Local Self-governments Can Make a Significant Contribution to Preventing Domestic Violence and Violence Against Women
On November 6, the conference “Gender-Responsible Local Governments: Local Approaches and Development Strategies in Service of Preventing Domestic Violence and Violence Against Women.” took place in Jahorina, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The event highlighted the vital role local self-governments play in addressing domestic violence and violence against women, fostering collaboration and innovative solutions at the municipal level.
Jointly organized by the Association of Municipalities and Cities of Republika Srpska (AMC RS), the Association of Municipalities and Cities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AMC FBiH), and SALAR, the conference served as a platform to raise awareness about gender-responsive governance. Participants shared experiences, best practices, and success stories from local gender action plans and development strategies, emphasizing the importance of tackling these pressing social issues together. The thematic focus of the conference was proposed by the members of the Network for Gender Equality by AMC RS and AMC FBiH.
Representatives from the municipalities and the gender network of AMC RS and AMC FBiH
Violence Against Women and Gender Inequality: A National Concern
Violence against women and gender inequality in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) remain urgent problems that affect the basic rights, safety, and dignity of countless women. These issues perpetuate cycles of discrimination, hinder social and economic progress, and place significant strain on the country’s legal and social systems. Addressing gender-based violence is essential to creating a society where women can live free from fear, fully participate in their communities, and have equal access to opportunities. This is not just a matter of human rights—it is a fundamental step toward a more just, equitable, and prosperous future for all citizens of BiH.
Municipalities of the Gender Network Shared Successful Examples
Despite the recognition of local governments in laws and strategies for gender equality and domestic violence prevention, participants agreed there is always room for improvement. Representatives from four municipalities in Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina shared how they are addressing these challenges locally.
The municipality of Tuzla signed its first Gender Action Plan in 2013 and has worked closely with non-governmental organizations to prevent violence and protect victims. They started from "their backyard", so they arranged gender equality first in city services.
There are 13 women in leading positions, which means a lot for a society like BiH, that women are in positions where they can make decisions, and that is very, very important. We finance numerous projects concerning gender equality, prevention of violence against women, and economic empowerment of women," said Asja Redžić, Assistant Mayor for the Department of Culture, Sports, Youth, and Social Protection.
The Municipality of Tešanj has recently worked intensively on a new local Gender Action Plan, with one of its priority activities being the continued prevention of and response to violence. According to Hasan Plančić from the Municipality of Tešanj, the rate of reported domestic violence and violence against women in the municipality has shown a slight decline.
Overall, we have made significant progress, and over the past two years, the number of domestic violence cases has either stagnated or slightly decreased. This may not solely be the result of our efforts, but it has certainly had a considerable impact," said Plančić.
Similarly, the Municipality of Višegrad has adopted a Cooperation Plan involving the municipality's multi-sectoral team and local media, aimed at ensuring responsible reporting on violence against women and domestic violence. Jelena Savović Todorović from the municipality emphasizes their intent to partner with journalists and provide them with the support needed to report accurately and sensitively on violence and its victims.
The goal of adopting this document is to use journalistic reporting to draw attention to this significant societal problem. Above all, we want to highlight that this is a societal issue, not just an individual problem within a family," she stated.
International Insights: Swedish Perspectives on Gender Equality
The conference also included examples from Sweden, presented by Josefin Hagström, Gender Strategist in Jönköping Municipality. In a session moderated by Selma Zulić Šiljak, Hagström shared insights into Sweden’s gender-sensitive communities, the application of the European Charter for Gender Equality at the local level, and inter-municipal cooperation through the SALAR Gender Equality Network.
As advocates for gender equality, it is our purpose to normalize reactions to gender inequality and visualize unmotivated differences in order to drive change for a more gender-equal society. It takes courage, knowledge, and a collective effort to take meaningful steps forward. I am deeply impressed by how far the work has progressed in Bosnia & Herzegovina, and I wholeheartedly acknowledge the importance of the gender equality network and the invaluable support it brings to a municipality” she said.
A Call to Action
This conference underscored the critical need for action at all levels of government to combat violence against women and promote gender equality. Local self-governments have a unique opportunity to make a difference by implementing gender-responsive policies and supporting community initiatives.
This activity is part of the project “Strengthening the Associations of Municipalities and Cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” implemented by the Association of Municipalities and Cities of the Federation of BiH and the Association of Municipalities and Cities of Republika Srpska in cooperation with SALAR. The project is funded by the governments of Sweden and Switzerland.