The Gender Studies program at the University of Montenegro has issued a strong condemnation regarding the public disclosure of private information about journalist Mirjana Pajković. This statement also addresses the threats directed at fellow journalist Jelana Jovanović, emphasizing the serious violation of human rights, dignity, and safety faced by women in both public and digital spaces.
In a press release, the Gender Studies program described the leaking of Pajković’s personal details not merely as a scandal but as an act of gender-based violence. They argue that using a woman’s intimacy as a means of public discrediting and social stigmatization is fundamentally harmful. The program highlighted that such actions reveal the vulnerability of women’s bodies to political and societal retribution.
Particularly concerning are the attacks on Jovanović, who continues to perform her journalistic duties with professionalism despite facing intimidation. The statement asserts that these assaults do not reflect freedom of speech; rather, they represent an attempt to silence her and undermine the public’s right to information. Women journalists covering sensitive issues often face gender-motivated attacks due to their commitment to integrity in their work.
The Gender Studies program reiterated that the right to privacy and protection from gender-based violence are guaranteed by international conventions, including the European Convention on Human Rights and the Istanbul Convention.
They have called for the immediate removal of content that unlawfully infringes on individuals’ privacy, institutional protection for victims of digital and gender-based violence, and a clear and unequivocal condemnation of attacks on journalists by relevant authorities. The program emphasized that these incidents are not mere “affairs” but acts of violence, framing the issue as one of public accountability and the defense of fundamental human rights.
As the discourse surrounding privacy and gender-based violence continues, the University of Montenegro’s Gender Studies program urges all stakeholders to recognize the implications of these violations and to take actionable steps towards safeguarding individuals’ rights in both the private and public spheres.
