A Catalogue of gender-disaggregated data, developed with the support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and presented to the representatives of Montenegrin ministries on 7 April, aims to strengthen evidence-based, gender-responsive policymaking in Montenegro by improving access to data collected by nine national institutions.
Systematizing key indicators that are relevant for monitoring gender equality in different sectors, the Catalogue aims to facilitate the work of those institutions which generate, manage and analyse the data important for the development of gender-sensitive public policies. Developed by the Mission-engaged experts Prof. Olivera Komar and Dr. Slaven Živković, the document will provide easier access to public information, improve the quality of analysis and public policies, and contribute to equal opportunities for women and men. The Catalogue will be available on the government's General Secretariat website.
During the presentation of the Catalogue, acting Deputy Secretary General of the Government of Montenegro, Almedina Vukić, stated that integrating a gender perspective into public policies requires the use of gender-disaggregated data. "This is precisely why it was important to create a Catalogue that provides an overview of available data that can be used in the creation of public policies. The improvement of data-based policy planning systems is one of the key responsibilities of the government's General Secretariat, and this Catalogue makes it possible," said Vukić.
Head of the Department for Gender Equality in the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, Biljana Pejović, said, "Gender-disaggregated data are not just statistics - they are a tool that allows us to see the real differences in the position of women and men, to identify inequalities and to create measures that produce concrete results."
Since 2023, the Mission has supported the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and the General Secretariat of the Government of Montenegro in improving the methodological framework for the development and monitoring of public policies through the integration of a gender perspective. This Catalogue represents a step towards sustainable data use and strengthened institutional co-operation.
Separately, in addition to supporting empowerment of state institutions at national level to collect, use, and share gender-disaggregated data, the Mission has supported the Municipality of Bijelo Polje in upgrading the municipal software to include gender-disaggregated data. The Municipality's e-registry software, a key system for keeping administrative records in the local government, now enables the recording of gender when entering data, which further enables systematic collection of gender-disaggregated data. The improved software will contribute to more efficient management of administrative processes, as well as the creation of policies based on reliable data, provided that such data are effectively used for the promotion of equality and better understanding of the needs of citizens.
The Mission remains committed to supporting national and local institutions in Montenegro in strengthening capacities for inclusive and gender-responsive governance.
