United Women in Banja Luka – The main problem is that gender based violence remains widespread and socially tolerated throughout the region.
By Denise Nanni and Milena
Rampoldi, ProMosaik. In the following our interview with Aleksandra of the
organisation United Women in
Banja Luka. We asked her about the objectives of her organisation and which
gender-related issues her country has to face. The main problem is that gender
based violence remains widespread and socially tolerated throughout the region.
Would like to thank Aleksandra for her answers and photos.
What are the main
gender-related issues in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Lack of women at decision
making positions – although Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted the Gender Equality
Law that regulates quota of 40% of women at election lists, women are still
under represented at all levels of governance, and space for women in political
decision making and governance is shrinking after each elections. Violence against women – although BiH
institutions adopted legislative framework that incriminates domestic violence,
and other forms of gender based violence, and adopted public policy documents
that focus on prevention and combating VAW, we still high prevalence and
widespread social tolerance for domestic violence, that often ends with murders
of women in a family. Violence against women often goes underreported, due to
lack of sensitivity of key institutional subjects of protection (police and
centers for social work) that fail to react, or react inadequately on requests
for assistance coming from women survivors.
making positions – although Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted the Gender Equality
Law that regulates quota of 40% of women at election lists, women are still
under represented at all levels of governance, and space for women in political
decision making and governance is shrinking after each elections. Violence against women – although BiH
institutions adopted legislative framework that incriminates domestic violence,
and other forms of gender based violence, and adopted public policy documents
that focus on prevention and combating VAW, we still high prevalence and
widespread social tolerance for domestic violence, that often ends with murders
of women in a family. Violence against women often goes underreported, due to
lack of sensitivity of key institutional subjects of protection (police and
centers for social work) that fail to react, or react inadequately on requests
for assistance coming from women survivors.
What are the activities of United Women?
We are working in two strategic directions –
prevention and fighting violence against women and advancing participation and
influence of women at decision making positions. We provide gender sensitive
services for women survivors of violence, including free legal assistance, SOS
telephone counseling, and have shelter/safe house for women and children
victims of violence. We advocate for changes and adoptions of public policies
related to women’s human rights and gender equality, and work closely with
women in parliaments at all levels in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to advance public
policies and laws affecting lives of women. United Women Banja Luka is
continuously organizing organize public advocacy campaigns, and work on increasing
public visibility of women’s issues, engaging wide population to contribute to
prevention and fighting violence against women. Gender based violence
prevention includes work with schools through workshops targeting students and
school personnel on gender equality and fighting gender based violence. United Women Banja Luka actively cooperates with
women’s NGOs across the country on numerous actions/activities aimed at
fighting gender based violence, and advancing women’s participation in decision
making and peace building. We also
network and work together on prevention and combating gender based violence at
the regional level, with the Autonomous Women’s Center from Belgrade (Serbia),
Center for Women Victims of War Rosa from Zagreb (Croatia), Gender Equality
Council from Skopje (Macedonia), SOS Telephone for Women and Children Ljubljana
(Slovenia), Women’s Center from Podgorica (Montenegro). Together we worked on
the regional initiative of advocating for ratification and implementation of
the Council of Europe Convention on Prevention and Combating Violence Against
Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention), which Bosnia and Herzegovina
ratified in 2013. United Women is also a
member of VAWE Network (Women Against Violence in Europe), and contributes in
exchanges of practices and campaigning against gender violence.
prevention and fighting violence against women and advancing participation and
influence of women at decision making positions. We provide gender sensitive
services for women survivors of violence, including free legal assistance, SOS
telephone counseling, and have shelter/safe house for women and children
victims of violence. We advocate for changes and adoptions of public policies
related to women’s human rights and gender equality, and work closely with
women in parliaments at all levels in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to advance public
policies and laws affecting lives of women. United Women Banja Luka is
continuously organizing organize public advocacy campaigns, and work on increasing
public visibility of women’s issues, engaging wide population to contribute to
prevention and fighting violence against women. Gender based violence
prevention includes work with schools through workshops targeting students and
school personnel on gender equality and fighting gender based violence. United Women Banja Luka actively cooperates with
women’s NGOs across the country on numerous actions/activities aimed at
fighting gender based violence, and advancing women’s participation in decision
making and peace building. We also
network and work together on prevention and combating gender based violence at
the regional level, with the Autonomous Women’s Center from Belgrade (Serbia),
Center for Women Victims of War Rosa from Zagreb (Croatia), Gender Equality
Council from Skopje (Macedonia), SOS Telephone for Women and Children Ljubljana
(Slovenia), Women’s Center from Podgorica (Montenegro). Together we worked on
the regional initiative of advocating for ratification and implementation of
the Council of Europe Convention on Prevention and Combating Violence Against
Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention), which Bosnia and Herzegovina
ratified in 2013. United Women is also a
member of VAWE Network (Women Against Violence in Europe), and contributes in
exchanges of practices and campaigning against gender violence.
How extended is
gender-based violence and how do you address this issue?
gender-based violence and how do you address this issue?
As we explained above, gender based violence remains widespread and
socially tolerated throughout the region, as well in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Official statistics are not harmonized and collected regularly, and due to
that, it is difficult to speak about prevalence in exact figures. For example,
in 2013, the Agency for Gender Equality of Bosnia and Herzegovina coordinated
the first countrywide study on prevalence and characteristics of violence
against women in BiH. According to research findings, more than half of
the women surveyed (47.2% in BiH, 47.2% in the Federation BiH and the Republic
of Srpska, 47.3%) experienced at least one form of violence from the age of 15.
Perpetrators of violence against women are most often former or current
partners. Research findings show that partner violence is evident in 71.5% of
cases. In general, there is a much higher risk of violence against women in
intimate partner and domestic relationships that in the wider community. Young
women are more exposed to violence than older women (the prevalence rate of
violence among women aged 18-24 is 56.38% and 44.2% in the case of women over
65 years) Data on the frequency of violence indicates that occurrences of
violence are not individual incidents, but that these practices are
systematically repeated.[1]
socially tolerated throughout the region, as well in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Official statistics are not harmonized and collected regularly, and due to
that, it is difficult to speak about prevalence in exact figures. For example,
in 2013, the Agency for Gender Equality of Bosnia and Herzegovina coordinated
the first countrywide study on prevalence and characteristics of violence
against women in BiH. According to research findings, more than half of
the women surveyed (47.2% in BiH, 47.2% in the Federation BiH and the Republic
of Srpska, 47.3%) experienced at least one form of violence from the age of 15.
Perpetrators of violence against women are most often former or current
partners. Research findings show that partner violence is evident in 71.5% of
cases. In general, there is a much higher risk of violence against women in
intimate partner and domestic relationships that in the wider community. Young
women are more exposed to violence than older women (the prevalence rate of
violence among women aged 18-24 is 56.38% and 44.2% in the case of women over
65 years) Data on the frequency of violence indicates that occurrences of
violence are not individual incidents, but that these practices are
systematically repeated.[1]
Gender based violence exists
within all spheres of social life in BiH, and it is closely linked with
patriarchal background of our society, strong influence of religious
communities on entire social context of postwar society. Gender equality and
women’s human rights issues are marginalized topics. Throughout 20 years of
work, United Women Banja Luka built gender sensitive services for women in
need, as we said through free legal assistance, SOS telephone, and Safe House.
We are continuously engaged in public advocacy for improving legal and public
policy protection through participating in developing legislation, submitting
amendments, and also monitoring work of judicial institutions (courts and
prosecutors) to influence on better protection of women and children survivors that
are participating as witnesses in court proceedings, among other activities.
within all spheres of social life in BiH, and it is closely linked with
patriarchal background of our society, strong influence of religious
communities on entire social context of postwar society. Gender equality and
women’s human rights issues are marginalized topics. Throughout 20 years of
work, United Women Banja Luka built gender sensitive services for women in
need, as we said through free legal assistance, SOS telephone, and Safe House.
We are continuously engaged in public advocacy for improving legal and public
policy protection through participating in developing legislation, submitting
amendments, and also monitoring work of judicial institutions (courts and
prosecutors) to influence on better protection of women and children survivors that
are participating as witnesses in court proceedings, among other activities.
How do you advocate women’s
participation in politics?
Foundation United Women Banja Luka recognized
women in decision making as important allies in working on improving women’s
human rights in practice, and we continuously work with women parliamentarians
to advocate together for improving protection of women’s human rights in the
practice. We were part of the countrywide coalition of women’s NGOs that
successfully advocated for introducing women’s quota in the Election Law of
Bosnia and Herzegovina, and support women’s participation in the election
process through public advocacy during pre-election campaigns, emphasizing
importance of women’s representation in political decision making regardless of
political option. In 2010, we initiated the Program Platform of cooperation of
women NGO activists and women parliamentarians at state, entity, and Brcko
District level, within which we defined common advocacy priorities, and discuss
concrete actions to advocate for better implementation of laws and policies in
this field. United Women also continuously work with women in political
parties, to raise their capacities to engage in political life, advocacy and
media communication skills, and also focus on young women politicians, to encourage
them to actively engage in politics, and advocate for improving women’s rights
and gender equality in the practice.
women in decision making as important allies in working on improving women’s
human rights in practice, and we continuously work with women parliamentarians
to advocate together for improving protection of women’s human rights in the
practice. We were part of the countrywide coalition of women’s NGOs that
successfully advocated for introducing women’s quota in the Election Law of
Bosnia and Herzegovina, and support women’s participation in the election
process through public advocacy during pre-election campaigns, emphasizing
importance of women’s representation in political decision making regardless of
political option. In 2010, we initiated the Program Platform of cooperation of
women NGO activists and women parliamentarians at state, entity, and Brcko
District level, within which we defined common advocacy priorities, and discuss
concrete actions to advocate for better implementation of laws and policies in
this field. United Women also continuously work with women in political
parties, to raise their capacities to engage in political life, advocacy and
media communication skills, and also focus on young women politicians, to encourage
them to actively engage in politics, and advocate for improving women’s rights
and gender equality in the practice.
Do you cooperate with local
authorities and institutions? If yes, how?
We do cooperate with local
authorities and institutions through joint agreements, memorandums of
understandings, teams for assistance and support to women and children victims
of domestic violence. United Women Banja Luka lobbied for Domestic Violence Law
in Republika Srpska to recognize obligation of planning and allocating financial
support for the safe houses from the public budgets, so City Administration
Banja Luka contributes following this legal obligation, and resources are also
partially allocated through the public budget of Republika Srpska. This is important,
as we believe that violence against women and children is the public issue, and
that authorities at all level in BiH have to take responsibility for assisting
women and children that are predominantly affected by domestic violence. United
Women Banja Luka also contributes as a member of the multi-disciplinary working
groups on developing legislative framework for gender equality and women’s
human rights.
authorities and institutions through joint agreements, memorandums of
understandings, teams for assistance and support to women and children victims
of domestic violence. United Women Banja Luka lobbied for Domestic Violence Law
in Republika Srpska to recognize obligation of planning and allocating financial
support for the safe houses from the public budgets, so City Administration
Banja Luka contributes following this legal obligation, and resources are also
partially allocated through the public budget of Republika Srpska. This is important,
as we believe that violence against women and children is the public issue, and
that authorities at all level in BiH have to take responsibility for assisting
women and children that are predominantly affected by domestic violence. United
Women Banja Luka also contributes as a member of the multi-disciplinary working
groups on developing legislative framework for gender equality and women’s
human rights.
[1]The complete study can be found
at this direct link. http://arsbih.gov.ba/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/studija_prevalenca.pdf
Unfortunately, it is not translated into English, but it has English Summary
included.
at this direct link. http://arsbih.gov.ba/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/studija_prevalenca.pdf
Unfortunately, it is not translated into English, but it has English Summary
included.
