Women Business Forum

Distinguished guests, dear partners, ladies and gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to join today’s Women Business Forum which stands as a shared belief that gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but also a driver of inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.

Montenegro has made important steps forward. Through its legal frameworks, EU accession processes, and commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals, the country has built a solid foundation to promote gender equality. However, despite progress on paper, the reality for many women, especially in the North, still reflects persistent challenges.

Women in Montenegro are highly educated – in fact, on average, better educated than men in the workforce. But this achievement does not translate into equal opportunities. Women remain underrepresented in management, in entrepreneurship, and in ownership of property. The wage gap persists, with women earning roughly 86 percent of men’s salaries. And although young women and men start out in the labor market with relatively similar participation, the gender gap widens with age – a sign of structural barriers that accumulate over time.

Beyond the numbers, women continue to shoulder the bulk of unpaid domestic and care work. This invisible labor sustains families, communities, and indeed the economy, but it too often comes at the cost of women’s participation in the formal workforce.

Here in the North, the challenges are even sharper. Rural women face higher unemployment, less access to resources, and fewer opportunities to realize their potential. This is why our joint project with UNDP and FAO is focused on strengthening women’s economic resilience – helping rural women connect with profitable value chains, access resources, and build sustainable livelihoods.

But we must be frank. For women entrepreneurs, the obstacles remain significant. A complex and sometimes discouraging business environment, limited access to finance, lack of advisory and non-financial support, and weak representation in decision-making bodies – all of these hinder the growth of women-led businesses.

And yet, we also know that where women succeed, communities thrive. When women entrepreneurs are empowered, they create jobs, invest in their families, and reinvest in their communities. Supporting women is not a matter of charity; it is a smart investment in the future of Montenegro.

The United Nations, together with national partners, stands ready to continue supporting efforts that create an enabling environment for women’s economic empowerment – from reforming policies to building networks, from unlocking finance to amplifying women’s voices at the decision-making table.

I want to leave you with one message: gender equality is not a women’s issue. It is a societal issue. It concerns men and women alike, businesses and governments, communities and individuals. Achieving equality is about unlocking Montenegro’s full potential – in the North, and across the country.

Let us continue to work together, not only to remove the barriers, but also to build the bridges that will allow women to thrive as entrepreneurs, leaders, and change-makers.

Thank you.