The Third Women’s Weekend Opens in Rijeka with Powerful Messages on Leadership and Equality

Women’s Weekend is no longer just a conference—it has been an inspiration from day one. With this message, the third edition of Women’s Weekend was officially opened, kicking off a three-day festival dedicated to exchanging knowledge and experiences while addressing key social issues.

The official opening featured speeches by Nevena Rendeli Vejzović, director of Women’s Weekend, and Marko Filipović, Mayor of Rijeka, both emphasizing the importance of creating spaces for open dialogue.

“Women’s Weekend brings a powerful feminine energy that drives society towards equality. The festival’s core message is about building a better and fairer world,” stated Mayor Filipović.

Maja Baković, Head of Promotion at the Rijeka Tourist Board, Irena Peršić Živadinov, Director of the Kvarner Tourist Board, and Petar Mamula, Deputy Prefect of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, also extended their support for Women’s Weekend, highlighting the event’s significance for the entire region.

Conversations on Equality Continue Today’s discussions built on the themes introduced during the festival’s pre-opening day, held in collaboration with the European Commission Representation in Croatia. Key topics included gender equality in diplomacy and the role of women in science. Later in the day, attention shifted to work-life balance, with participants analyzing the challenges women face in juggling careers and family life, as well as how service providers can help improve the situation.

Zrinka Ujević, Head of the European Commission Representation in Croatia, emphasized: “We must never stop talking about these issues. Our work is far from over because, for some, equality is still just a dream.”

The day’s program opened with a talk by Marko Vešligaj, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality. He discussed the synergy between national and European efforts in ensuring gender equality in practice, stressing that progress in this area has stalled. Croatia, in particular, ranks 24th out of 27 EU member states in gender equality, largely due to pronounced disparities in the labor market.

Insightful Panels on Work-Life Balance and Women’s Impact on Rijeka Early morning panel discussions drew significant interest. The first, The (In)visible Load: Private vs. Professional Life, explored the hidden burden of balancing personal and professional responsibilities. Speakers questioned whether workplace conditions and corporate cultures are adequately supportive of women who also bear family obligations. Employers, they noted, play a crucial role in this balance.

“Flexible working hours, remote work, and paternity leave are just some of the measures we implement to help our employees achieve a better work-life balance,” said Dr. Alenka Jajac-Knez, Director of Market Operations at pharmaceutical company JGL d.d.

Similarly, A1 Croatia has made work-life balance a priority. “A good manager must ensure a healthy balance between work and personal life within their team,” said Blaž Ferenc, Chief Human Resources and Corporate Communications Officer at A1 Croatia and A1 Slovenia.

Another compelling discussion focused on Rijeka as a City of Women’s Identity, exploring how strong women have historically shaped the city and the challenges they continue to face in business, culture, and society.

“Rijeka has always been recognized as a city that promotes culture and equality, largely thanks to the strong women who have shaped it. We wanted to honor them, which is why we created the Square of Strong Women and named the port’s iconic cranes after them,” said Maja Borčić, Commercial Director of Rijeka Gateway, referring to the impressive harbor cranes named after influential Rijeka women.

Women Changing the Game One of the most inspiring panels, Game Changers, featured Khalia Collier, a key figure in the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks and owner of the St. Louis Surge, alongside Iris Diaz, Brand and Marketing Director for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“It’s crucial to build a community that recognizes and supports women. The goal is not to be the only woman in the room—the goal is to create an environment where we all grow together. In the next five to ten years, we’ll see more women realizing their strength and courage, despite the challenges,” said Collier. She also stressed that true equality has yet to be achieved, pointing out that if the playing field were truly level, there would be significantly more women in leadership positions across business and sports organizations.

Diaz added that being the first in something comes with responsibility. “If you’re the first, you must open doors for others. We work tirelessly, but we know our efforts will pay off. We fight for changes that will benefit future generations. Never give up! If you dream about something and can’t stop thinking about it, that means it’s worth fighting for. My dream was to work on the World Cup—and I made it happen. I stayed persistent, took on challenges, and learned from failures. Surround yourself with the right people and believe in yourself,” she said, leaving the audience with a powerful reminder of the importance of change across all industries.

Tackling Sexual Harassment in Public Spaces One of the most emotional moments of the day was the discussion on Standing Up Against Sexual Harassment, powered by L’Oréal Paris. Panelists bravely shared their personal experiences and emphasized the need for both societal and legislative change. Panelists shared practical intervention tools and reinforced the message that everyone has a role in creating safer public spaces. “Every woman has the right to live safely and freely—it is never the victim’s fault.”

The Program Continues The afternoon will bring further discussions on women in leadership, postpartum depression, and the role of corporate inclusion in creating better workplaces. Upcoming panels will explore leadership, personal branding, and the challenges of the modern business world. The evening will shift into a more relaxed networking session, fostering conversations in an informal setting. Notably, high-interest discussions include The Truth About Obesity, The Collagen Revolution: Innovations in Skin and Body Regeneration (powered by Vichy), and Women Who Speak Their Minds. Saturday promises an even more dynamic lineup with top speakers, ensuring another day of important conversations. Women’s Weekend is in full swing, bringing powerful energy, impactful messages, and inspiring stories—celebrating International Women’s Day with discussions that push boundaries and open new dialogues.