President Milanović’s Greetings to Women of Croatia on International Women’s Day

I congratulate International Women’s Day to all the women residing in the Republic of Croatia. Although women today participate in all areas of public, economic and political life, International Women’s Day is a good occasion to remember that it was not always so and that the equality achieved should be preserved and protected. In Croatian society, there are still advocates of backward and unacceptable attitudes that challenge women’s rights that were achieved long ago. The State cannot stand aside, but must be the guardian of guaranteed human and civil rights in Croatia, which unequivocally include women’s rights. It is also the duty of State institutions to offer solutions for eliminating stereotypes and prejudices to the detriment of women, because only an active role of the State can break down barriers that hinder the establishment of full equality between women and men, especially where capital and earnings have the decisive say and power. As State President, I thank everyone who is committed to achieving this goal, because achieving full equality for women is actually a contribution to the civilized, orderly and progressive society that Croatia can and must be. Happy Women’s Day!