Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic said on Monday that although a lot had been done in including women in public, professional and political life, further efforts should be made to reach the highest standards in gender equality.

Observing International Women’s Day on 8 March is an opportunity to express our gratitude and respect to all women that make our society better and more developed, Jandrokovic said in his message.

On this day we remember all social, economic, cultural, political and scientific achievements made by women in the past, he said adding that Croatia is among countries in which women’s rights are protected to a high degree. He underscored that gender equality is a fundamental value of the Croatian constitution.

Jandrokovic called for further efforts to reach the highest standards in gender equality, including the protection of women against verbal humiliation and violence.

The status of women in politics, society and the enterprise sector is one of the fundamental civilisational values and a mirror of a mature democracy, he said, wishing women all the best for International Women’s Day.