85 Percent of Citizens Aware of Discrimination of Women in Croatia

HINA/GONG

21 November 2007

Almost 85 percent of the citizens polled for the survey Unknown EU Uncovered � Guide to the Labyrinth of Key Regulations the Influence Gender Discrimination in Our Lives is aware of discrimination of women in contemporary Croatian society, representatives of B.a.B.e. Women Human Rights Group said in Sibenik, last Monday, November 20, at the presentaiton of the survey, organized together with the Government�s Office of Gender Equality.

This is the most complete scientific survey of Croatian citizens� attitudes on EU membership, through the topics of Croatian gender equality policies in relation to EU; protection of human rights in Croatia; and, why does citizen participation matter.

The survey was conducted in cooperation with the Zagreb Faculty of Philosophy, on a representative sample of 1005 citizens, and showed that 43 percent of the citizens support Croatia�s entry into EU, with 30 percent undecided, emphasized Suzana Kunac from B.a.B.e.

Among those suspicious about EU membership, or outright opposed to it, the majority are young people, double the figures among middle-aged and senior citizens. The percentage, moreover, is the highest in Croatia among all transition countries. B.a.B.e. say that the main reason is the lack of proper information about EU institutions and functioning, as well as the negotiation process for Croatian entry into EU.

As noted, almost 85 percent of the polled recognize their is discrimination of women in Croatian society. The majority of citizens, four out of five polled, supports equal employment opportunities and rights, with similar numbers supporting equal pay for same jobs, added Kunac and noted that at this moment, differences in salaries can exceed 20 percent in individual cases.

Helena Stimac Radin noted that Croatia got its National Strategy for Promotion of Gender Equality last year, followed with creation of gender equality commissions in almost all municipalities and counties in Croatia. However, women representation in politics remains low, at 22 percent in the two previous Sabors.

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