Empowering caregivers, transforming lives: Over 200 home and personal care aides are certified in Bosnia and Herzegovina

In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), 217 newly certified home care aides - 213 women and four men - are now prepared to support the elders by delivering professional home care and vital social support, following a month-long intensive training.

The groundbreaking initiative, launched as part of broader care sector reforms, equips participants with professional skills to provide essential home care and social support, addressing the dual challenges of a rapidly aging population and persistent gender inequality in the workforce.

Implemented in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, the programme is part of the “Translating the SDG Framework in BiH into Sustainable and Inclusive Growth (SDG2BiH)” project, funded by Sweden and implemented by UNDP, in collaboration with UNICEF and UN Women.

Beyond technical training, the curriculum included critical topics such as safeguarding the rights of the beneficiaries, particularly those with disabilities or living with dementia, to ensure protection from abuse and neglect.

“The initiative is more than a training course,” emphasized Adnan Delić, Federal Minister of Labour and Social Policy. “It directly responds to two of the most pressing challenges in our society: the growing demand for elder care and the economic inequality that continues to disproportionately affect women. By empowering women, especially those outside the formal labour market or already caring for elderly or sick family members, we are creating pathways to economic security and building a system where care work is finally recognized and valued,” pointed out Delić.

For many, the training has been transformative.

Amina Buljubašić, a 50-year-old writer from Zenica, a town in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, who had long been unemployed due to caregiving responsibilities, described the experience as life-changing. “This wasn’t just about finding a job; it was about reclaiming my confidence, setting boundaries, and finding strength in a society grappling with violence. It's a step toward both economic and psychosocial empowerment for women,” she shared.

Marija Prajo, 29, from Kreševo, a small town in the central part of BiH, now works as a home aide in Kiseljak, just 12 kilometers from her home. “I’ve learned so much – from understanding elders’ rights and proper nutrition to supporting people with disabilities. I'm ready to provide comprehensive care and advocate for their rights.”

Prajo is one of 50 trainees who began work after completing the training. “I feel I’ve found my calling. I can see how valuable it is to visit older people who are alone, even if it’s just for a brief conversation and a quick check-in,” Prajo said.

For Nejra Japić, a 28-year-old nurse and wellness practitioner from Cazin, a town in the northwest of Bosnia and Herzegovina, located 300 kilometers from the capital, the emotional support component stood out. “It was a wonderful experience to be part of the first generation of ‘Gerontodomaćice’ - full of positive energy and genuine personal growth,” she mentioned. Even with prior experience in the field, she found the curriculum eye-opening, especially in how it emphasized the psychological aspects of care, which are often overlooked in traditional training.

Men also joined this pioneering class. Among them was Antun Mikulić, 27, who works with the Red Cross in Široki Brijeg, a city in the southern part of the entity. “This work is vital,” he said. “The training helped us build on our skills, and we're eager to do more.”

Others, like Sanja Mulahmetović from Tuzla, a city renowned for its long tradition of community-based social solidarity and care services, located about 120 kilometers northeast of Sarajevo, articulated the broader societal impact of the initiative. “Our elders carry wisdom. Respecting and caring for them is not just our duty – it’s the foundation for strong families and communities. This training helped us understand not only their physical, but their emotional and social ones too,” Mulahmetović stated.

For Birgitta Jansson, Deputy Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden in Sarajevo, “The programme ‘Gerontodomaćice’ marks a bold stride forward in modernizing care for older adults and bolstering social welfare in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It’s more than just vital support for those most vulnerable – it’s a powerful step towards empowering women economically, building a sustainable model for long-term care, and meeting the ever-changing needs of the aging population."

Looking ahead, the programme is set to expand in its second phase through continued collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, the Red Cross of Federation BiH, and the Federal Employment Institute, further professionalizing the home care sector and ensuring no one is left behind.