President’s Spouse Sanja Musić Milanović Participates in Conference “The Power of Choice: Realizing Bodily Autonomy for Women and Girls”

Sanja Musić Milanović, the spouse of the President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanović, participated via video address in the high-level regional conference “The Power of Choice: Realizing Bodily Autonomy for Women and Girls,” which took place on 5 October 2023 in Skopje. The regional conference was organized by the spouse of the President of the Republic of North Macedonia Elizabeta Gjorgievska, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and was held under the auspices of the President of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski, who himself addressed the conference participants.

The other participants in the panel discussion included Armanda Begaj, spouse of the President of the Republic of Albania, Mirela Bećirović, wife of a member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Tamara Vučić, spouse of the President of the Republic of Serbia and Aleš Musar, spouse of the President of the Republic of Slovenia. Apart from Sanja Musić Milanović, the spouse of the President of Ukraine Olena Zelenska also addressed participants via video message.

In her address, the President’s spouse Sanja Musić Milanović emphasized that she has devoted her yearslong scientific and professional career to improving and protecting people’s health, which she is actively engaged in as the spouse of the Croatian President.

She emphasized that one of the key areas she is continuously addressing through the Healthy Living national programme deals with promoting sexual and reproductive health. The protection and promotion of sexual and reproductive health are important factors of progress in terms of gender equality. She pointed to the fact that education and raising awareness are not enough and that it is necessary to create safe environments where everyone has access to services and information about the protection and promotion of sexual and reproductive health.

She concluded by saying that she is personally very grateful to be able to use her current position as first lady to raise awareness, and at the same time underscored the need for joint action and the creation of a safe environment in ensuring the physical autonomy of women and girls and promoting sexual and reproductive health, as well as their rights.

The regional conference was attended by representatives of countries from the region of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the UN, the international community, civil society, youth, professionals and other relevant stakeholders.