Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina achieved an important outcome in advancing women�s political participation, directly addressing Sustainable Development Goal 5. and target 5.5 (Ensure women�s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life). Through UN Women�s work on political participation, over 170 women enhanced capacities to lead an electoral campaign and to craft political messaging, positively impacting the results of the 2024 local elections, during which women�s representation increased from 19.64% to 22.76%[1]. This initiative, funded by UN Women�s �Women in Politics Fund�, provided a comprehensive training based on the leadership and candidate curriculum for over 170 women invested in politics[2]. Out of 71 trainees who conducted a post-election survey, 42 ran for mandates and 14 were elected, 13 as councilors and 1 as mayor. Furthermore, 11 women from minority groups, including 3 representing sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIEC) groups, and 33 young women aspirants and candidates participated in the candidate trainings. Their inclusion aimed to address the unique challenges they face and foster their greater involvement in political processes for a more inclusive political landscape. Pre- and post-surveys conducted showed there was a significant improvement in participants� confidence and knowledge.[3]. Women�s self-assessment of their skills and confidence in running a campaign increased, with the rate of women rating their skills �good� or �excellent� going from 45.6% to 62.4%, while confidence increased from 56.7% to 69.8%. Of the women who ran for elections following the training, 53.7% stated that the training significantly contributed to their experience as a candidate; 65.9% stated that the training contributed to the creation of their political message and campaigning. 48.9% of women said it moderately contributed to their election results, while 19.5% indicated it contributed significantly. An orientation session, organized for elected women with support from the European Union (EU) in BiH, the Agency for Gender Equality of BiH and the Central Electoral Commission, increased their capacities on local mandates and gender equality[1]

Women and girls feel much safer in public places in Banja Luka due to the implementation of the Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces programme, which contributes towards the achievement of the SDGs (SDG 5.2.1 and 5.2.2). The Republika Srpska (RS) Entity amended its Criminal Code, aligning the criminal offense of Sexual Harassment with the standards of the Istanbul Convention. The amendments also refer to the expanded definition of forms of sexual harassment, acknowledging the use of modern technologies as an aggravating circumstance and make the key changes related to the position of the injured party. The amendments address structural barriers by instituting an obligation to proactively address cases, independent of a victim's request. The redefinition of the crime to recognize any individual as a victim, regardless of their position relative to the perpetrator, enhances protection for women and girls. Collectively, these measures eliminate obstacles stemming from societal and institutional imbalances, significantly contributing to a more inclusive and secure environment. Eight public institutions, including the Banja Luka City administration, adopted internal documents, establishing protection against sexual harassment in the workplace, covering over 2,400 public employees. Duty bearers, including 181 representatives from the police, judiciary, healthcare institutions, social services, and educational institutions, have increased their capacities to keep women safe in public places and facilitate their access to justice or services when experiencing violence. These representatives have improved their knowledge of sexual harassment and adopted a more sensitive approach to victims. Additionally, 21 service providers in Banja Luka have strengthened their capacities, enhancing knowledge, skills, and resources relevant to service delivery within the area covered by the District Public Prosecutor's Office. Furthermore, 34 employees of the Ministry of the Interior increased their capacity to recognize sexual harassment through two workshops for staff. As a result of this support, the Banja Luka Police Department recorded an increased number of reports of sexual violence. In 2022, there were 26 cases of sexual integrity offenses and 60 reported criminal offenses related to the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. In the first eight months of 2023, a significant increase was observed, with nine rape cases recorded, compared to four cases reported in the same period of the preceding year. UN Women enabled these results through expert support and targeted collaboration with specialized CSOs. The collaborative effort with the United Women Foundation in Banja Luka resulted in tangible positive changes within legal frameworks, ultimately elevating the level of protection afforded to women and girls in BiH and contributed towards advancement of the UNSDCF result to ensure access to better quality and inclusive health and social protection systems.