Ajna Jusić: A voice and force of the Forgotten Children of War in Bosnia and Herzegovina
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When Ajna Jusić was a teenager, she uncovered a painful truth about her origins, which set her on a path of advocacy for the children and women affected by war in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and beyond.
Now 31, Jusić is a prominent human rights activist and psychologist living in Sarajevo. As the president of the Forgotten Children of War Association (FCW), she leads the fight to secure acknowledgment and improve the legal status of children born of rape during the war in BiH.
Under her leadership, FCW strives to eradicate domestic and violence against women in BiH and put a stop to the use of rape as a tool of war worldwide.
Lifting the burden of silence
The war in BiH ended in 1995, leaving up to 50,000 survivors of sexual violence, primarily women, according to the UN. The number of children born of rape remains unknown.
Ajna was 15 when she found out she was one of them.
Raised in the countryside by her protective mother and stepfather, Jusić felt different. She didn’t know who her biological father was, and her family would face verbal harassment, which often got her into fights. Haunted by her father’s unknown identity - a detail missing from her medical and other records - Jusić searched for answers, only to discover documents revealing details of sexual violence her mother survived during the war.
At the Roman Bridge in Ilidža, Jusić finds solace in nature, reflecting on her journey and drawing strength for her advocacy work, away from the bustling streets of Sarajevo. Photo: UN Women/Danijel Rakić
“I was confused. I didn't know what rape was. I didn't understand the concept of it,” Jusić recalls.
Initially, she remained quiet but eventually decided to speak out. "The biggest freedom that I felt in my life was when I openly talked with my family about that," she says.
Jusić feared that she was a reminder of her mother’s trauma, while her mother worried that Jusić would be ashamed and reject her. But the conversation brought love and acceptance. Years of psychological support followed, helping her heal and build resilience.
The fierce advocate for Forgotten Children of War
Jusić always wanted to meet other children like her. In 2015, she participated in a research project on children born out of war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, conducted by Dr. Amra Delić, a neuropsychiatrist. The Forgotten Children of War Association was born from there, gathering 33 members.
"Meeting Dr. Delić was really important because I realized I'm not special - this is a problem all around the country. It gave me hope, my activist drive, and belief that change is possible," Ajna reflects.
Children born of war were not recognized as civilian victims under BiH law and lacked access to benefits such as scholarships, housing, and psychological support. Under Jusić’s guidance, FCW has fought to change this by sharing their stories, breaking the cycle of prejudice and shame, and pushing for legal reforms.
“I learned that if we have 20,000 to 50,000 survivors of rape, we also have at least 20,000 rapists around us. That’s when for me, this fight became kind of different,” she says.
After her first interview in 2018, Jusić became the face of the movement. On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls in 2019, she delivered a speech at the UN, bringing global attention to their cause.
Since then, the FCW has grown into a multifaceted organization that provides psychological support, organizes public awareness campaigns, and holds over 100 workshops and presentations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and abroad. Its educational programs have reached approximately 150 young people directly and hundreds more through partnerships with feminist, youth, and human rights groups in the region and beyond.
“We don't give solutions and strategies; we aim to shift perspectives of us as victims and show how sexual violence affects everyone. Educating society was the only way for us to get legal status,” Jusić explains.
We don't give solutions and strategies; we aim to shift perspectives of us as victims and show how sexual violence affects everyone. Educating society was the only way for us to get legal status.” – Ajna Jusić
Legal recognition - the fight that goes on
Ajna’s efforts led to a landmark victory in 2023 when the Federation of BiH adopted the Law on the Protection of Civilian Victims of War. For the first time, children born of war were recognized as a special social category.
“The law grants rights to health insurance, housing, support in education, requalification, priority employment, free legal and psychological assistance. But challenges remain in harmonizing regulations and implementing the law,” Jusić notes.
In 2022, her team advocated for similar legislation in Brčko District, a separate administrative unit in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Earlier, in 2021, FCW’s advocacy led to changes in several municipalities in BiH, allowing "the name of one parent" in official documents, replacing the mandatory "father's name". This amendment protects the rape survivors’ privacy and reduces discrimination against children born of war.
Through her fight for justice, unwavering support for survivors of wartime rape and children of war, and tireless work to secure legal recognition and rights for those affected by conflict-based sexual trauma, Ajna Jusić’s work directly addresses the “Peace and Security” area of the Beijing+30 Action Agenda, a voluntary, action-oriented platform to accelerate the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the 2030 Agenda.
In 2024, among many recognitions for her achievements, Jusić was honored at the International Women of Courage (IWOC) Awards ceremony at the White House by Dr. Jill Biden, U.S. First Lady and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Art and culture as agents of change
The FCW association also employs art as a tool for change, creating spaces for understanding, healing, and rebuilding lives shattered by war.
In the documentary-dance-theater play “In the Name of the Father,” a joint Austrian-BiH production that premiered in Tuzla in 2019, members of the FCW shared their experiences, as well as children whose fathers were members of peace missions and humanitarian organizations during the war.
“The best place for dialogue is art and culture. Art is proof that someone existed in the world and a space in which patriarchy cannot win. It's a way to get different perspectives. For our members gathered in one room, this was the opportunity to feel the emotions of the society and our mothers,” Ajna says.
At the Roman Bridge in Ilidža, Jusić finds solace in nature, reflecting on her journey and drawing strength for her advocacy work, away from the bustling streets of Sarajevo. Photo: UN Women/Danijel Rakić
The photo exhibition “Breaking Free,” launched in April 2019 at the Historical Museum of BiH in Sarajevo, uses visual storytelling to convey the experiences of children born out of war. It has since traveled across the country and to Italy and Serbia.
It features powerful portraits of children and their mothers, followed by personal narratives.
“These portraits show a clear message that we are not ashamed of ourselves, and we are not ashamed of our mothers,” Jusić explains.
A legacy of courage and compassion
Ajna’s work has connected her with a diverse range of survivors of wartime rape from conflicts around the world, including Guatemala, Uganda, and Ukraine, with whom her association has shared knowledge and strategies.
"I want future generations to know that I was not a victim and that I really tried to make a different picture of Bosnia and Herzegovina." – Ajna Jusić
Yet, their core message remains deeply personal: “Children born out of war can be bridges between different groups, between survivors and society, no matter which nation we’re talking about,” Jusić notes.
Her motivation comes from her personal experience but is also fueled by a desire to create a better future for others.
"I want future generations to know that I was not a victim and that I really tried to make a different picture of Bosnia and Herzegovina," Jusić concludes.
This story is a part of the Beijing+30 regional communications campaign ‘Unstoppable’, aimed at marking the 30th commemoration of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The views expressed in this story are those of the protagonist and the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of UN Women, the United Nations, or any of its affiliated organizations.