GENDER PROFILE MONTENEGRO
Gender equality in agriculture ensures that both women and men have equal access to land, resources, and opportunities, which makes entire communities benefit. Closing the gender gap in rural areas is a powerful strategy for economic growth, environmental sustainability, and national resilience.
Women from rural areas of Montenegro remain underrepresented in key fields. According to preliminary data from the 2024 Agricultural Census:
12.9% of women are listed as primary holders or managers of agricultural households.
Women make up 24% of insured individuals in the national farmer registry—an improvement from 14% in 2021, but still low.
Gender norms and traditional inheritance patterns prevent many women from owning land or equipment.
Women in the north of Montenegro are seven times less likely to be employed than women in the south.
50% of unemployed women in rural areas have never actively sought work, citing unpaid domestic responsibilities as a major barrier.
Women in rural areas are more likely to engage in unpaid domestic and agricultural labor, spending an average of ten years of their lives doing this work without formal recognition or compensation.
While women’s representation in the Parliamentary Committee on Tourism, Agriculture, Ecology, and Spatial Planning has improved (from 23.1% in 2021 to 30.7% in 2024), they are still largely absent from local decision-making bodies that shape agricultural policy. This limits women’s influence over funding, land reform, and community development programs.
Moreover, there is a lack of comprehensive gender-disaggregated data in agriculture. The ongoing Agricultural Census aims to fill this gap by collecting data on land ownership, production roles, equipment, and gender dynamics. These insights will be critical for shaping more inclusive policies in the coming years.
The UNDP Empower Her project is working to improve the current situation by providing training, tools, and support networks for women in Berane, Bijelo Polje, and Plav. These initiative aims to strengthen women’s roles in agriculture while fostering long-term rural development. By focusing not only on economic empowerment but also on leadership development and confidence-building, the project supports women in becoming active participants in community decision-making processes. This dual approach, economic and civic, strengthens women’s voices in rural development and contributes to more resilient and equitable communities.
Montenegro’s Law on the Election of Councilors and Members of Parliament was adopted in 1998 and has...
Montenegro has never had a woman as a prime minister, president, or leader of a parliamentary party....
Over 80% of public administration employees report that institutions rarely or never conduct gender ...
Women are the majority among bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree holders in Montenegro but occ...
Women consistently make up the majority of the unemployed. Around 48% of citizens believe that the m...
This sector remains among the least gender-informed in Montenegro. Women are underrepresented in key...
Women produce nearly 60% of published news content but are significantly underrepresented as sources...
Women make up 16.52% of Montenegro's Armed Forces, including civilians, 12.04% of professional milit...
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