If women take up more space in STEM, the AI industry, and entrepreneurship, inequality will diminish more quickly
Chat, where do men stand in the discussion about gender inequality?
-Men need to be included in the discussion because if feminism remains exclusively a “women’s issue,” progress will be slow. If more men understood that equality benefits them as well (for example, flexible work arrangements mean more family time for both parents), there would be less resistance. Gender equality can also be enhanced through technological advancements and innovation—Artificial Intelligence, digitalization, and new work environments create opportunities for women. For instance, the increasing automation of physical jobs eliminates the division between “male” and “female” professions. If women take up more space in STEM, the AI industry, and entrepreneurship, inequality will diminish more quickly.
Therefore, silence is not an option, but discussions should not happen just for the sake of talking—they should lead to solutions. Change will not happen on its own, but endless debates without concrete actions won’t bring it either. Women must speak up, act, and involve others—because history shows that no major societal change has ever happened on its own. And neither will this one.
Women must speak up, act, and involve others—because history shows that no major societal change has ever happened on its own
Should this “discussion” be daily and individual, or should efforts focus more on gathering in various associations, professional groups, or political parties? What is the best formula for achieving full equality?
-There is no single best formula for achieving full equality; rather, it requires a combination of approaches—individual action, participation in organizations and professional associations, and political engagement. Each of these methods has its strength, and only when they are combined can changes be systematic and long-lasting.
Everyday, individual advocacy is the foundation of change. Change starts on a personal level because if individuals do not recognize the problem, nothing will move forward. Every woman can contribute to equality through her actions and decisions—whether by demanding equal pay, standing up for female colleagues at work, raising children without gender stereotypes, or supporting women in her community.
But individual efforts have their limits—you cannot change parental leave laws, secure equal pay, or increase the number of women in leadership positions alone. That is why organized structures are necessary. One of the most effective ways for women to support each other is by founding and joining professional networks. Many organizations help women in specific fields—from STEM to entrepreneurship and politics. A great example is the “Women in Tech” networks in Europe and the U.S., which actively work to increase the number of women in the IT industry through mentorship, education, and networking. When women share knowledge, experiences, and opportunities, breaking barriers in the job market becomes much easier.
What is crucial for systemic change?
-If equality is not embedded in laws and political decisions, ensuring long-term change is difficult. Consider the examples—Norway introduced legal quotas for women on corporate boards, and now 40% of top managers are women. Sweden implemented mandatory paternity leave policies to ensure childcare responsibilities are equally shared between parents.
Without political will, these changes would have taken much longer. That is why women need to be politically active—not necessarily as politicians but certainly as voters and advocates for policies that promote equality. The fastest and most effective changes occur when individuals, professional networks, and the political system complement each other.
Thus, the best formula is a combination of individual awareness, organized collaboration, and political strategy. If women act only on one level, change will be too slow—but if they act simultaneously on all fronts, gender equality can become a reality much sooner than we think today.
Every woman can contribute to equality through her actions and decisions—whether by demanding equal pay, standing up for female colleagues at work, raising children without gender stereotypes, or supporting women in her community
According to reports in Croatian media today, one in four women has experienced some form of male violence, and the ultimate form of that violence is femicide. Do you have data on how many femicides were committed last year worldwide, in the EU, the U.S., and Croatia? Is the number of femicides increasing or decreasing over the past ten years?
-Femicide, defined as the intentional killing of women because of their gender, is the most extreme form of gender-based violence. However, due to different definitions and reporting methods, global data on femicide is often incomplete or inconsistent.
According to available data, Croatia is among the three EU countries with the highest femicide rates relative to population size. Last year, 18 women were killed in Croatia, which is twice as many as the previous year. In the European Union, femicide is recognized as a serious issue, but due to varying definitions and reporting practices among member states, obtaining accurate and comparable data is difficult.
In the United States, according to FBI data, there were 1,795 recorded murders of women in 2020, of which 1,647 were committed by men. However, it is not specified how many of these cases were classified as femicide, making it difficult to track this phenomenon precisely.
It is important to note that the lack of a unified definition and standardized recording methods complicates the tracking and comparison of femicide statistics worldwide. Therefore, a key step toward tackling this issue is working on the unification of definitions and methodologies, enabling more accurate monitoring and effective prevention of this form of violence.
