Alexandra Kuljanin of UN Women – Women and Men as Partners
By Milena Rampoldi, ProMosaik. In
the following my interview with Aleksandra Kuljanin, Communication and
Campaign Officer of UN Women. I asked her questions about UN WOMEN
and the campaign to prevent violence against women. I also talked to her about
our vision of feminism in plural to find out what she thinks about a cultural
and religious declension of the feminist movement. I would like to thank
Aleksandra for her detailled anwers.
the following my interview with Aleksandra Kuljanin, Communication and
Campaign Officer of UN Women. I asked her questions about UN WOMEN
and the campaign to prevent violence against women. I also talked to her about
our vision of feminism in plural to find out what she thinks about a cultural
and religious declension of the feminist movement. I would like to thank
Aleksandra for her detailled anwers.
Which is the
principal role of UN WOMEN?
principal role of UN WOMEN?
UN
Women was created to be a dynamic and strong champion for women and girls,
providing them with a powerful voice at the global, regional and local levels.
Grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the UN Charter, UN Women, among
other issues, works for the:elimination of discrimination against women and
girls; empowerment of women; and achievement of equality between women and men
as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action
and peace and security.
Women was created to be a dynamic and strong champion for women and girls,
providing them with a powerful voice at the global, regional and local levels.
Grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the UN Charter, UN Women, among
other issues, works for the:elimination of discrimination against women and
girls; empowerment of women; and achievement of equality between women and men
as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action
and peace and security.
The
main roles of UN Women are to support inter-governmental bodies in their
formulation of policies, global standards and norms; to help Member States to
implement these standards and to lead and coordinate the UN system’s work on
gender equality.
main roles of UN Women are to support inter-governmental bodies in their
formulation of policies, global standards and norms; to help Member States to
implement these standards and to lead and coordinate the UN system’s work on
gender equality.
Over
many decades, the UN has made significant progress in advancing gender
equality, including through landmark agreements such as the Beijing Declaration
and Platform for Action and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
many decades, the UN has made significant progress in advancing gender
equality, including through landmark agreements such as the Beijing Declaration
and Platform for Action and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
What does genderequality means to you?
Gender
equality is not only a basic human right, but its achievement has enormous
socio-economic ramifications. Empowering women fuels thriving economies,
spurring productivity and growth. Yet gender inequalities remain deeply
entrenched in every society. Women lack access to decent work and face
occupational segregation and gender wage gaps. They are too often denied access
to basic education and health care. Women in all parts of the world suffer
violence and discrimination. They are under-represented in political and
economic decision-making processes. For many years, the UN has faced serious
challenges in its efforts to promote gender equality globally, including
inadequate funding and no single recognized driver to direct UN activities on
gender equality issues. UN Women was created to address such challenges.
equality is not only a basic human right, but its achievement has enormous
socio-economic ramifications. Empowering women fuels thriving economies,
spurring productivity and growth. Yet gender inequalities remain deeply
entrenched in every society. Women lack access to decent work and face
occupational segregation and gender wage gaps. They are too often denied access
to basic education and health care. Women in all parts of the world suffer
violence and discrimination. They are under-represented in political and
economic decision-making processes. For many years, the UN has faced serious
challenges in its efforts to promote gender equality globally, including
inadequate funding and no single recognized driver to direct UN activities on
gender equality issues. UN Women was created to address such challenges.
Which are the
best strategies to struggle against gender-based violence?
best strategies to struggle against gender-based violence?
There
are different strategies to combat gender based violence, and different
strategies can be applied in different environments. In Bosnia and Herzegovina,
UN Women supports the institutions and civil society organizations in their
work to implement laws and policies aligned with legally-binding conventions on
discrimination and violence against women and girls. In 2013, UN Women in
partnership with the Agency for Gender Equality, Gender Centers, the BiH
Statistics Agency and UNFPA supported the publication of the First National
Study on Prevalence and Characteristics of Violence against Women in BiH. The
findings of this study show that women in BiH are exposed to a high risk of
violence, first in their immediate, intimate environment of relationships with
partners and family, and then in the broader community. Findings also indicate
that almost half of the women in BiH (older than 15) have been subjected at
least once in their lifetime to some of four kinds of violence (physical,
psychological, sexual and economic). The entry into force of the Council of
Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and
Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) in August 2014 has marked an important
milestone in the BiH efforts to curb violence against women and girls, in
addition to new legislation on protection from family violence that was adopted
in 2012 in both of BiH’s entities. However, there is still a need to harmonize
these laws at all levels and implement their necessary provisions to ensure
legal protection, equal treatment and respecting the rights of women and
children, who are recognized as the most frequent victims of gender-based
violence.
are different strategies to combat gender based violence, and different
strategies can be applied in different environments. In Bosnia and Herzegovina,
UN Women supports the institutions and civil society organizations in their
work to implement laws and policies aligned with legally-binding conventions on
discrimination and violence against women and girls. In 2013, UN Women in
partnership with the Agency for Gender Equality, Gender Centers, the BiH
Statistics Agency and UNFPA supported the publication of the First National
Study on Prevalence and Characteristics of Violence against Women in BiH. The
findings of this study show that women in BiH are exposed to a high risk of
violence, first in their immediate, intimate environment of relationships with
partners and family, and then in the broader community. Findings also indicate
that almost half of the women in BiH (older than 15) have been subjected at
least once in their lifetime to some of four kinds of violence (physical,
psychological, sexual and economic). The entry into force of the Council of
Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and
Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) in August 2014 has marked an important
milestone in the BiH efforts to curb violence against women and girls, in
addition to new legislation on protection from family violence that was adopted
in 2012 in both of BiH’s entities. However, there is still a need to harmonize
these laws at all levels and implement their necessary provisions to ensure
legal protection, equal treatment and respecting the rights of women and
children, who are recognized as the most frequent victims of gender-based
violence.
Throughout
the years, we have also assisted the development of the National Framework
Strategy to implement the Istanbul Convention and research for a baseline study
on violence against women and girls, with indicators to monitor implementation,
supported the creation and strengthening of Institutional Networks for the
Support of Victims/Witnesses, so that those willing to testify in on-going
court cases related to war crimes and war rape prosecutions are protected and
given psychological support, strengthened capacities of the police officers and
social workers in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and worked on
raising awareness among men on changing harmful stereotypes.
the years, we have also assisted the development of the National Framework
Strategy to implement the Istanbul Convention and research for a baseline study
on violence against women and girls, with indicators to monitor implementation,
supported the creation and strengthening of Institutional Networks for the
Support of Victims/Witnesses, so that those willing to testify in on-going
court cases related to war crimes and war rape prosecutions are protected and
given psychological support, strengthened capacities of the police officers and
social workers in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and worked on
raising awareness among men on changing harmful stereotypes.
In
April 2016 UN Women launched a three-year programme on ending violence against
women and domestic violence in BiH financially supported by the Swedish
International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). The programme aims to
strengthen the institutional and social response mechanisms to violence against
women and domestic violence by contributing to the implementation of the
Istanbul Convention. The programme has two main components that are focusing on
protection of survivors and prevention of violence against women and domestic
violence. Therefore, in cooperation with gender mechanisms and partner
organizations, the programme aims to enhance availability, access and quality
of services utilizing a multi-sectorial approach to address violence against
women and domestic violence in BiH. This will be realised by support to state
based and non-governmental institutional service provision in line with the
requirements of the Istanbul Convention, as well as by deploying direct support
to capacity development of relevant service providers in selected communities.
UN Women will also have a strong focus on working with men and boys to address
and understand gender roles through awareness campaigning and educational
activities. In addition, key media actors and outlets will be engaged in
advocacy, research and capacity building towards improving gender sensitive
reporting and preventing violence against women and girls.
April 2016 UN Women launched a three-year programme on ending violence against
women and domestic violence in BiH financially supported by the Swedish
International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). The programme aims to
strengthen the institutional and social response mechanisms to violence against
women and domestic violence by contributing to the implementation of the
Istanbul Convention. The programme has two main components that are focusing on
protection of survivors and prevention of violence against women and domestic
violence. Therefore, in cooperation with gender mechanisms and partner
organizations, the programme aims to enhance availability, access and quality
of services utilizing a multi-sectorial approach to address violence against
women and domestic violence in BiH. This will be realised by support to state
based and non-governmental institutional service provision in line with the
requirements of the Istanbul Convention, as well as by deploying direct support
to capacity development of relevant service providers in selected communities.
UN Women will also have a strong focus on working with men and boys to address
and understand gender roles through awareness campaigning and educational
activities. In addition, key media actors and outlets will be engaged in
advocacy, research and capacity building towards improving gender sensitive
reporting and preventing violence against women and girls.
How to help women
refugees and migrants?
refugees and migrants?
Today, around the
world, people are on the move. They are migrating to escape poverty, improve
their livelihood and opportunities, or escaping conflict and devastation in
their own countries. Women represent almost half of the 244 million migrants
and half of the 19.6 million refugees worldwide. The remittances sent by women
migrant workers improve the livelihood and health of their families and
strengthen economies. In 2015, international migrants sent $432.6 billion in
remittances to developing countries—nearly three times the amount of Official Development
Assistance, which totaled at $131.6 billion. Women are often the first
responders in a crisis, and whether en route or in camps, in home countries or
destination countries, they play a crucial role in caring for, sustaining and
rebuilding their communities. Yet, refugee and migrant women’s needs,
priorities and voices are often missing from policies designed to protect and
assist them. Specific challenges in transit include family separation,
psychosocial stress and trauma, health complications, physical harm and injury,
and risks of exploitation and gender-based violence. Language barriers and
cultural factors, combined with the intention of asylum-seekers to move through
transit countries as quickly as possible, make it more challenging for humanitarian
actors’ to provide essential services, as well as to identify and support
particularly vulnerable groups.
world, people are on the move. They are migrating to escape poverty, improve
their livelihood and opportunities, or escaping conflict and devastation in
their own countries. Women represent almost half of the 244 million migrants
and half of the 19.6 million refugees worldwide. The remittances sent by women
migrant workers improve the livelihood and health of their families and
strengthen economies. In 2015, international migrants sent $432.6 billion in
remittances to developing countries—nearly three times the amount of Official Development
Assistance, which totaled at $131.6 billion. Women are often the first
responders in a crisis, and whether en route or in camps, in home countries or
destination countries, they play a crucial role in caring for, sustaining and
rebuilding their communities. Yet, refugee and migrant women’s needs,
priorities and voices are often missing from policies designed to protect and
assist them. Specific challenges in transit include family separation,
psychosocial stress and trauma, health complications, physical harm and injury,
and risks of exploitation and gender-based violence. Language barriers and
cultural factors, combined with the intention of asylum-seekers to move through
transit countries as quickly as possible, make it more challenging for humanitarian
actors’ to provide essential services, as well as to identify and support
particularly vulnerable groups.
Girls and women
who are displaced are now among the most vulnerable in the world and often
experience sexual violence. Women refugees often fall prey to assault and rape,
not only during transit, but also once they have reached a safe destination. Activities
related to ensuring the safety of women range from installing more lighting in
camps so that women can safely go to the toilet, to education and awareness
programmes educating men.
who are displaced are now among the most vulnerable in the world and often
experience sexual violence. Women refugees often fall prey to assault and rape,
not only during transit, but also once they have reached a safe destination. Activities
related to ensuring the safety of women range from installing more lighting in
camps so that women can safely go to the toilet, to education and awareness
programmes educating men.
ProMosaik is
convinced that feminism is a movement in plural because it depends on culture
and religion. What do you think about it?
convinced that feminism is a movement in plural because it depends on culture
and religion. What do you think about it?
Feminism, as the
belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities and the
theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes, is in the
core of UN Women work, globally and locally. We believe that both men and women
need to be equally involved in the movement and working together towards changing
harmful stereotypes and reducing inequalities. Hence, UN Women ambassadors,
such as Emma Watson, strongly advocate for the men and women from all walks of
life to engage into feminist movement. Feminism certainly depends on different
cultures and contexts, as any other political movement, and in Bosnian context
it also reflects country’s specific gender issues. Therefore, in Bosnia and
Herzegovina we have also undertaken activities under global uniting movement
called HeForShe, which invites individuals to step forward and to speak up.
belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities and the
theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes, is in the
core of UN Women work, globally and locally. We believe that both men and women
need to be equally involved in the movement and working together towards changing
harmful stereotypes and reducing inequalities. Hence, UN Women ambassadors,
such as Emma Watson, strongly advocate for the men and women from all walks of
life to engage into feminist movement. Feminism certainly depends on different
cultures and contexts, as any other political movement, and in Bosnian context
it also reflects country’s specific gender issues. Therefore, in Bosnia and
Herzegovina we have also undertaken activities under global uniting movement
called HeForShe, which invites individuals to step forward and to speak up.
What are the main
problems women have to face in your country? And which are the solutions?
problems women have to face in your country? And which are the solutions?
In Bosnia and
Herzegovina, women still face various problems in accessing rights. Apart from
working on ending violence against women, UN Women is currently working
alongside IOM, UNDP and UNFPA to advance the rights and address the needs of conflict-related sexual violence
survivors in terms of access to quality services, social and economic
empowerment, justice and reparations. In BiH, we are also supporting central and local governments in
building their capacities to integrate in policy-making and strategic planning
processes. UN Women also undertakes campaigns such as the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based
Violence, International Women’s Day
and the recently launched HeForShe campaign.
Herzegovina, women still face various problems in accessing rights. Apart from
working on ending violence against women, UN Women is currently working
alongside IOM, UNDP and UNFPA to advance the rights and address the needs of conflict-related sexual violence
survivors in terms of access to quality services, social and economic
empowerment, justice and reparations. In BiH, we are also supporting central and local governments in
building their capacities to integrate in policy-making and strategic planning
processes. UN Women also undertakes campaigns such as the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based
Violence, International Women’s Day
and the recently launched HeForShe campaign.
