Gender equality and work–life balance for parents in Serbia: legal and institutional challenges

Nikolić Popadić, Sofija (2026) Gender equality and work–life balance for parents in Serbia: legal and institutional challenges. In: : Gender equality in the post-Yugoslav space: challenges, policies and perspectives, book of abstracts. Institute of Social Sciences, Belgrade, pp. 38-39. ISBN 978-86-7093-294-4

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Abstract

This research explores gender equality and work–life balance for parents in Serbia through an analysis of their institutional and legal frameworks, with particular attention to existing disparities and future policy directions. Over the past two decades, Serbia has adopted a comprehensive set of laws and strategies aimed at promoting gender equality, including anti-discrimination legislation, labour regulations, and parental leave policies. Despite this normative progress, significant gaps remain between formal rights, their implementation and practical needs of parents. Women continue to face disproportionate challenges in the labour market and career interruptions linked to caregiving responsibilities. Although legal provisions enable fathers to take parental leave, the uptake remains limited due to persistent gender norms and workplace expectations. In addition, the availability and accessibility of childcare services and institutional support remains limited, which is one of the critical factors influencing work–family reconciliation and affecting the achievement of gender equality, given that in practice, the lack of institutional childcare support affects more women than men.

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