Flower of Success for the Dragon Lady
Today, we followed with great joy the event “Flower of Success for the Dragon Lady,” traditionally organized every year by the Association of Business Women of Serbia. We first got to know them when they implemented the project “Business, Gender and Age Equalizer”, co-financed by EU through CBC programme Serbia/ North Macedonia. At that time, the Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Ms. Plamena Halacheva, visited them in Vranje for the first time.
Tonight, she shared with the audience an inspiring message about the strength and courage of women, reminding us that empowered women not only build their careers but also entire communities, and that their success is a shared success for all of us.
“It is a great honor for me to once again join the organization Flower of Success and celebrate the outstanding achievements of Serbian women. Last year, I spoke about how the dragon woman is no longer a passive character in someone else’s story, but a force that forges her own path. This year, I want to take that idea one step further.
Empowering women is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic opportunity. Over the past three years, I have met many women across different parts of Serbia who embody these truths. Women who start businesses from scratch, who build bridges in their communities, and who lead their families and neighbors forward.
Often driven only by the power of their example, vision, and sacrifice, these women are not just leaders. They are agents of change. And our strongest women are pillars in building sustainable, resilient, and inclusive communities. We know that when women are empowered, they reinvest in their families, communities, and their country.
Their success multiplies and elevates everyone around them. The European Union stands behind this vision. Across Europe, we have learned that gender equality is not a cost, but the smartest investment we can make. Diverse companies perform better, and societies with more women in the workforce grow faster.
If women and men participated equally in the economy, EU GDP per capita could rise by almost 10% by 2050, representing an economic gain of over 3 billion euros. Here in Serbia, we support women’s economic empowerment through programs that assist entrepreneurs, strengthen business incubators, and open opportunities for financing innovative ideas. But these are only tools. True transformation comes from the courage, creativity, and determination of the women themselves.
The dragon woman symbolizes this power. She is fierce and compassionate, visionary and grounded. She shows us that empowerment is not just about numbers or policies, but about unleashing human potential. And tonight, as we celebrate the women who carry this title, we unleash all the dragons among us, to challenge the status quo, open doors to equality and opportunities, and build a fairer, stronger, and more prosperous Serbia and Europe.
By defending and respecting gender equality, we can create a fairer society and social model and utilize all our talents and potentials to build a sustainable and secure future. Thank you.”
