On October 19, 2011, at the Westin’s Crystal Ballroom, the Office for Gender Equality of the Government of the Republic of Croatia publically presented two important documents: the National Policy for the Promotion of Gender Equality for the period 2011 – 2015, and the translation of the Strategy of Equality between Women and Men 2010 – 2015, adopted by the European Commission. The documents were presented by the Head of the Office Helena Štimac Radin, the EU Delegation in Croatia representative Paolo Berizzi, and the Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor, and also present were the representatives of civil society organizations, government bodies, local commissions for gender equality and other persons from the public and social life.

After Helena Štimac Radin’s introductory words, Paolo Berizzi presented the Strategy and as the greatest challenge named labor market equality, that is, creating opportunities where the highest positions will be open to women. Realizing equal pay for equal work still remains a major task, and this disparity in the EU amounts to 18%. He also commended Croatia’s efforts and advancement in the field of gender equality. Jadranka Kosor emphasized that despite a good legislative framework, we are still far from the 40% representation of women in Parliament, and that the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) will certainly comply with the Gender Equality Act when creating electoral lists. She also commented on the protection of particularly sensitive groups of women, such as victims of violence, national minority members, especially Roma girls and women, and women with disabilities.