Bosnia and Herzegovina is on a transformative path when it comes to gender equality.
In a country with a turbulent history, creating policies that ensure equal rights and opportunities for all has become a priority. With obligations stemming from domestic and international conventions, it is clear that changes are not only desirable but necessary. At the forefront of this movement is the PRONI Center for Youth Development, which, with dedicated support from the regional SMART Balkan project and supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been working on implementing the Gender Action Plan of the District of Brčko BiH.
Through this project, Bosnia and Herzegovina is moving towards a society where men and women are equal, and these changes are being felt at all levels of society. In this interview with Adina Halilović, project manager at PRONI Center for Youth Development, we discussed the inception of the Gender Action Plan, the challenges and successes that have marked this journey so far, and what lies ahead in terms of gender equality in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Adina guides us through the development, implementation, and transformation that local communities are undergoing, opening new chapters in the fight for equality.
Could you tell us how the idea for this project came about and the initial goals?
“Our starting point for this project was Bosnia and Herzegovina’s obligations to develop a Gender Action Plan arising from domestic documents and international commitments the country has ratified concerning gender equality. State-level obligations automatically extend to lower levels of government. The goals of this project focus on raising awareness and promoting gender equality, as well as laws and policies in this area. Additionally, the goals include identifying and addressing gender-based barriers and obstacles in various sectors, all aimed at enhancing gender equality for men and women in the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina, following the model of the European Charter for Gender Equality Policies,” emphasized Adina at the beginning of our conversation.
In just the first year of the project, a significant achievement has already been made – implementing and finalizing a Gender Situation Analysis that has opened eyes to the real conditions on the ground. This analysis provided crucial insights and laid the groundwork for further steps and strategies.
As for specific changes noticed through the implementation of this project, we continue our discussion below.
“The project served as a platform that enabled active citizen participation through various segments. We endeavored to ensure that citizens, representatives of civil society organizations, government institutions, and the private sector had the opportunity to participate and contribute proposals at every stage of the document development process. One of the significant outcomes was the drafting and submitting a new proposal for the Gender Action Plan to relevant institutions, which represents an important step towards establishing sustainable gender equality policies,” stated Adina.
What were the major obstacles during the project implementation and how did you overcome them?
“Given that gender equality is not legally within the jurisdiction of any government department, the biggest challenge is establishing cooperation on this issue. One of the key recommendations of the new Gender Action Plan we are working on is to initiate the establishment of a quality institutional mechanism for equality. Creating a strategically important document involving various community stakeholders requires at least a year. Considering the time needed to adopt the document and allow consultations for specific amendments, it is logical to initiate the process while the old document is still in effect. This ensures continuous protection for the target group for whom the document is intended. Unfortunately, we still do not have such a proactive approach to creating strategic documents in most parts of the country. It is a significant challenge to devise solutions when we lack a systematic and responsible approach. However, an open approach and flexibility in implementation allowed us to overcome challenges and establish cooperation with various levels of government to carry out activities.”
How do you assess the future of gender equality policies in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
“The future of gender equality policies in Bosnia and Herzegovina depends on several key factors, including political will, full implementation and improvement of existing institutional mechanisms, and active participation of civil society and international organizations in education and prevention. Intersectoral cooperation and an open approach are the only ways to bring about change. Civil society organizations on the ground need continuous support to respond to the needs of their target groups. At the same time, government institutions must accept that strategic documents must be included in the budget to ensure effective implementation, enabling joint monitoring. If there is synergy among political, institutional, social, and international factors, BiH can make significant progress in gender equality. It is crucial for all stakeholders to unite to ensure consistent law enforcement, raise awareness of the importance of gender equality, and enhance institutional capacities to address these issues. Through joint effort and coordination, BiH can achieve lasting and significant changes in gender equality,” emphasized Halilović.
“Gender equality is not just a matter of basic human rights but also a question of social and economic progress. We have a responsibility and role in creating a society where women and men are equal in all aspects of life. Develop and strengthen cooperation with different sectors, including governmental institutions, non-governmental organizations, international partners, and local communities. Be flexible in project implementation, as this allows for more efficient response to community needs. Together and determined, we can achieve lasting and significant changes that will improve the quality of life for all citizens. Let’s support each other, work together, and continue to fight for a society where gender equality is unquestionable and present in all spheres of life,” the PRONI Center for Youth Development concludes.
The Gender Situation Analysis is available at this link.
