Bosnia & Herzegovina
Bosnia & Herzegovina
During the years of the Bosnian War (1992-1995), women in Bosnia were subjected to systematic sexual violence and the genocide of their families— the impacts of which are still felt daily in the young country. Despite facing continuing marginalization, exacerbated by factors like high unemployment and low levels of education, women in Bosnia have come to occupy an important place in the post-conflict peace and reconciliation processes.
Many women in Bosnia have decided to seek justice for the estimated 20,000 women that were systematically raped during the conflict (Foreign Policy in Focus, 2012) rather than harbor anger and revenge, including taking steps to establish specialized tribunals for women to process violations against them during the war. More needs to be done, however, for women to become full and equal members of Bosnian society.
Based on the work of NGOWG members and their partners, the NGOWG advocates for the inclusion of all elements of the Women, Peace and Security agenda into the mandates for SFOR and EUFOR ALTHEA, the NATO, and EU missions currently in Bosnia.
Current and Past Recommendations to the UN Security Council (Monthly Action Points)
Bosnia and Herzegovina (May 2014)
The Council is expected to discuss the reports of the High Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and EUFOR/NATO. Political obstacles and lack of resources continue to impede the process of investigating and prosecuting crimes under international law, including crimes of sexual violence. The Security Council should call on the High Representative to mainstream gender throughout all areas of work. The Council should call on the EU Special Representative to incorporate a gender perspective in regards to the training and capacity building within the EU mission. Further, the Security Council should call on BiH to: take concrete steps to ensure services are accessible to survivors of sexual violence; provide financial and other practical measures to NGOs and public institutions that can deliver support to survivors; and ensure adoption and full implementation of the Programme for Victims of Wartime Rape, Sexual Abuse and Torture, and their Families in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2013-2016; and ensure state-level discussions are aimed at adopting the draft Law on the Rights of Victims of Torture and Civilian Victims of War and the draft Strategy for Transitional Justice. Finally, Security Council members should encourage BiH to adopt and implement the newly drafted SCR 1325 NAP for 2014 – 2017.
Relevant Resources
