Strateško-pravni okviri EU o ravnopravnosti polova – značaj za Srbiju
The paper analyses legal and strategic frameworks of the European Union (EU) in the field of gender equality and their importance for Serbia, especially seen from the standpoint of economic empowerment of women, being the cornerstone of the policy of equal opportunities. The purpose of the analysis of the relevant primary and secondary EU legislation on gender equality, together with the strategic acts and other soft law examples is focused on pointing out to the necessity of adequate legislation. Real situation in the EU Member States indicates, however, that the Acquis communautaire in the field of gender equality is needed, but not enough for achieving de facto gender equality. Serbia, as well as other countries in the region, which are in the process of economic transition to fully operational market economy, are even in a more delicate situation concerning gender equality in the economic domain. Therefore, in the concluding remarks, the author points out to the determinant factors for implementation of gender equality in practice. Although Serbia is not yet legally binded to implement complete Acquis communautaire, harmonization of national legislation with the EU legal standards and achieving real gender equality is also important for the EU accession process of Serbia, since those issues are classified into the Copenhagen criteria on respect for human rights. Furthermore, the experience of the so-called new Member States shows that the economic changes in relation to the women share at the labor market are recent, but definitely a result of accession to the EU and the result of application of modern EU legal framework in this area. These are positive lessons for Serbia in the process of its Euro-integration.
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