number of ministerial positions in Serbia has increased from 19 in 2002 to 24 in 2008, the number of womenministers never exceeded four. An even greater gender disparity is observed in municipal governments as women make up less than 4% of all mayors<sup>10</sup> .

The situation in the National Assembly (Parliament) of Serbia is somewhat better: the number of women increased from 12.4% in 2002 to 20.4% in 2008.<sup>11</sup> Following the parliamentary elections of 2008, the National Assembly has been presided by a female speaker Slavica Đukić Dejanović, the second woman to assume this position after Nataša Mićić.

Underrepresentation of women in decision making institutions is likely a reflection of historical stereotypes about the division of power in society. While this problem is faced by most states of the world, there are positive examples in many European countries. For instance, women comprise at least 40% in the cabinet in Finland, Spain, Iceland, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Liechtenstein and Norway and of the parliaments in Sweden, Iceland, Belgium, Netherlands and Finland<sup>12</sup> . The measures introduced by these countries may be used to inform public awareness campaigns and legislative reforms in Serbia.

**Figure 7. Ministers of the Government of Serbia,** **<u>structure and  number by gender (2002-2008)</u>**

<!-- Start of picture text --> 100<br>80<br>60 15 15 15 19 20<br>40<br>20<br>0 4 2 1 4 4<br>2002 2004 2006 2007 2008<br>Women Men<br>%<br><!-- End of picture text --> Source: Statistical Office of Serbia, 2008

**Figure 8. Members of Parliament of Serbia, -** **<u>structure and number by gender (2002 2008)</u>**

<!-- Start of picture text --> 100<br>80<br>60 219 223 199 199<br>40<br>20<br>0 31 27 51 51<br>2002 2004 2007 2008<br>Women Men<br>%<br><!-- End of picture text --> Source: Statistical Office of Serbia, 2008

# **PART III. EARNINGS OF MEN AND WOMEN**

In 2009, women’s monthly wages in Serbia were on average 4.6% lower than men’s. This wage gap, difference between average men’s and women’s net monthly wages as a percentage of men’s average net monthly wages was twice higher in 2008, i.e. before the global financial crisis. This is likely because the crisis has affected male-dominated sectors (e.g. construction) more than female-dominated sectors (e.g. health and education). Although the wage gap in both years was lower than the average in the EU countries<sup>13</sup> , it is not indicative of smaller gender disparities in the labor market. The relatively small difference in men’s and women’s average earnings in Serbia is a reflection of the low female labor force participation and the small share of low-skilled women in the labor force. As mentioned in part one, women with low education levels are almost twice less likely to be employed than men while the employment rates of women with university degrees are higher than for similarly educated men. Overall, 60% of employed women vs. 47% of employed men have upper secondary or tertiary education.

> 10 UNIFEM http://www.unifem.sk/index.cfm?module=project&page=country&CountryISO=RS, accessed on August 10, 2010

> 11 Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia. 2008. _Women and Men in Serbia_ , Belgrade

> 12 European Commission. 2010. _More women in senior positions - Key to economic stability and growth_ , Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union

> 13 The wage gap for EU countries, calculated based on hourly wages, is 17.6% as of 2007. (EU Commission.2010. _Report on equality between women and men 2010_ , Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union)

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