At the sitting held on 27 October, the Gender Equality Committee discussed the Gender Equality Bill in principle. The sitting was chaired by Gordana Paunovic-Milosavljevic, Committee Chairperson.

The Head of the Gender Equality Directorate at the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, Natalija Micunovic stated that the law provides a normative framework for the implementation of the policy of gender equality. She mentioned that the Bill was preceded by several versions, adding that she expects some of the solutions to be improved by amendments before the Bill is adopted.

The Committee members pointed out that Serbia lacks the institutional mechanisms for the implementation of gender equality policy, adding that the law should include some of the provisions already present in electoral laws viz. quotas ensuring a minimum of 30% of female representation at the National Assembly. They also suggested that the law should incorporate provisions against discrimination of any kind, particularly against women, as well as make some of the solutions from the punitive policy more severe.

Following the discussion in principle, the Committee members accepted the Gender Equality Bill by a majority of votes, with two reserved opinions.