Policy Pathways to Equality: Learning from EU’s Good Practices to Counter Discrimination of Older Women in Serbia

In Serbia, discrimination against older women manifests itself in various forms, stemming from the intersectionality of ageism and sexism. An alarming 68.3% of older women report experiences of age and gender-based discrimination. Meanwhile, in the EU, a Eurobarometer survey revealed that 37% of EU citizens believe age discrimination is widespread. This percentage is higher in certain countries like Sweden (65%), Denmark (52%), and Finland (47%).

Inequalities in Serbia and EU

Labour Market Discrimination
In Serbia, the labour force participation rate for older women is significantly lower compared to the EU average. Serbian older women’s employment rate stands at 7.2%, compared to the EU average of 13.7%. This discrepancy is a clear indicator of age and gender-based discrimination in the labour market.

Social Security: The Pension Gap
Older women in Serbia receive an average pension that is 17.2% lower than that of their male counterparts. In contrast, the gender pension gap in the EU is around 30%, with countries like Germany (46%) and the UK (40%) having particularly wide gaps.

Ageism
A survey by the Red Cross of Serbia revealed that 59% of older women feel they are not adequately represented in the media, contributing to the perpetuation of ageist and sexist stereotypes.

Living Conditions
Approximately 35% of older women in Serbia live in relative poverty, compared to an EU average of 18%. This stark difference highlights the need for focused policy attention on improving the living conditions of older women in Serbia.

Combating Discrimination: Best Practices from the EU

Discrimination against older women in Serbia persists in various forms, including labour market exclusion, lower pensions, and stereotypes. The living conditions for these women are often marked by poverty and lack of access to necessary resources. In comparison, EU countries, while not completely devoid of such challenges, have demonstrated success in mitigating age and gender-based discrimination through various strategies and policies. These practices from EU nations can serve as useful references for Serbia to uplift the socio-economic status of older women.

• 1. Legal Protection Against Discrimination – Sweden: The Swedish Discrimination Act has been very effective in creating an environment that promotes and protects equal rights. It is backed by substantial government funding and enforced by the Equality Ombudsman, an agency that investigates discrimination cases. A noticeable drop in reported discrimination cases over the years indicates the effectiveness of the law.
• 2. Life-Long Learning Programs – Germany: The Education and Training 2020 program has resulted in a higher participation rate of older adults in the workforce. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research invests over €26 billion annually in education and research, including lifelong learning programs. This funding has helped ensure the program’s reach and effectiveness.
• 3. Gender Pension Gap Reduction – Austria: Austria’s pension splitting system has been successful in reducing the gender pension gap, with the gap dropping to 30.4% in 2019 from 39.9% in 2007. The country invests heavily in its pension system, with expenditures reaching 13.9% of the GDP, above the EU average.
• 4. Gender Mainstreaming – Finland: The implementation of gender mainstreaming has led to more balanced policy outcomes in Finland. The government invests significant resources in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health to conduct gender impact assessments and guide the implementation of gender mainstreaming in all government departments.
• 5. Promotion of Active Ageing – Portugal: Portugal’s initiative has successfully engaged a significant proportion of the older population in active participation, contributing to improved mental and physical health outcomes. This program is backed by substantial government funding and support from municipalities across the country.
• 6. Campaigns Against Ageism and Sexism – UK: The campaigns launched by the Equality and Human Rights Commission have been successful in raising awareness and changing societal attitudes towards ageism and sexism. The UK government invests substantially in this area, allocating over £20 million annually to the Commission for its operations.
• 7. Ensuring Access to Quality Services – Denmark: Denmark’s integrated health and social care services have resulted in high satisfaction levels among older adults. Denmark spends approximately 8.9% of its GDP on healthcare, ensuring the provision of quality services to its older population.
• 8. Engagement of Civil Society – The Netherlands: The Dutch approach to engaging civil society organizations, like the Blijf Groep, has effectively addressed specific cases of discrimination. The Dutch government spends a considerable portion of its budget to support these NGOs, reinforcing their crucial role in promoting equality.

By examining the scope, investment, and effectiveness of these practices, it becomes clear that commitment and investment on multiple levels – from legal protections to social programs – are necessary to effectively address discrimination against older women.

Recommendations

Based on the comparative analysis, the following measures are proposed for Serbia to combat discrimination against older women:

1. Enhance Labour Market Participation: Serbia could adopt models similar to Germany’s lifelong learning programmes, focusing on upskilling and reskilling older women to enhance their employability.
2. Address the Pension Gap: Serbia should undertake pension reforms to address the gender pension gap. The Austrian model of pension splitting could be considered as a potential strategy.
3. Counter Ageism: Serbia should invest in nationwide campaigns to challenge and change ageist and sexist stereotypes. The UK’s approach, involving entities like the Equality and Human Rights Commission, could serve as a benchmark.
4. Improve Living Conditions: Adopting an integrated health and social care approach like Denmark could substantially improve the living conditions of older women in Serbia, particularly those in relative poverty.

By implementing these measures, Serbia can make significant strides towards creating an inclusive and equitable society where older women can live with dignity and respect, free from discrimination.