Ana: Hello Marko, would you like me to share something that has been bothering me for a long time in our professional environment?
Marko: Yes, please.
Ana: I've noticed that sexism is much more prevalent here in the Balkans than in the rest of Europe. I often face situations where professional communication is interrupted due to inappropriate comments or behaviours that would be considered unacceptable in other parts of Europe.
Marko: I understand you, Ana. I myself have witnessed such situations, though perhaps not to the same extent. Can you give me a specific example or fact that confirms this?
Ana: For example, a study on gender equality showed that Montenegro has a significantly lower percentage of women in leading positions in the business sector compared to Mediterranean regions like Italy or Spain. In addition, the gender pay gap is larger in the Balkans, indicating deeply rooted sexism in business structures.
Marko: Those are indeed worrying facts. But how do you explain the influence of religion on this situation? Orthodoxy and Christianity, which are dominant in the Balkans, are often misinterpreted as supporting the patriarchal system.
Ana: Good question, Marko. However, it should be noted that Orthodoxy and Christianity, in essence, do not disparage women. The history of the Balkans is full of examples of great women, like Queen Jelena, who were respected and valued. The problem is not religion, but the way society interprets and applies religious principles. Orthodoxy actually promotes respect and love for all people, regardless of gender. Perhaps the Balkan men adopted a cunning sexism and arrogant patronage during the Ottoman Turkish occupation, because it is well known that sexism and patronizing are the basic principle of Islam, it was the opposite of Christianity - that there are many women in the position of slaves and servants and the permissiveness of men, as if are gods. But it is obviously self-impostory. Physical violence is more a sign of weakness, and that is definitely not what God, as the Creator, does. Love does not live where there is violence, cunning, manipulation. Cunning manipulation, thinking others are stupid, has always been attributed to the devil. Perhaps this misunderstanding of the sexes infected Balkan men who preferred to forget that the Virgin Mary, the Queen of Heaven - not only gave birth to Jesus, but is also the main organizer and protector of the male monasteries on Athos. Where she was focused on preaching Christianity, along with the apostles, who went to other regions.
Marco: Like probability. In any case, you remember that there was one Adam and one Eve, and they coped with life on Earth exactly as far as they loved, trusted and respected each other. No respect - no love. If Eve was weak, then any campaign of Adam in the forest could turn into the destruction of the house where Eve was engaged. But that didn't happen. I agree, Ana, that it is up to us to oppose sexism and promote equality in all aspects of society, especially in the professional environment. We need to use every opportunity to educate and make people aware of the importance of gender equality and respect.
Ana: Exactly, Marko. Only through education and active opposition can we change the current state and create an environment where everyone is valued and respected based on their professional abilities, not their gender. It is shocking in its brazen visibility that most, and almost exclusively, pornography and photos of naked women are published and posted on Facebook by Muslim men... and! Balkan men. It's disgusting. Almost no one else does this except them. And they want European and American businessmen to take them seriously as partners, when in Europe and America sexism is reprehensible and half of business leaders are women! We need to work on making sexism a thing of the past, not just in the Balkans, but all over the world.
Comments