Bosnia Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina -- 1st Place United Nations Public Service Awards
Initiative: Public participation in peace processes
Institution: Ministry of Security


This initiative sought to integrate gender in the armed forces, police, judiciary, and penal institutions in Brčko District with the goal of including the voices of local women in the design of security services and improving the provision of security services to women. The initiative embarked on implementation of national legislation and international instruments to ensure inclusion of women's civil society organizations in decision-making on security service delivery.

Gender equality was included in the curriculum for peacekeeping training and new practices were conducted to create equal employment opportunities for women in missions. A policy of 30% 17 representation of women in new recruitment, and a policy that two deputy ministers must be women were passed. In the police, two women were promoted to the rank of independent inspector, a position previously not held by a woman. Additionally, a woman was appointed to the position of president of the National Security Council. The Border Police now systematically cooperate with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on preventing and addressing human trafficking.

The community security forum in Prijedor and free legal aid for women in Zenica facilitated inclusive local consultations on local security issues. Community service organizations also developed multidisciplinary teams for the prevention of, and protection from, gender-based violence (GBV) in local communities, as well as several programs working with perpetrators of violence.

• Category

  Nonprofits & Activism