Persistent gaps in implementation continue to hinder efforts to prevent gender-based and domestic violence in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, despite important progress in strengthening the legal framework, according to findings presented today during a thematic session of the House of Representatives Committee for Gender Equality of the Parliament of the Federation of BiH, dedicated to the Follow-up Performance Audit Report: "Gender Equality and Prevention of Violence against Women".
The session, supported by the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission) and UN Women in Bosnia and Herzegovina, brought together members of parliamentary committees, representatives of the Office of the Auditor of the Institution of the Federation of BiH, cantonal gender equality bodies, representatives of the Gender Centre of the Federation of BiH, relevant ministries and institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners to discuss progress in the implementation of existing policies and measures.
"The domestic legal framework is strengthened and largely harmonised with relevant international standards. At the same time, progress in frameworks must be matched by consistency in implementation. Efforts across different levels of government are not always uniform, and planning, budgeting and co-ordination remain areas requiring continued attention. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these measures is reflected in the ability of institutions to provide timely protection and support to those at risk of violence," said Maja Handjiska Trendafilova, Chief of Policy and Planning Section at the Mission.
The need to ensure that policies are not only adopted but also consistently implemented, adequately funded, and effectively monitored was emphasized.
The session concluded with recommendations for continued strengthening institutional gender equality mechanism; developing, adopting, funding and implementing local gender equality policies and action plan for combating violence against women, as well as further improve systems for preventing and responding to all forms of violence.
The Mission reaffirmed its commitment to supporting institutions in the Federation of BiH in strengthening accountability, the rule of law, and the protection of citizens, noting that violence against women reflects both a human rights and institutional effectiveness challenge. It further emphasized that effective prevention of and response to violence against women contributes to stronger public trust in institutions, enhances community safety, and supports the development of more resilient and inclusive societies, which are essential foundations for lasting peace and security.
