v TransVet Leonardo de Vinci Project- Bergen Norway, February EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL

Gender issues Gender equality is one of the fundamental values of the constitutional order of the Republic of Croatia. In 2003, upon the proposal of the Croatian Government, the first Gender Equality Ombudsperson was appointed by the Croatian Parliament in accordance to the Gender Equality Act adopted in 2003 for the first time (Official Gazette 116/03). In 2008, Croatian Parliament adopted a new Gender Equality Act (Official Gazette 82/08) according to which the Gender Equality Ombudsperson performs the tasks of an independent body in charge of combating discrimination in the field of gender equality. 2

Labour issues Still most of irregularities were related to: 58,5% of cases in 2012 were related to labour, social security, health and pension issues. 62,5% of all the cases were filed by women When a crises breaks out more vulnerable groups are more endangered. Issues: low working activity rate of women (39.1%). Croatia has one of the lowest employment rates in Europe and this is particularly devastating for women. Since women are better educated (50,5% of all persons completed secondary education, 54,7% of all persons who completed professional studies and 60,2% of those who completed university level studies.)- WOMEN MUST INVEST MORE EFFORT TO INCREASE THEIR MARKETING CAPACITY AND REMAIN COMPETITIVE TO MEN. In the labur market there is still obvious gender-biased segregation.

Women and work So called „glass ceiling” still exists on the Croatian Labour Market and that it hinders professional advancement of women to the most influential positions. Gender- based segregation in the labour market continues to be closely related to the pay gap between man and women. ( women get 89,8% of the amount earned by men). Women work more in the sectors with lower wages ( Textile, retail sector). Women face various problems, among others: Discrimination in employment and work Harassment and sexual harassment in workplace. Victims of harassment do not easily decide to seek any form of judicial protection. They are primary caretakers: Parental leave: 96.83% of users are women and 2.63% of users are men. They take care of sick memebers of their familites as well. Women with small children and pregnant women get discriminated. Women get lower pensions- as the result of lower salaries. 4

Equal right to work PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES - UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilites ( 2007) Croatia was the fifht country to sign it There are 280 regulations in Croatia regulating the rights of persons with disabilities. GOOD PRACTICE EXAMPLES Association for promotion of equal opportunites Good manners for and better understanding of persons with disabilities- awarness raising collaboration companies: Ericsson i printing house Kershofset ( Corporate social responsiblity- very important for the society as a whole) “I choose not to place "DIS", in my ability.” Croatian Association of the Blind 5

Croatian Employers’ Association - PROMOTES EQUAL RIGHTS Participates in EU Project :Dismantling the Glass Labyrinth – Equal Opportunity Access to Economic Decision- making in Croatia Progress- the best project proposal in Europe Companies with equal distribution of duties gender- wise are MORE SUSTAINABLE 9% of CEOs are women, 38% are vice-presidents in companies TV clip, the Croatian Parliament agreed to broadcast it for free on the national TV 6

Other best practice examples: URIHO- company employing people with disabilites for 65 years Turism without obstacles: 7

Presentation in the CRO Parliament PROGRESS project”Dismantling the Crystal labyrinth ” where the CEA takes part 8

9 Thank you for your attention!