United for gender equality: 23 commitment makers pledge to implement activities aimed at achieving gender equality in BiH

Sarajevo, 8 March 2024 – Ahead of International Women's Day, the central event of the UN Women global initiative Generation Equality was held yesterday in Sarajevo. Generation Equality is a platform for collaboration to promote gender equality. Bringing together key stakeholders from various sectors, including government institutions, the private sector, the international community, UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, and young activists, discussions were held on how to achieve gender equality in BiH society.

Moderated by Adnan Rondić and Minela Jašar-Opardija, the topics covered by the event, which brought together more than a hundred participants, included bodily autonomy, sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, economic justice, environmental protection, and technological innovations.

“We all share a common goal, which is to enable women and girls to live lives free from violence, with equal access to economic resources, healthcare services, and gender-just climate actions. We are committed to aligning laws and policies with international standards, improving programs, and enhancing services in the areas of prevention and protection from violence, accessing economic resources, healthcare, and environmental protection. I would like to emphasize that the BiH Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees is one of the commitment makers within this international initiative, as part of the Action Coalition on Gender-Based Violence, which aims to combat and prevent all forms of violence against women,” said Sevlid Hurtić, BiH Minister of Human Rights and Refugees.

“Today we celebrate leaders and champions, commitment makers who have stepped up to make positive changes when it comes to ensuring progress in gender equality. According to UN Women data, globally, it will take more than 300 years and $360 billion to close the gender equality gap. There is no better time than now to capitalize on progress made so far, to honour commitments made, and continue with policy, advocacy and financial investments in gender equality,” said Jo Anne Bishop, representative of UN Women BiH.

Prominent young BiH alpine skier, Elvedina Muzaferija, who recently made the best result for BiH in alpine skiing, attended the event and joined the Generation Equality campaign. “As a daughter, sister, wife, and elite athlete, I feel a responsibility to fully support and contribute to Generation Equality. Each of these roles has made me aware of how important it is to live in a world where we are all equal and how challenging it is to confront gender equality in various aspects of society. I believe that together we can create positive changes in society. It

is important to fight for a world of equal opportunities and possibilities because each of us can contribute to creating a better and safer future for all women and girls,” said Elvedina.

After the keynote address by H.E. François Delmas, the Ambassador of France to BiH, the panel titled “Multistakeholder Partnerships for Advancing Gender Equality” was held with the participation of Samra Filipović-Hadžiabdić, director of the Agency for Gender Equality of BiH; Adnan Delić, FBiH Minister of Labor and Social Policy; Kristina Erak, Operations Manager at Bit Alliance, and young activist Sajra Kustura. Amra and Edin Džeko also joined the Generation Equality campaign, sharing their support through a video message.

The final part of the program included a recognition moment for the 23 commitment makers who have pledged to implement activities aimed at achieving gender equality in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Among them are ministries, government institutions, companies, and educational institutions , that have committed, among other things, to promote women's employment, integrate gender in various laws and policies, as well as advocate to prevent gender-based violence.

Drawing attention to the importance of fulfilling concrete obligations in the field of women's rights, and in light of International Women's Day, this event provided a platform to discuss a wide range of initiatives and strategies aimed at improving the status of women and girls in Bosnia and Herzegovina, laying foundations for future activities and partnerships.

For more information, please contact Masha Durkalić, Communications Associate at UN Women BiH, via e-mail masha.durkalic@unwomen.org or phone 062 853 579.