Barbara Herceg Pakšić, PhD, Full Professor as a member of the research team, presented at the International scientific conference “EU of Gender Equality” held in Osijek on September 24, 2026 at the Faculty of Law. The presentation entitled “On the Position and Meaning of Gender in Criminal Law – Current State and Perspectives in the Republic of Croatia” examines the role and relevance of gender in criminal law, with reference to the normative and practical framework of the Republic of Croatia. It was analyzed whether and to what extent Croatian criminal legislation and judicial practice include a gender-sensitive approach, especially in the context of specific criminal offences. First, the theoretical foundations of gender as a legal and criminological category are described, and then the key provisions of the Criminal Code, assessing their compliance with international standards. Special attention was paid to the concept of gender-based violence, sentencing policies, victim protection mechanisms, and the recognition and validation of gender as a potential aggravating or qualifying circumstance. The lecture also addresses implementation challenges, including evidentiary standards, stereotypes in judicial reasoning, and the need for specialized training for criminal justice professionals. The research suggests that although the Croatian legal framework formally recognizes gender-based violence and provides protective mechanisms, further development is needed to ensure a consistent gender-sensitive interpretation and application of criminal law. The lecture ends with reflections aimed at strengthening substantive equality and increasing the effectiveness of criminal law in response to gender-based violence.
Funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.
