Sweden and UN Women continue working together towards advancing gender equality and empowerment of women in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Date:
(Sarajevo, 14 June) With its Strategic Note for 2019-2022, UN Women in Bosnia and Herzegovina will continue to support government and civil society organizations’ work on gender equality and empowerment of women in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Thanks to additional support from Sweden/Sida to UN Women in the amount of 25 Million SEK (approximately 2,7 Million USD), government and civil society organizations in BiH will further advance their work on eliminating violence against women, improving the position of women in the society and in work related to governance structures. Funds will also be used for increased participation of women in the economic sector.
Marie Bergström, Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden in BiH, pointed out that Sweden is globally the biggest financial partner to UN Women.
"We are delighted to support the UN Women Strategic Note here in Bosnia and Herzegovina along with our support to other gender institutions in BiH. Moving away from project support to a strategic, wide-ranging, flexible and equal partnership is a major opportunity to support more women and girls in BiH - and to ensure that men and boys support their empowerment", said Marie Bergström.
Director for UN Women Europe and Central Asia Regional Office, Alia El-Yassir thanked Sweden for their continued support to UN Women.
"Gender equality is the key to a thriving society and economy, we need to ensure that all women and men can play an active role and contribute to decision making in the economy, in society and in politics. Sweden is a prominent leader in promoting gender equality and actively encouraging the empowerment of women and equality of men and women, boys and girls. UN Women is proud to have a wide ranging, sustained partnership with Sweden, we will be sure to meet Sweden’s confidence in our support for equality" - she pointed out.
Within the given period UN Women will engage governmental and non-governmental partners to simultaneously work towards promoting participation of women in the governance structure, and to include gender perspective in EU integration processes and budgeting and resource allocation. The support will also be directed to enhancing prevention and protection from violence against women and domestic violence by localizing the standards defined by the Istanbul Convention. In addition, funds will be allocated for initiatives aimed at increasing economic participation of women across Bosnia and Herzegovina.