“Establishing the South East Europe Women Police Officers Network” - agenda for the presentation of the report (28th October 2010)

 

Complementary 1325 Global Open Day Events in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia - report (RWL - June 7, 2010)

Summary 

(the full report below as pdf) 

In support of the UN-led Global Open Day for 1325 events, the Regional Women's Lobby decided to organize a set of complementary meetings in two of the countries where the Lobby is active: Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. As neither of these countries has a DPKO mission the UN team leading the Global Open Day initiative was not planning on promoting the event in these locations. RWL decided to use this space to organize its own meetings, complementary to the Global Open Day, with the UN RC and other stakeholders to brief them and discuss 1325 implementation issues. Both of these countries has a specific set of contextual factors influencing UNSCR 1325 implementation and this background will be discussed below. It should be mentioned that the RWL also planned to meet with the President of Croatia, however due to scheduling factors beyond their control the meeting was cancelled. As an alternative, the RWL members will meet with the President of Croatia and the UN RC in Croatia at the end of June after the RWL Regional 1325 +10 conference to brief them on the state of 1325 implementation in Croatia and the region.  

Context: Bosnia and Herzegovina 

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a post-conflict country that endured years of bloody conflict in the 1990s in which rape was used a method of warfare and women were victims of shockingly brutal gender based violence. The conflict led to the militarization of these societies and women were pushed out of public spaces and lost many of the social and economic rights they had under the socialist regime. In terms of Protection Laws and Mechanisms, Bosnia has a good legal framework. There is a Law on Gender Equality; a legislated electoral quota; a Law on Domestic Violence; a NAP on Gender Equality; a NAP for Domestic Violence; and a NAP on implementation 1325 is in the process of being adopted by Parliament. Mechanisms for implementation of these laws include a government Agency for Gender Equality, Gender Centers at the "entity" level of Bosnia's structure and a municipal/regional gender focal point network. In terms of political participation of women there is 14% women in parliament and only 2-3 women in executive decision-making positions at any point in time. In the security sector there are 2% women in the military at higher ranks, 5% at lower ranks and 5% at enlisted level. In the police there are 8% women. Civil society is very active in Bosnia on monitoring and advocating for 1325, with the strong support of UNIFEM. For example, the NGO Zene zenama has been active in raising awareness of 1325. They have translated the resolution into the local language and dispersed it and united with national and international security sector organizations in a program entitled "Participation of the public in security: UNSCR 1325 in BiH". Examples of goals of the 1325 program are the creation of a women's police network at the national level and the establishment of cooperation between women's NGOs and EUFOR local observation teams on women's human rights and security. Civil society in Bosnia has also been involved in the NAP drafting process and will take on promotion of the NAP in local communities along with representatives of ministries, entities and cantons.  

Context: Serbia 

Serbia is a post-conflict society with a high degree of militarization. Serbia experienced the effects of the wars in the region first indirectly, and then directly with the NATO bombing in 1999. As in Bosnia, women in Serbia were also pushed out of public spaces and decision-making during the conflicts of the 1990s as public attitudes reinforced the view that women were not the decisive politicians or strong leaders needed during the wars and conflicts that Serbia was involved in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo. Serbia, like Bosnia, also has an extensive legal framework related to gender equality. There is a Law on Gender Equality; a legislated electoral quota; an Anti-discrimination Law; a NAP on Gender Equality; and a NAP on implementation 1325 is currently being drafted by a working group of stakeholders. The gender mechanisms include a Department for Gender Equality within the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and a network of gender focal points at the regional level of government. Women's participation in parliament is about 21% and at the executive level 5 of 27 ministers are currently women. In the military 0.5% of officer are women and 5% of enlisted soldiers are women. The NGO Women in Black has been advocating for a women's perspective of security since the very beginning of the conflicts in the region in the 1990s and has been active in promoting peace and security issues from a feminist perspective and from an anti-nationalist and anti-militaristic perspective. Needless to say their consistent opposition to the regime was not without danger to themselves, especially in the charged atmosphere of the 1990s.

Memorandum of Understanding between UNIFEM Central and Eastern Europe, EUFOR ALTHEA and EUPM BiH (2008)

Terms of Reference for Gender Equality Mainstreaming Backstopper for the Embassy of Switzerland in Bosnia and Herzegovina (7F-09103.01.35)

The Swiss Cooperation Strategy Bosnia and Herzegovina 2013-2016, in the frames of which Switzerland is providing its development support to BiH, is organized along three main domains of intervention: 1. Local Governance and Municipal Service, 2. Health and 3. and Economy and Employment. These domains of intervention include a number of projects aiming at reaching the over-arching goal of the Strategy: to contribute to the transition of BiH towards a socially inclusive market economy and a decentralized democratic political system, with the longer-term perspective of European integration.

Gender equality, together with good governance, is a cross-cutting theme in Swiss supported programmes worldwide, including Bosnia and Herzegovina. Swiss Cooperation therefore continues to integrate gender as cross-cutting issue in the identification, planning, and implementation processes of its programmes and projects, as well as monitoring and evaluation. Gender equality is actively mainstreamed throughout all domains supported in the frame of the present Cooperation Strategy, in accordance with the national gender action plan and in close cooperation with the entity-level gender centres.

The Embassy of Switzerland in BiH is implementing the Cooperation Strategy and is doing so by engaging partner organizations and institutions in BiH, both local and international. These implementing partners that carry out the projects and programmes funded by Switzerland have to adhere to the basic principles gender equality mainstreaming and they have to make sure that gender equality as a principle is not only included in the projects and programmes but is also reflected the reporting.

Okvirni plan prevencije za suzbijanje nasilja po osnovu spola na području Grada Mostara za period 2012. – 2013. godine (Službeni glasnik Grada Mostara, 2/2012)

Procjena provedbe Akcionog plana za implementaciju UNSCR 1325 „Žene, mir i sigurnost“ u Bosni i Hercegovini 2010-2013 avgust/kolovoz 2013. (autor: Agencija za ravnopravnost spolova BiH)

Procjena provedbe Akcionog plana za implementaciju UNSCR 1325 „Žene, mir i sigurnost“ u
Bosni i Hercegovini 2010-2013
avgust/kolovoz 2013.

autor: Agencija za ravnopravnost spolova BiH, Ministarstvo za ljudska prava i izbjeblice

Izvještaj o provedbi Akcionog plana za implementaciju UN Rezolucije 1325 „Žene, mir i sigurnost“ u Bosni i Hercegovini za 2012. godinu 27.07.2011.-27.07.2012. godine (Agencija za ravnopravnost spolova BiH)

Izvještaj o provedbi Akcionog plana za implementaciju UN Rezolucije 1325 „Žene, mir i sigurnost“ u Bosni i Hercegovini za 2012. godinu
27.07.2011.-27.07.2012. godine
autor: Agencija za ravnopravnost spolova BiH, Ministarstvo za ljudska prava i izbjeglice BiH

List of donations for Women ́s and Gender Projects (Source: UN Women)

List of donations for Women ́s and Gender Projects (Source: UN Women)
 FIGAP project, in the period of 2009 until 2014; joint financing between SIDA, ADA
and Swiss Technical assistance, 3 million euro
 Sub regional UNDP gender programme which was consisted of two projects:
1. Implementation of legislation of gender equality – in the period from 2003- 2005 -
400 000 USD
2. Subregional gender project in the from 2005 until 2007 - 2 million USD
 Joint project between UNDP and UNFP for suppression and prevention of gender
based violence in the period from 2009 until 2012, around one million USD
 Adopting the strategy for protection the rights of women and children in three
municipalities in Herzegovina, funded by the European Commission. The project
lasted 12 months, implemenation started on 24.11.2006. - € 44,802.60
 The campaign for the respect of human rights of children and women in Bosnia and
Herzegovina through the network of coordinators for the development and
implementation of campaigns, funded by the European Commission. The project
lasted 14 months, implementation started on 16.9.2006, € 57,446.06
 Socio-economic empowerment of particularly vulnerable groups such as women
victims of war and landmine victims, under the direct and active participation of local
partner organizations dealing with marginalized groups in BiH. Project funded by the
European Commission, lasted 24 months, implementation started on 21.12.2006. - €
192,810.00
 Trafficking and prostitution of women - financed by the Austrian Development
corporation, the project lasted from 01.12.2006 until 31.12.2008 - 378.984 EUR
 Humanization of relations between the sexes - gender equality, the project funded by
the Local Initiative Program BiH. The project lasted a year, began implementation
started on 01.01.2007 - CAD $ 73,000
 Integration of gender equality in schools, a project funded by the Local Initiative
Program BiH, lasted a year, implemenation started on 01.10.2006. The CAD $ 29.065
 Gender equality and case law in BiH, a project funded by the Local Initiative Program
BiH, lasted a year, implementation started on 01.03.2007. - CAD $ 48,490.54
 Empowerment of women through information technology (IT) project funded by the
Canada Fund, lasted five months, implementation started in September 2008 - CAD $
10.639
 Capacity building of women's organizations in the rural area of Brcko District, a
project funded by the Canada Fund, lasted seven months, started in January 2009 -
13,740 KM
➢ Overview of Donor activities – Ministry of Finance and Treasury – within
information available on the website of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, it is not
specified how much was spent for gender projects instead the amount is for the whole
sector

89

• Overview of donor activities 2010 - 2011
http://www.mft.gov.ba/bos/images/stories/medjunarodna
saradnja/koordinacija_medjunarodne_pomoci/DMR_2010-2011_BOS.pdf
For the sub-sector of Human Rights, € 4.80 million was allocated in 2010, or 12% of
the total allocation for the Good Governance and Institution Building.
For the sub-sector of Human rights, € 1.48 million was allocated in 2011 or 5.63% of
the total allocations for this sector.
• Overview of donor activities 2011 - 2012
http://www.mft.gov.ba/bos/images/stories/medjunarodna
saradnja/koordinacija_medjunarodne_pomoci/DMR_2011_2012_BOS.PDF
For the sub-sector of Human Rights in 2011, € 2.30 million was allocated or 6.68% of
the total allocation for the Good Governance and Institution Building.
For the sub-sector human rights, € 4.35 million was allocated in 2012 or 13.53% of the
total allocations for this sector.

CSDP Gender Advisors Meeting 20 June 2011 - report

Komitet za ukidanje diskriminacije žena (CEDAW) - Zaključna razmatranja na kombinovani 4. i 5. periodični izvještaj BiH (2013.)

Četvrti i peti periodični CEDAW izvještaj Bosne i Hercegovine (2011.)

Priručnik za integrisanje principa ravnopravnosti spolova u propise (finalni nacrt) - USAID - "Prava za sve" i Fondacija za istraživanje za Državni univerzitet New York

European Commission GENDER COUNTRY PROFILE FOR BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA (Lot 1 COM) Project No. 2013/333302 /1 GENDER COUNTRY PROFILE FINAL REPORT June 2014 Dr. Marina Hughson, consultant

RWL Conference Presentations in Serbian (ISIS Europe and UNIFEM)

Current overview of discrimination of and violence against women in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) - EU report 2009

Local Strategy on Violence Against Women in BaH adopted by the Delegation of the European Union to BaH (January, 2011)

First Annual Conference of Republic of Srpska WPON (invitation and agenda) - December 12, 2012

From: Tatjana Telic <Tatjana.Telic@mup.vladars.net> Date: December 12, 2012 4:20:30 PM GMT+01:00 To: Undisclosed recipients:; Subject: First Annual Conference of Republic of Srpska WPON Dear all,                 The Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Srpska and its Women Police Officers Network (RS WPON) organized the First Annual Conference of RS WPON. The event was held on December 10th, 2012 in the Administration Centre of the RS Government in Banja Luka and it gathered representatives of the RS Ministry of Interior, Executive Board of the Network, Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia, Gender Centre of the RS Government, UNDP/SEESAC, Regional WPON Network, UN Women, ICITAP and several NGOs.                 The Conference was opened by the President of the Network Assembly, Ms Indira Rogic, followed by the speech given by the RS Minister of Interior, Mr Stanislav Cadjo and H.E. Ms Vibeke Lilloe, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to BiH. The presenters included the President of the International Association of Women Police Officers (IAWP), Ms Jane Townsley; representative of the European Network of Policewomen, Ms Anita Wieman-Hesterman; Ms Bojana Balon, WPON Project Manager (UNDP/SEESAC) and Ms Sanja Sumonja, WPON Executive Committee Chairwoman and member of the RS WPON.                 The national Republic of Srpska Ministry of Interior Women Network – RS WPON was officially registered on May 31, 2011, with the basic aim of promoting and applying gender equality, strategic approach to the employment of women in the police, education, training, career development and promotion of the work results of the female members of our Ministry. By establishing this network, the RS Ministry of Interior has become the first Ministry in the region to create this form of association, and based on the initiative of SEPCA (Southeast Europe Police Chiefs Association) to establish Women Police Officers Network in Southeast Europe – WPON.                 The Guidelines for Gender Sensitive Policing with an Emphasis on Recruitment, Selection and Professional Development of Women in Police Services were presented at the Conference. The Guidelines, developed by the WPON Working Group, were designed to outline concrete and simple steps that can help better integration of women in the police services.                 The meeting was also an opportunity to present activities of the RS WPON since its establishment through reports on awareness raising campaigns, capacity development, training and advocacy for gender equality in policing. Participants agreed that since its foundation RS WPON has achieved a lot in identifying existing best practices, while at the same time proposing a set of measures which will help police services attract and retain more qualified women.                 Agenda and few photos from the event are attached.                 With best regards, Tatjana Telic Chief of International Affairs Department Ministry of Interior of Republic of Srpska Banja Luka Bosnia and Herzegovina Tel:    +387 51 33 84 88 Fax:  +387 51 33 88 44 Mob:+387 65 52 67 99 E-mail: tatjana.telic@mup.vladars.net

ProdDoc Establishment of Association of Women Police Officers in the Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina/ Osnivanje Udruženja žena-policijskih službenika u Institucijama Bosne i Hercegovine (2011) (English and local)

Establishment of Association of Women Police Officers in the Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina/ Osnivanje Udruženja žena-policijskih službenika u Institucijama Bosne i Hercegovine (2011) (English and local) 

Coordinating Structures Bosnia and Herzegovina (Trafficking in Human Beings)

Coordinating structures For the purpose of more successful fight against trafficking in human beings at the state level, the Council of Ministers has in July 2003 issued the Decision on the Procedures and the Way of Coordinating Activities on Anti-Trafficking in Human Beings and Illegal Migration in BiH and the Establishment of the Function of the State Coordinator for BiH. On the basis of this Decision, besides the function of the State Coordinator, coordination structure in the form of the so-called State Group was created comprised of representatives from several ministries. With the aim of ensuring more efficient implementation of the State Action Plan, that is operation plans in the three year period (2005-2007), besides previously established State Group and Subgroup for prevention of trafficking in children, three additional thematic working groups were set up which work on the implementation of activities defined in the three key segments: prevention, protection and prosecution. All three working groups are comprised of representatives of the state ministries and institutions, nongovernmental and international organisations. Besides regular monthly State Group meetings, and bi-monthly meetings of the Subgroup, for the purpose of monitoring trends relating to trafficking in human beings, assessment of the situation and planning of particular measures for implementation of the Operational Plan, regular meetings are held with Liaison Officers from all police structures in Bosnia and Herzegovina (SIPA, SBS, entity and cantonal ministries of interior, as well as Brcko District Police). The meetings serve as information sharing platform on general human trafficking trends but also specific cases and potential problems in the implementation of the relevant legislation and cooperation with prosecutors and aliens' inspectors, as well as for planning of joint activities. Memorandum of Cooperation signed between the State Coordinator and Head of the Strike Force, has established responsibilities between these two institutions in the process of data collection, exchange and use of information as well as models of joint actions on prevention and suppression of human trafficking and illegal migration. This cooperation covers activities relating to protection of trafficking victims, development of a database on trafficking in human beings as well as implementation of joint research projects and various forms of professional development. In order to ensure better coordination of activities between the Office of the State Coordinator, nongovernmental and international organisations, regular quarterly meetings between these actors are held. Referral meetings are a platform for exchange of information about implemented and planned activities, coordination and harmonisation of these activities in order to avoid duplication of activities and projects, and parallel spending of resources.

Legislation

In the mid 1990s, trafficking in human beings appeared as a very serious and complex problem in Stability Pact countries, and so it did in Bosnia and Herzegovina. When Bosnia and Herzegovina first faced this problem, solving it proved extremely difficult due to non-existence of legal framework which recognised trafficking in human beings as a criminal offence, transnational character of this form of organised crime and generally poor knowledge of the phenomenon of trafficking in human beings at that time.

The authorities worked at accelerated pace towards creation of a legislative framework which would enable processing of this and related crimes, as well as provision of assistance to victims of trafficking. As part of the legislative reform, it is important to emphasise enactment of new laws and by-laws which regulate:

• criminal offences related to anti-trafficking and related crimes as well as smuggling in persons (which have been entirely harmonised with provisions of UN Convention against Translational Organised Crime and its Protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons and Protocol against the smuggling of migrants by land, sea and air),
• movement and stay of aliens,
• protection and assistance of human trafficking victims,
• program of witness protection, including victims of human trafficking who appear as witnesses before the courts,
• control and surveillance of state borders (which created adequate legislative basis for efficient prevention of illegal migration, and consequently prevention of human trafficking).

The process of legislative reform, relating to trafficking in human beings is more thoroughly explained in the Annual Reports of the State Coordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and illegal Immigration in BiH, for 2004 and 2005. Some of the mentioned laws and by-laws are available on this web page.

·         Rules on protection of local victims of trafficking

·         Law on Programme of Witness Protection

·         Law on Protection of Witnesses under Threat and Vulnerable Witnesses

·         BiH Criminal Procedure Code

·         Rulebook on protection of foreign victims of trafficking

·         BiH Criminal Code

Project Proposal for UNIFEM, Bratislava Slovak Republic Participation of public in peace processes UN RESOLUTION SCR 1325 (Žene Ženama)

Project Proposal for UNIFEM, Bratislava Slovak Republic

Participation of public in peace processes

UN RESOLUTION SCR 1325