey chapter referred to the roles of women and men, as well as family relations. All 100% of male respondents believe that the main obligation of women is to take care of the family, while 81.8% of female respondents agree with this statement. 100% of male respondents also believe that the main obligation of men is to provide for family, and 95.5% of female respondents agree with this statement. The issue of privacy of marriage is understood differently, so 36% of female respondents and 12.5% of male respondents do not think that all marital situations should be resolved exclusively in privacy. The traditionally accepted opinion that women are good in jobs related to care and support, and men in jobs that require strength and technical skills are acceptable by 73% of female respondents and 87% of male respondents. The belief that women are more sensitive and prepared to take care of others is confirmed by 73% of female respondents and 88% of male respondents. On the other hand, another traditional belief that men are more rational and prepared to run businesses is supported by 37% of female respondents and 50% of male respondents. 64% of female respondents and 88% of male respondents believe that gender-based violence is not only perpetrated on women, but on men as well.

70.0% 62.5% 60.0% 50.0% 50.0% 37.5% 40.0% 31.8% female 30.0% 18.2% male 20.0%

10.0% 0.0% 0.0% I agree I completely agree I disagree A woman’s first responsibility is caring for the family

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70.0% 62.5% 59.1% 60.0%

50.0% 36.4% 37.5% 40.0% female 30.0% male 20.0%

10.0% 4.5% 0.0% 0.0% I agree I completely agree I disagree A man’s first responsibility is providing for the family

87.5% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 63.6% 60.0%

50.0% 36.4% 40.0% female 30.0% 12.5% male 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% I agree I disagree Whatever happens within a marriage is private and should be handled privately

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80.0% 75.0% 68.2% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 27.3% female 30.0% male 20.0% 12.5% 12.5% 10.0% 4.5% 0.0% I agree I completely agree I disagree Women are better at jobs that focus on caring and support, and men are better at jobs that require strength and technical skills

87.5% 90.0% 80.0% 72.7% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0%

40.0% 27.3% female 30.0% 12.5% male 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% I agree I completely agree Women are more sensitive and therefore better prepared to care after others

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70.0% 63.6% 60.0% 50.0% 50.0% 50.0%

40.0% 31.8% 30.0% female 20.0% male 10.0% 4.5% 0.0% 0.0% I agree I completely I disagree disagree Men are more rational, and therefore better prepared to manage and lead organisations

87.5% 90.0% 80.0%

70.0% 63.6% 60.0%

50.0% 36.4% 40.0% female 30.0% male 12.5% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% I agree I disagree Gender based violence is also committed against men

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Finally, the survey analysed the attitudes of the respondents towards four rather typical gender-based statements. The results are:

1. Men are stronger, women are weaker

68.2% 70.0% 62.5% 60.0%

50.0%

40.0% 27.3% 30.0% 25.0% female

20.0% male 12.5% 10.0% 4.5%

0.0% I agree I completely I disagree disagree Men are stronger than women, women are weaker

2. Household scores are women’s work

90% 86% 80% 75% 70% 60% 50% 40% female 30% male

20% 13% 14% 13% 10% 0% 0% I agree I completely agree I disagree

Household chores are women’s work

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3. Nowadays women and men have the same rights and the same opportunities, if women do not achieve certain positions it is because they do not want to

80% 75% 70% 64% 60% 50% 40% 36% 30% 25% female 20% male 10% 0% I agree I disagree Nowadays women and men have the same rights and the same opportunities, if women do not achieve certain positions it is because they do not want to

4. Gender justice is fine, as long as it does not challenge the traditions and customs of our community

68.2% 70.0%

60.0% 50.0% 50.0% 37.5% 40.0% 31.8% 30.0% female

20.0% male 12.5% 10.0% 0.0% 0.0% I agree I completely agree I disagree Gender justice is fine, as long as it does not challenge the traditions and customs of our community

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Conclusions:

- Although Serbia has regulated legislation aimed at preventing gender inequality and strengthening equality, in practice there are still strong traditional gender relations that treat the roles of women and men with a visible degree of inequality. - Further education on gender equality and its promotion is needed. - Women's social inactivity is partly conditioned by traditional gender roles, among other things, by doing household chores for which women are not adequately appreciated, including caring for children, the sick and the elderly. - The absence of a social perspective of women is noticeable, especially in the field of professional life, as well as the impossibility of influencing the decisions that govern one's own life. - The level of social and economic power, but also the geographical distance of rural women, affect their access to resources and services, including social welfare and health care. - Economic inequality and unequal opportunities for women and men can be detected, especially in the field of education and employment. - The roles of women and men in the family and society are stereotypically determined, and prejudices are visible. - It is needed to empower women in the field of making personal decisions and determining gender roles. - It is necessary to further investigate the data on violence, which, having in mind the official statistics, may be different, but these are particularly sensitive issues, especially in small communities. - Respondents’ attitudes significantly support traditional norms and attitudes. - Families are in most cases based and function on the traditional principle of behaviour.

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