National Policy for Gender Equality, for the period 2011-2015

In 2006 the Croatian Parliament adopted the third National Policy for the Promotion of Gender Equality 2006–2010 which contains 144 measures, and in 2011 the fourth National Policy for Gender Equality for the period 2011-2015 which contains 94 measures. National policy is the basic national strategic document adopted for the purpose of eliminating still present discrimination against women and establishing true gender equality. The National Policy obliges the manadated authorities (mostly ministries, central and local administration ) to implement a number of measures related to seven areas of concern: 1) human rights 2) labour market; 3) education and training; 4) political and public decision-making; 5) violence against women; 6) international cooperation and gender equality outside Croatia; and 7) institutional mechanisms. The Gender Equality Act obliges the Governmental Office for Gender Equality to supervise the implementation of measures and to submit biannual reports to the Government. The report for the period 2011 - 2013 has shown that the majority of measures were implemented within the set deadlines and results. The collected data indicate significant involvement of all stakeholders, in particular state administration bodies and local gender equality commissions, most of which included civil society organisations in implementation of the measures. National policy for gender equality also evoked significant public interest as numerous discussions about its extent and possible results have taken place, both at the national and local level. It served as a starting point for creation of new strategic documents (such as a strategy for women’s entrepreunership), and a basis for financial support   for a number of actions aimed at raising public awareness about gender inequalities. The additional value is that county assemblies county for the first time adopted action plans for the implementation of the National Policy at the local level. Database of all the adopted local action plans and an overview of activities of local commissions are available on the Office for Gender equality website.