Women own only 6 % properties in Serbia.

The conference "The Right to Inheritance - the Path to Gender Equality and Ending Violence" in Belgrade announced that women own only about 6% of real estate in the country.

"If we consider only real estate, actually only 25% of this share is owned by women. Women earn less, are less represented in the labor market, and do more unpaid work. Women's economic independence is very important," said Rikanovic.

The survey results show that about 36% of women would give up property in favor of men, while only 19% of men would give up property in favor of women.

The conference reported that according to the 2023 research, 84% of those surveyed said they were unaware that they would not be able to receive social assistance if they gave up ownership.

The Commissioner for the Protection of Equal Rights Brankica Jankovic assessed that the consequences of giving up property manifest themselves in economic inequality, which turns into violence and then escalates into femicide. "The state has already done its part by enacting the Inheritance Act in 1955, but it still has much more to do to make the law alive in the minds of the citizens. The key word is rights awareness.

The Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Plamena Halaceva, presented data according to which 88% of property in rural areas is owned by men. "There were at least 27 cases of femicide in Serbia last year and the same number this year. About many of the rights we take for granted, and many women give them up because that's how they were taught. The EU has invested about 4 million euros in various programs to strengthen the role of women in different spheres," Halacheva said.

Today's conference was presented a guide "The Right to Inheritance - a Universal Right", which contains an explanation of the basic concepts of inheritance law, an overview of the legal procedure of inheritance, consequences of refusing inheritance and information on places where one can get legal help and advice.

The conference "The Right to Inheritance - a Path to Gender Equality and Ending Violence" was held as part of the 16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women, organized by the Ombudsman for the Protection of Equal Rights, UN Women and the IDEAS Centre for Research and Development of Society.