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Women in Bosnia and Herzegovina gain economic empowerment through gender-sensitive credit solutions and climate-resilient agriculture
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    Summary of country programme

    UN Women’s Bosnia and Herzegovina Strategic Note 2021–2025 advances gender equality and women's empowerment through activities concentrated in regions including Sarajevo and Banja Luka.

    The programme prioritizes women's economic empowerment, ending violence against women and girls, and gender-responsive governance. Key approaches comprise implementing gender-responsive policies and community-based interventions. Among other goals, the programme seeks to create gender-responsive workplaces and improve women's representation in leadership roles.

    Collaboration with local and international organizations, including government bodies, civil society organizations and UN entities, is crucial for achieving significant outcomes. Strategic Note direct funding supports initiatives to improve women's access to justice, economic opportunities and political participation, driving impactful change. 

    Planned Budget (Total) Other resources (non-core)
    Country Indexes

    UN Women in action: Strategic insights and achievements

    View annual report narratives for the year

    Advancing SDGs: UN Women's impact and key achievements
    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]
    Advancing SDGs: UN Women's impact and key achievements
    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.

    Results and resources

    Outcomes (aligned with interagency frameworks)
    BIH_D_1.1

    By 2025, people contribute to, and benefit from more accountable and transparent governance systems that deliver quality public services, and ensure rule of law

    BIH_D_1.1.2

    Relevant institutions in BiH have increased capacities which ensures that gender-responsive policy making, budgeting and integration of EU gender equality and women’s empowerment commitments are implemented across sectors.

    BIH_D_1.1.2

    Relevant institutions in BiH have increased capacities which ensure that gender-responsive policymaking, budgeting and integration of EU gender equality and women's empowerment commitments are implemented across sectors

    BIH_D_1.1.4

    Selected government and political institutions in BiH have increased capacities to ensure the necessary regulatory and procedural preconditions for increased political participation of women.

    BIH_D_1.1.4

    Selected government and political institutions in BiH have increased capacities to ensure the necessary regulatory and procedural preconditions for increased political participation of women

    BIH_D_1.1.4

    Strengthened enabling environment for women and girls to develop as leaders, participate equally in decision-making and lead on gender transformative development

    BIH_D_1.1.5

    Government institutions and selected CSOs have increased capacities to implement BiH GAP, AP on implementation of UNSCR 1325 and CEDAW Concluding recommendations.

    BIH_D_1.1.5

    Government institutions and selected CSOs have increased capacities and strengthened collaboration to implement and monitor implementation of international and national normative commitments

    BIH_D_1.1.6

    Government and CSOs strengthen multi-stakeholder dialogues.

    BIH_D_1.1.6

    UN Women effectively leads, coordinates and promotes accountability for the implementation of GEWE commitments

    BIH_D_1.1.7

    Strengthened capacities and accountability of institutions to ensure that gender-responsive planning, policy making and budgeting are implemented across sectors and in line with international gender equality commitments and EU gender equality acquis

    BIH_D_2.1

    By 2025, people benefit from resilient, inclusive and sustainable growth ensured by the convergence of economic development and management of environment and cultural resources

    BIH_D_2.1.1

    Governments have improved capacities to promote employment policies that enhance women's access to decent work and promote income security

    BIH_D_2.1.1

    Relevant stakeholders (Government, private sector, CSO, academia) have improved capacities to strengthen regulatory framework and policies on women’s economic empowerment and promote employment policies that enhance women's access to decent work and promote income security

    BIH_D_2.1.2

    Women owned businesses and women entrepreneurs have strengthened capacities and resilience

    BIH_D_2.1.3

    Women and girls benefit from employment opportunities and education/exchange programs in tech-driven industries

    BIH_D_2.1.5

    Key stakeholders are capacitated to drive improved gender responsive climate adaptation and mitigation

    BIH_D_3.3

    By 2025, people have access to better quality and inclusive health and social protection systems

    BIH_D_3.3.1

    Legislators and institutions have capacities to incorporate the highest level of international standards on EVAW in legislation, policies and budgets

    BIH_D_3.3.1

    Legislation, policies, and capacities are in place for gender-responsive and evidence-based policymaking and budgeting to ensure effective response and accountability for EVAWG

    BIH_D_3.3.2

    Women, girls, men and boys at community and individual level able to mobilize actors, resources and capacities to create an environment for zero tolerance to violence

    BIH_D_3.3.2

    Gender and social norms, attitudes are transformed to prevent VAWG

    BIH_D_3.3.3

    General and specialist service providers have the capacity to deliver quality, accessible and survivor-centered services

    BIH_D_3.3.3

    Services and systems effectively respond to the cases of GBV, protect and support survivors

    BIH_D_3.3.4

    An enabling legislative and policy environment in line with international standards on eliminating violence against women and other forms of discrimination created

    BIH_D_3.3.5

    Women, girls, men and boys at community and individual level have a better understanding and acceptance of gender equality

    BIH_D_3.3.6

    Women and girls (including those from disadvantaged groups) who have experienced discrimination or violence are empowered to advocate for and use available, accessible and quality services

    BIH_D_4.1

    By 2025, there is stronger mutual understanding, respect and trust among individuals and communities

    BIH_D_4.1.1

    Institutions’ capacities to adopt and implement quality accountability frameworks for WPS, and to implement WPS commitments are strengthened

    BIH_D_4.1.1

    The WPS agenda is advanced through coherent implementation and the national and local level shaped by women's participation and leadership

    BIH_D_4.1.2

    The WPS agenda is localized in BiH, through strengthened leadership of women peacebuilders, human rights advocates and women’s organizations, enabling the identification of and response to key human security concerns, including threats of violence, tension and division; and the need for reconciliation and trust-building

    BIH_D_4.1.2

    Country-wide dialogue and transformation of narratives on WPS is expanded to amplify the role of women in sustaining peace and social cohesion

    BIH_D_4.1.3

    Equality and social cohesion are promoted through accountability for hate speech and engaging societal actors in positive narratives

    Organizational effectiveness and efficiency
    BIH_O_1

    Enhanced coordination, coherence and accountability of the UN system for commitments to gender equality and women’s empowerment

    BIH_O_2

    Increased engagement of partners in support of UN Women's mandate

    BIH_O_3

    High quality of programme through knowledge, innovation, results-based management and evaluation

    BIH_O_4

    Improved management of financial and human resources in pursuit of results

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    Outcome Result statement IATI identifier
    OutcomeBIH_D_1.1
    Outcome result statementThe strategic approach taken promotes the participation of women in governance structures and ensures a keen gender perspective in policy making and in processes related to EU integration, budgeting and resource allocation. Also, in embedding SDG commitments in budgets and enabling targeted planning and monitoring for SDG financing. UN Women will continue to address structural obstacles to women’s participation and promote gender sensitive actions and cooperation among the key actors with ability to address them, support close partnership between the gender institutional mechanisms and Directorate of European Integration and other institutions leading EU integration efforts at entity level to ensure the inclusion of a gender perspective and gender sensitive targeting in strategic priorities and allocation of IPA resources, and partner with Ministries of Finance and line ministries for integration of Gender Responsive Budgeting as a tool at all levels of planning and policy-making .
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-BIH_D_1.1
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    OutcomeBIH_D_2.1
    Outcome result statementUNW utilizes two-pronged approach of influencing the major players and implementing targeted interventions aimed at influencing policies relevant for economic empowerment of women. Given the development challenge in this area, appropriate reach will be secured through partnership with “big players” in the economic reform, with a view of engendering their support to government and investment programmes. UNW will work to improve the effectiveness of existing policies through policy coherence between programmes for GE and employment promotion. At institutional level, UNW aims to achieve effective targeting and inclusion of women in existing labour market measures and programmes based on the action-oriented research of the existing measures. UNW will support the development and resilience of women owned business and women entrepreneurs and improve socio-economic position of rural women and their cooperatives. We shall continue seeking to ensure ICT/STEM is available and accessible to girl
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-BIH_D_2.1
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    OutcomeBIH_D_3.3
    Outcome result statementWork will focus on scaling and further enhancing quality of policy, protection, and prevention efforts based on Istanbul Convention standards. At policy level efforts will focus on supporting the governments to harmonize their legal and policy framework with the Istanbul Convention, work will be; a) experience and good practices in responding to and preventing VAW and DV identified in previous work, b) ensuring localized minimum standards for service provision. To strengthen protection systems, focus will be on enhancing access to multi-sectoral and a survivor-centered protection system with resources that meet the needs of victims and survivors. There are two primary focuses: a) monitoring and mentoring, to support the work on coordinated response in local communities, b) standardization of the quality of response by first responders, ensuring that quality assurance and monitoring mechanisms related to service provision to survivors are introduced and applied in at least 1 sector.
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-BIH_D_3.3
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    OutcomeBIH_D_4.1
    Outcome result statement
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-BIH_D_4.1
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    Expenses
    Outcome Result statement IATI identifier
    OutcomeBIH_O_1
    Outcome result statementEnhanced coordination, coherence and accountability of the UN system for commitments to gender equality and women’s empowerment
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-BIH_O_1
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    OutcomeBIH_O_2
    Outcome result statementIncreased engagement of partners in support of UN Women's mandate
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-BIH_O_2
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    OutcomeBIH_O_3
    Outcome result statementHigh quality of programme through knowledge, innovation, results-based management and evaluation
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-BIH_O_3
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    OutcomeBIH_O_4
    Outcome result statementImproved management of financial and human resources in pursuit of results
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-BIH_O_4
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    Resources allocated towards SDGs

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    Our funding partners contributions

    Regular resources (core)

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    $53.00 K in total
    Other resources (non-core)
    $6.48 M in total
    Regular resources (core)

    Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.

    $53.00 K in total
    2023 2022 2021
    United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) --
    2023
    No data available
    		--
    2022
    No data available
    		$53,000
    2021
    United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
    Total contribution:$53,000
    Development:$53,000(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    2021
    United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)$53,000
    Total contribution$53,000
    Development$53,000(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Other resources (non-core)

    Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.

    $6.48 M in total
    2023 2022 2021
    European Commission $609,095
    2023
    European CommissionOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$609,095
    Development:$609,095(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    		 $609,095
    2022
    European CommissionOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$609,095
    Development:$609,095(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    		 $460,609
    2021
    European CommissionOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$460,609
    Development:$460,609(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    Sweden $1,380,929
    2023
    SwedenOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$1,380,929
    Development:$1,380,929(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    		 $1,380,929
    2022
    SwedenOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$1,380,929
    Development:$1,380,929(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    		 $886,346
    2021
    SwedenOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$886,346
    Development:$886,346(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    United Kingdom $252,704
    2023
    United KingdomOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$252,704
    Development:$252,704(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    		 $252,704
    2022
    United KingdomOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$252,704
    Development:$252,704(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    		 $149,924
    2021
    United KingdomOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$149,924
    Development:$149,924(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) --
    2023
    No data available
    		--
    2022
    No data available
    		$92,965
    2021
    United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)United Nations organization
    Total contribution:$92,965
    Development:$92,965(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) $17,380
    2023
    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)United Nations organization
    Total contribution:$17,380
    Development:$17,380(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    		 $17,380
    2022
    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)United Nations organization
    Total contribution:$17,380
    Development:$17,380(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    		 $150,125
    2021
    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)United Nations organization
    Total contribution:$150,125
    Development:$150,125(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office $97,712
    2023
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund OfficeUnited Nations pooled fund
    Total contribution:$97,712
    Development:$97,712(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    		 $97,712
    2022
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund OfficeUnited Nations pooled fund
    Total contribution:$97,712
    Development:$97,712(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    		 $25,054
    2021
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund OfficeUnited Nations pooled fund
    Total contribution:$25,054
    Development:$25,054(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    2023
    European Commission$609,095
    Total contribution$609,095
    Development$609,095(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Sweden$1,380,929
    Total contribution$1,380,929
    Development$1,380,929(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Kingdom$252,704
    Total contribution$252,704
    Development$252,704(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)$17,380
    Total contribution$17,380
    Development$17,380(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office$97,712
    Total contribution$97,712
    Development$97,712(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    2022
    European Commission$609,095
    Total contribution$609,095
    Development$609,095(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Sweden$1,380,929
    Total contribution$1,380,929
    Development$1,380,929(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Kingdom$252,704
    Total contribution$252,704
    Development$252,704(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)$17,380
    Total contribution$17,380
    Development$17,380(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office$97,712
    Total contribution$97,712
    Development$97,712(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    2021
    European Commission$460,609
    Total contribution$460,609
    Development$460,609(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Sweden$886,346
    Total contribution$886,346
    Development$886,346(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Kingdom$149,924
    Total contribution$149,924
    Development$149,924(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)$92,965
    Total contribution$92,965
    Development$92,965(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)$150,125
    Total contribution$150,125
    Development$150,125(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office$25,054
    Total contribution$25,054
    Development$25,054(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
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    Strategic plan contributions

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    Results stories

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    Women in Bosnia and Herzegovina gain economic empowerment through gender-sensitive credit solutions and climate-resilient agriculture

    10 June 2024
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