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Banja Luka, 23 March 2010

Press Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina Accepted Complaints of United Women Banja Luka related to reporting of printed media in BiH in a case of sexual exploitation and abuse of underage girl from Bratunac, BiH

On 18 March 2010, United Women Banja Luka submitted complaints to the Press Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina in relation to articles published in BiH daily newspapers “Nezavisne novine, Glas Srpske, SAN, and PRESS RS” related to a case of sexual exploitation and abuse of underage girl M.M. from Bratunac, BiH.

Complaints were submitted based on severe violation of the Press Code of BiH in relation to direct and indirect revealing of identity of a victim, which endangered children’s rights, personal and family life, safety, dignity, reputation and honor of a girl.
Complaints were also related to instigating discrimination and intolerance in published articles in above listed printed media, as well as allusions on ethnical group and nationality of a victim, which, by opinion of United Women Banja Luka, does not have any direct or indirect connection with a case.

Commission for Complaints of the Press Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina held a regular session on 19 March 2010 in Sarajevo, BiH, and examined complaints of United Women Banja Luka. The Commission identified violations of the Press Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina in parts related to the Article 11 – Protection of Children and Minors, Article 4a- Gender Equality and Respect of Individuality, and Article 9 – Privacy.

Commission for Complaints of the Press Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina also appealed on all editors of printed media in Bosnia and Herzegovina to have the approach focused on protection of underage victim in reporting on such cases, not to directly or indirectly reveal identity of a victim, allude on her character, and not to expose her to additional victimization, always having in mind interests of a child, as stated in the Article 11 of the Press Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Commission also stated this is especially important in cases of open investigations related to specific criminal act in which children are appearing either as victims of as witnesses.

 

 

 

PROTEST LETTER

 

27 October 2009


Nongovernmental organisations Helsinki Citizens' Assembly and United Women Banja Luka sent today a protest letter to the Swedish Foreign Minster, Carl Bildt, US Deputy Secretary of State, James Steinberg and High Representative to BiH, Valentin Inzko, due to non-inclusion of women into the negotiations on BiH constitutional changes.

Further you may find the text of protest letter forwarded to the addresses of abovementioned international officials:

P R O T E S T

Being concerned with the progress of Butmir talks so far, and recalling that true democracy cannot exist without equal participation of women, Udruzene Zene and Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly, together with the participants at the round table which resulted in the forming of the Regional Women’s’ Network in Banja Luka on 23rd October, we request that the international representatives and local leaders include women in the continuation of talks on constitutional changes in BiH.

Women were excluded from all negotiating teams which have been deciding about the BiH destiny, starting from the time of the Dayton Peace Agreement signing onwards. Butmir talks are no exception to this, while the results of these talks will have an impact on all BiH male and female citizens equally.

Participants at the round table held in Banja Luka who arrived from BiH, Croatia, Serbia Montenegro and Macedonia, are surprised with the behaviour of Butmir talks' initiators, especially Carl Bildt, Foreign Minister of Sweden, the country which is currently presiding over the EU. The EU countries are obliged to show appreciation towards the gender balance, pursuant to resolutions, declarations, rule books and road maps, when adopting any decision on the EU level. Contrary to the expectations of the BiH women, but also of the women from the region, Butmir talks initiators ignored all above mentioned, and proceeded with the practice of ignoring and excluding women, although they were in position to decide about who was to sit at the negotiating table.

This has only encouraged local politicians to pursue with the practice of women discrimination, violation of domestic legal regulations, first of all BiH Law on Gender Equality, and to ignore obligations that were taken over by the signing of the international and regional relevant contracts.

Negotiating table should host women as well who could give a different contribution to the talks and direct them towards the needs and interests of ordinary citizens of this country, who cannot live on the “principle of constitutionality”.

Thus, we request that the international representatives take this our protest into consideration and prevent that the destiny of BiH male and female citizens be decided upon only by men!

 

                                                               MEDIA STATEMENT

Sarajevo, Banja Luka, 13 May 2009

With his scandalous statement that Balkan tradition is to beat wives if they are not listening, made yesterday on the parliamentary session of the House of Peoples in the Parliament of Federation of BiH, delegate Muharem Serbezovski, President of the Human Rights Commission provoked our shock and revolt.

Nongovernmental organizations are expressing the strongest protest because of the statement of delegate Serbezovski, which approves violence against women because it represents a part of folklore of Balkan peoples.

There is no excuse for representative of women and men citizens and President of the Human Rights Commission to express publicly such attitude at the parliamentary session. It is additionally disturbing for us that other delegates perceive such statement as “congenial”!!!! Moreover, his colleague Zoran Budimlić in his statement at the parliamentary session compares women with rebellious and spoiled children!

We are demanding from the Parliament of Federation of BiH to condemn strongly such attitudes, and we are requesting urgent removal of Muharem Serbezovski from the position of the President of the Human Rights Commission.
We are demanding from authorities to protect our right on dignity and life without violence!
 

 

13 April 2009

 

IIn the period from 1 January until 31 December 2008, three female and one male representatives of “United Women” Banja Luka participated in two hundred and thirty four (234) field interventions of the Mobile Team. The largest number of cases of domestic violence was reported in families living in urban settlements – 65%.
During 234 field interventions of the mobile Team for assistance and support for victims of domestic violence in Banja Luka in 2008, it has been registered that predominant perpetrators of violence were men - 226 (or 97.6%), while only 8 women (or 2.4%) were registered as perpetrators of violence.
During 2008, the largest percentage of victims recognized domestic violence as combined in all its forms – 61.5%. Beside that, in 14.1% cases, victims recognized it as physical violence.
Team for Assistance and Support for Victims of Domestic Violence (Mobile Team) Banja Luka has been established based on the Protocol for Assistance and Support to Victims of Domestic Violence, signed in June 2007 by the City Administration Banja Luka, Center for Social Work Banja Luka, Center for Public Security (police) Banja Luka, and nongovernmental organization “United Women” Banja Luka.
The Team has been established with the objective of prompt and efficient protection of victims of domestic violence, and undertaking adequate measures for urgent protection of victims, as well as conducting necessary activities for initiating judicial procedure against perpetrators of domestic violence.
For more information, see the detailed report of “United Women” Banja Luka about work of the Team for Assistance and Support for Victims of Domestic Violence in Banja Luka in 2008
 

 

4 March 2009

 

 

In the period from 1 January 2008 until 31 December 2008, seventy (70) persons were sheltered in the Safe House Banja Luka – thirty four (34) women and thirty six (36) children. The number of women and children beneficiaries of the Safe House Banja Luka shows tendency of increasing for almost 50% in relation to the same period in 2007.
Beside beneficiaries of the Safe House from Banja Luka area, we sheltered women and children victims of violence from the area of Laktaši, Kotor Varoš, Gradiška, Kneževo, Zvornik, Čelinac, Srbac, Ribnik, Mrkonjić Grad, and a woman from Subotica, with citizenship of Republic of Serbia. One underage girl, victim of trafficking, was sheltered in the Safe House Banja Luka for a short period in 2008, in cooperation with police and public prosecutor’s office.
The largest percentage of women (55%) were victims of long-term violence and abuse, within a period longer than 10 years, while 30% of women beneficiaries were exposed to violence during a period of several months.In 35% of cases, women beneficiaries of the Safe House Banja Luka were reporting violence after a few months of suffering violent torture by their abusers.
For more information, please download full Annual Report on Work of the Safe House Banja Luka for 2008.


For more information, please download full Annual Report on Work of the Safe House Banja Luka for 2008.
 

29 January 2009

 

In period from 4 to 5 February 2009 in Banja Luka, United Women Banja Luka is organizing the Conference "Gender Mainstreaming u Media - Experiences from the Region". Purpose of the Conference is to enable exchange of experiences on the topic of integrating gender equality issues in media among women and men participants from the Balkan region, namely Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Sebia, and two EU countries – Germany and Sweden. Participants of the Conference will be women and men journalists and editors of the electronic and printed media in BiH, activists of women’s NGOs in BiH, and women politicians from BiH.The Conference is part of the three-year project with title “Gender Equality in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Informed Public Opinion and Gender Sensitive Media 2008 – 2010”, financially supported by Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (EED) Germany. Attached is the agenda and further details about the Conference.
Agenda

 

6 December 2008
 

Lana Jajčević and Minja Damjanović, members of United Women Banja Luka, with support of Boris Ivanović, Head of SIPA Office in Banja Luka, organized a workshop about trafficking of people for boys and girls beneficiaries of the Home for Children and Youth People without Parental Care "Rada Vranješević" in Banja Luka. The workshop was organized in cooperation with women and men professional staff of the House, which wanted to provide an opportunity for boys and girls high school students to learn about the issues of trafficking of people and its forms in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Workshop consisted of broadcasting the documentary "MTV EXIT" and lectures of Boris Ivanović and Lana Jajčević. They provided practical examples about attempts and ways of recruiting young girls and boys for the purpose of exploitation in our environment. Boris Ivanović and Lana Jajčević also discussed the issues of smuggling of people, alcoholism, drug abuse, etc. We believe the workshop was very useful for boys and girls beneficiaries of the House, since they asked a lot's of questions, and actively participated in the discussions.
All workshop participants received booklets with the basic information about trafficking of people.

 

24 November 2008

As a part of the Campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence in 2008, which will be implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the key message "Stop Violence Against Women -
Implement Laws - Punish Perpetrators!, United Women Banja Luka and Helsinki Citizens Assembly Banja Luka sent the open letter to the People's Assembly of Republika Srpska, Government of Republika Srpska, Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Republika Srpska, Board of Equal Possibilities of the People's Assembly of Republika Srpska, and Gender Center of RS Government.

The open letter contains requests for recognizing persons that survived domestic violence as beneficiaries of the social protection, and recognizing the safe houses for women victims of domestic violence as the institutions of the social protection in the Draft Law on Social Protection of Republika Srpska, determined on 98th Session of the Government of Republika Srpska.

Open letter

 

24 November 2008

    
Strana 1                                                                   Strana 2
International Campaign "16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence" has been initiated by the Center for Global Women's Leadership in 1991. Since that period, over 2000 organizations from 154 countries contributed to the Campaign. Women and men participants choose dates between 25 November - the International Day of Fighting Against Violence Against Women, and 10 December - The Human Rights Day, in order to symbolically link violence against women and human rights, and to emphasize that such violence is a human rights violation.

This 16-day period also highlights other significant dates including November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, December 1, World AIDS Day, and December 6, which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre.

In 2008, key theme of the international campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence is "Human Rights for Women - Human Rights for All!". The Campaign also celebrates and highlights the 60th Anniversary of adopting the Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

Network of women's nongovernmental organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina developed the joint Calendar of Activities within the Campaign in 2008. The Campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2008 will be implemented under joint message "Stop Violence Against Women - Implement Laws - Punish Perpetrators!"
Calendar of Campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence

 

 

24 November 2008

Free SOS Telephone
Starting with 1 December 2008, as the support for the Campaign "Family Without Violence", Company m:tel decided to enable free calls on number 1264, as the SOS service for victims of domestic violence.

Key values and fulfilling mission of our Company represent support to the increasing quality of life in our society and full support to humanitarian work. This is visible from our support to the Action "Family without Violence" initiated by the Government of Republika Srpska and Gender Center. Slogan of the Campaign „Violence Against Family Members Represents the Crime" also shows that this issue is widespread in our society, as reflected through statistics of the SOS telephone since its establishing in 2005. m:tel Company joined the efforts of relevant institutions to work preventively, stop domestic violence, and provide support to the victims of violence - predominantly women and children. (Source m:tel)

 

10 October 2008

Lindsey Korver and Marion van der Bent – Meesters from the Netherlands, members of EUFOR, LOT Mrkonjic Grad participated in 17th Vecernjak’s Zagreb Marathon, which was held on 5 October, in order to help fundraising for floor repairing and purchasing necessary equipment for women and children beneficiaries of the Safe House for Women and Children Victims of Violence in Banja Luka.

Lindsey and Marion participated in the marathon with personal message “Women Run For Women” wearing T-shirts with sign “Stop Domestic Violence” and logo of United Women Banja Luka. They successfully fundraised 4612, 61 BAM, which they donated to the Safe House Banja Luka.

United Women Banja Luka is expressing appreciation to Lindsey and Marion for the initiative, support and collected funds.

3 October 2008

In period from 1 October 2007 until 1 October 2008, United Women Banja Luka participated in implementation of the project “Monitoring and Analysis of Implementation of Criteria for School Signs and Simbols” in cooperation with the Foundation of Local Democracy from Sarajevo (as the key project implementing bearer) and nongovernmental organizations “Vesta” from Tuzla and “Terca” from Mostar (as partner organizations). The project was implemented with financial support of the European Union.
Principal aim of the project was support for creating preconditions for sustainable return and reintegration of minority returnees into local community through meeting special needs and rights of children minority returnees.

Specific objectives of the project were following:

- Monitoring of implementation of the part of Temporary Agreement about Meeting Special Needs and Rights of Children Returnees related to implementation of the Criteria for Names and Symbols of Schools and School’ Manifestations that are not complying with the criteria;
-Mapping schools which, through their name, symbols and school manifestations, are separating children on the basis of their nationality, and therefore contribute to xenophobic practices, and schools that missed to implement the criteria;
- Presenting the monitoring results to women and men citizens and governmental institutions;
- Initiating campaign for removing inappropriate names of schools, school’ symbols and objects that are contributing to creation of xenophobic environment;
- Reducing number of schools that did not adjust their names and symbols to the criteria.

Implementation of the project represents contribution to the promotion of sustainable return, which is one of the key program areas of United Women Banja Luka, but also protection of minority rights, strengthening social and economic position of women and men returnees and their reintegration into local community.

Final report/results of monitoring of implementation of the Criteria for School Signs and Symbols on B/H/S languages can be downloaded under link publications.
 

25 September 2008

 

"United Women" are strongly condemning violence against women and men
participants of Queer Festival in Sarajevo

United Women Banja Luka are strongly condemning violence against women and
men participants of the First Queer Festival in Sarajevo. United Women Banja Luka

are calling official institutions to take legal measures against responsible persons
that participated in violent acts, as well as those media and politicians who were
heating the atmosphere for violence with their statements and reports.

Events that happened in Sarajevo yesterday are representing brutal violation
of the fundamental human rights and show low level of tolerance in Bosnia

and Herzegovina for everything different. Violence against participants of the Festival
also reflects disrespect for the Constitution and laws in Bosnia and Herzegovina that
are prohibiting all forms of discrimination, also discrimination based on sex and sexual
orientation.
 

Banja Luka, 28 August 2008

 

„A Women for Change“ - Election 2008

 

The network of sixteen women’s nongovernmental organisations in Bosnia and Herzegovina launches the Campaign „A Woman for Change“ with purpose to increase visibility of women in election campaign and increase voters’ support to female candidates in the coming municipal elections. During the campaign there will be 32 billboards posted countrywide and large number of posters and leaflets distributed, radio and TV programmes organised. This will be followed by two street campaigns in twenty towns where activists will talk with citizens about the need for more women in decision making processes. The Campaign will be implemented along with official election campaign in September 2008. Members of the network of women’s organisations are the associations as follows: „Most“ (Bridge) Višegrad, „Žena BiH“ (Woman of BiH) Mostar, „Duvanjke“ Tomislavgrad, „Žene sa Une“ (Women from Una) Bihać, „Žene ženama“ (Women to Women) and „Cure“ (Girls), Sarajevo, „Centar za pravnu pomoć ženama“ (Legal Aid Centre), Zenica, „Ženski centar“ (Women’s Centre) Trebinje, „Horizonti“ (Horizons) Tuzla, „Forum žena“ (Women’s Forum) Bratunac, „Sanus“ Prijedor, „Žena i porodica“ (Woman and Family) Gradiška, „Budućnost“ (Future) Modriča, „Lara“ Bijeljina, „Udružene žene“ (United Women) and „Helsinški parlament građana“ (Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly) Banja Luka. Radio Jingle

 
Banja Luka, 18 June 2008
 

In period from 11 to 13 June 2008, United Women Banja Luka organized the workshop with title “Equal Representation and Portrayal of Women and Men Politicians in Media of Bosnia and Herzegovina“. Workshop was organized as a part of the project “Gender Equality in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Informed Public Opinion and Gender Sensitive Media”, supported by Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst - EED Germany.
Key objective of the workshop was to increase gender sensibility of media in order to provide equal space for presentation of male and female candidates of political parties during upcoming campaign for local elections in BiH in 2008.
Women and men workshop participants agreed to send proposal to the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina to change Bylaw about Media Presentation of Political Subjects During Election Campaigns, in order to secure equal participation of male and female candidates in pre-election campaign.
Women and men workshop participants also proposed amendments for Bylaw, to add article that would oblige political subjects to respect and fully implement the Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina during pre-election campaign, especially the Article 4.19 of the Law, as well as Law on Gender Equality of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Participants of the workshop also supported the initiative for sending appeal to all electronic and printed media in Bosnia and Herzegovina to pay attention on equal representation and portrayal of male and female candidates during pre-election campaign.
There were 24 women and men participants at the workshop, representatives of various political parties, civil society organizations and media in Bosnia and Herzegovina
 

Banja Luka, 4 January 2008
 
On 13 and 14 December 2007 in Banja Luka, United Women Banja Luka organized the Conference "Financing of the Safe Houses in Bosnia and Herzegovina - Legislative Obstacles and How to Overcome Them". Participants of the Conference were women representatives of nongovernmental organizations throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina that have the safe houses for women and children victims of domestic violence, women representatives of Gender Centers of Government of Federation of BiH and Government of Republika Srpska, women representatives of the Agency for Gender Equality of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and women representatives of NGOs from BiH that are working on protection of women's human rights.
 
Aim of the Conference was to determine ways and possibilities of systemic solution for financing of the safe houses in Bosnia and Herzegovina in accordance with the international obligations and domestic laws.
 
Women participants of the Conference adopted following recommendations:
 
1. Victims of domestic violence must be recognized by existing Laws about social protection (entity laws in Republika Srpska and cantonal laws in Federation of BiH) as social category, and safe houses must be recognized as institutions of social protection,
 
2. Changes and amendments of the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence in Republika Srpska should include financing of the safe houses on the way that 70% of running costs should be financed from the entity public budget, and 30% of costs from the budgets of local communities. Changes of the same Law in Federation of BiH should solve the problem of financing the safe houses through the same division of costs (70%-30%) between cantonal and municipal levels - budgets.
 
3. Governments of both BiH entities should make decision about minimal number of the safe houses that will be financed from the public budgets in accordance with the international obligations.
 
The Conference was financially supported by United Nations Development Fund for Women - UNIFEM.
 
The recommendations were sent to the Agency for Gender Equality of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Commission for Gender Equality of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Commission for Gender Equality of Parliament of Federation of BiH, Board for Equal Possibilities of the People's Assembly of Republika Srpska, Gender Center of Government of Federation of BiH, Gender Center of Republika Srpska, cantonal commissions for gender equality, and municipal/city commissions for gender equality.
 
 
Banja Luka, 14 December 2007
 
On 5 December 2007, United Women Banja Luka and Helsinki Citizens Assembly Banja Luka organized the public discussion in Banja Luka with title "Psychological Characteristics of Victims of Domestic Violence". After introductory presentation of clinical psychologist Dijana Djuric about psychological mechanisms developed by victims of domestic violence, such are ignoring the problem, self accusation for situation she faced, and hesitation to report that domestic violence happened, women and men participants of the public discussion concluded that Law on Domestic Violence in Republika Srpska is not implemented well in the practice, and there is lack of coordination in work of the official institution that should provide protection for women victims.
 
Women and men citizens of Banja Luka also defined following conclusions and recommendations:
 
1. Safe houses for women victims of violence are efficient mechanisms for protection of a victim of violence in moments of acute violence, but also the place for her rehabilitation and exiting role of a victim. Recommendation of the Council of Europe is that one place in the safe house should be secured per each 7500 to 10000 inhabitants. Having in mind difficult economic situation and financial possibilities of Republika Srpska, it is not realistic to expect that this Recommendation will be fully supported through the public budgets. However, we are calling the official institutions of Republika Srpska to ensure:
 
- That changes and amendments of the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence in Republika Srpska incorporate precise and clear obligation of financing the safe houses in RS from the public budgets, on the way to ensure 70% of costs from the entity budgets, and 30% of costs from the public budgets of local municipalities. These financial means must be harmonized with needs, and sufficient for fully functioning of the safe houses.
 
- That Republika Srpska enable opening at least five safe houses that will be funded through the public budgets on entity and local levels, in the regions where public prosecutor's offices exist: Trebinje, East Sarajevo, Bijeljina, Modrica (for Doboj Region), and Banja Luka.
 
2. Victims of domestic violence should be recognized by the Law on Social Protection of Republika Srpska as social category, and safe houses should be recognized as institutions of social protection, which will ensure adequate assistance and support.
 
2. As examples of good practices, interventions of "mobile team" in the area of Banja Luka are recognized, as they ensure cooperation of police, Center for Social Work and nongovernmental organization United Women Banja Luka. Together they conduct field interventions, and have possibilities to offer urgent accommodation of a victim in the safe house.
 
The public discussion was organized as the part of partnership project "Woman Today" implemented since 1997 by United Women Banja Luka and Helsinki Citizens Assembly Banja Luka, with support of Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation from Sweden.
 
 
Banja Luka, 10 December 2007
 
OVERVIEW OF THE ACTIVITIES - 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER BASED VIOLENCE IN 2007
 
*Activities of United Women Banja Luka and Helsinki Citizens Assembly Banja Luka, in cooperation with partner organizations throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina
 
22 November 2007 - Modrica, Round Table "Financing of the Safe Houses in RS - Legal Obstacles and How to Solve Them", news reports at Radio Television of RS, and daily newspapers "Glas Srpske" and "Euroblic";
 
Announcement of 16 Days of Activism in Morning Program of Radio "UNO" Banja Luka;
 
23 November 2007 - Bijeljina, Round Table "Financing of the Safe Houses in RS - Legal Obstacles and How to Overcome Them";
 
Radio Television of RS Morning Program related to 16 Days of Activism;
 
24 November 2007 - Daily newspapers "Glas Srpske" and "Euroblic" reports "More Money for the Safe Houses" and news about the Round Table held in Bijeljina;
 
Radio Television of RS - Program "Woman Today" - Announcement of 16 Days of Activism, with focus on violence against women;
 
26 November 2007 - Banja Luka, Round Table "Prevention of Domestic Violence Through Legislative Solutions - Word of Judges and Prosecutors", Radio Television of RS presented the news report from the Round Table;
 
28 November 2007 - Morning Program of Radio "UNO" Banja Luka - topic: violence against women;
 
Radio Television of RS - Program "Info in Focus" - Topic: 16 Days of Activism, violence against women, and shleters for victims of violence in RS;
 
29 November 2007 - Alternative Television Banja Luka - Program "Mosaic" - Topic: violence against women;
 
Radio Television of RS - "Panorama of Banja Luka" - Topic: safe house, and daily newspapers "Blic" text "Need for More Safe Houses for Women Victims of Violence in Republika Srpska";
 
30 November 2007 - Banja Luka, Round Table "Financing of the Safe Houses in RS - Legal Obstacles and How to Overcome Them", news reports at Radio Television of RS;
 
1 December 2007 - Placing billboards aimed for prevention of violence against women in ten cities of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Bihac, Visegrad, Zenica, Bijeljina, Sarajevo, Gradiska, Modrica, Tuzla, Trebinje, Mostar and Banja Luka;
 
5 December 2007 - Public discussion "Woman Today", Topic: "Psychological Profile of Victims of Violence";
 
6 December 2007 - Radio Television of RS, news report related to 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence;
 
7 December 2007 - News report in Daily Newspaper "Fokus" - "Why to Suffer Violence";
 
10 December 2007 - Press Conference, Presentation of the legal framework for protection of victims of violence and presentation of field researches related to judicial practice and gender sensitive budgeting, poster campaign and street action - "16 Days of Activism - Stop Violence Against Women", distribution of leaflets;
 
Radio of Republika Srpska - Interview related to the International Human Rights Day, with focus on findings of the Study on implementation of Gender Equality Law of BiH in judicial practice;
 
RTRS Morning Program, End of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence.
 
Banja Luka, 4 December 2007
 
During 2007, United Women Banja Luka implemented the project with title "Initiative for Introducing Gender Sensitive Budgets in the Area of Domestic Violence on Local and Entity Level in Bosnia and Herzegovina."
 
The project is supported by UNIFEM, and United Women Banja Luka implemented it in cooperation with nongovernmental organizations "Buducnost" from Modrica and "Lara" from Bijeljina.
The key objective of the project is public advocacy for systemic solution of financing Safe Houses for women and children victims of domestic violence in Republika Srpska.
 
As the part of the project activities, partner organizations conducted the research and analysis of budgets of four institutions working in the area of social protection in Republika Srpska. Results of the research and analysis are published in the book with title "Opportunities and Challenges for Introducing Gender Sensitive Budgeting in the Area of Domestic Violence on Local and Entity Level in Bosnia and Herzegovina."
 
The book consists of three parts. The first chapter provides general information about situation related to protection of victims of domestic violence in Republika Srpska, need for existence of the Safe Houses, the basic information about the project and used methodology, as well as gender responsive budgeting. In the concluding part of this chapter, we offer recommendations for improving future work on protection of victims of domestic violence.
 
The second chapter provides detailed information acquired through analysis of the budgets and work of the Ministry of Health and Social Care of Republika Srpska and Centers for Social Work of Banja Luka, Modrica and Bijeljina. This is presented in order to enable better understanding of the context of work of the Ministry and local Centers for Social Work, and position of care for victims of domestic violence within the system of social care, overview of the key information about the Entity, and three targeted local communities, Ministry of Health and Social Care of RS, Centers for Social Work in Banja Luka, Bijleljina and Modrica, and three local NGOs that conducted the analysis of the budgets and have key role in protection of victims of domestic violence.
 
The third chapter provides the overview of all analyzed budgets and the questionnarie used for collecting additional information about methodology of development and women and men users of the public budgets of monitored institutions.
 
You can download the book under link publications
 
17 July 2007
 
For: Media
People's Assembly of Republika Srpska
Legislative Board
Board for Equal Possibilities
Ministry of Justice of Republika Srpska
Gender Center of RS Government
 
Respected Mr/Ms,
 
Republika Srpska is currently in the process of adopting Changes and ammendments of the Law for Protection from Domestic Violence, which is of great interest for all women and men citizens of Republika Srpska, and especially women and children, as the most frequent victims of domestic violence.
 
We are supporting adoption of the Changes and ammendments of the Law for Protection from Domestic Violence, but not with the provision that regulates domestic violence as minor offence. We believe that domestic violence, as the most severe form of violation of women's human rights must be sanctioned as criminal act.
 
On the public discussion held on 16 July 2007, with title "Who is Protected with the Law for Protection from Domestic Violence" organized by United Women Banja Luka and Helsinki Citizens Assembly Banja Luka, following conclusions were adopted:
 
1. We propose removing the articles that regulate and sanction domestic violence within minor offence procedure from the Draft Changes and Ammendments of the Law for Protection from Domestic Violence.
2. We propose that financing of the safe houses for temporary shelter of victims of domestic violence should be secured through the entity budget with 90% and municipality/city budgets with 10%.
3. We propose that placement of the victims of domestic violence in safe house should be done by police and/or authorized official from the center for social work.
4. We propose that maximal duation of accomodation of a victim in safe house should be extended in extreme situations for three months, or until ending of the judicial procedure and implementation of the court decision about protection measure against a perpetrator of domestic violence.
 
United Women Banja Luka and Helsinki Citizens Assembly Banja Luka also proposed and submitted precize ammendments on the Draft Changes and Ammendments of the Law for Protection from Domestic Violence.
 
Banja Luka, 6 July 2007
 
On its Session held on 25 June 2007, Board for Equal Possibilities of the People's Assembly of Republika Srpska adopted following conclusions related to the issue of financing safe houses in Republika Srpska:
 
1. Board for Equal Possibilities of the People's Assembly of Republika Srpska supportsthe initiative for finding solutions for systematic solving of the issue of financing safe houses in Republika Srpska.
 
2. The Board supports the proposal for having temporary solution for this and upcoming year, and financing safe houses in this period through budget reserves, meaning the public budget of Republika Srpska. Starting with 2009, the system for financing safe houses should be established through the budgets of local municipalities and public budget of Republika Srpska, in accordance with the numer of victims of domestic violence that are recorded in specific local communities.
The Board believes that nongovernmental organizations that are founders and owners of the safe houses should personally engage through their management, and ensure partial coverage of the financial costs for work of the safe houses through donations and engaging teams for volunteer work in the safe houses.
 
3. The Board recommends to the Ministry of Health and Social Care of RS to develop price list for services and standards for accomodation of the victims of violence in safe houses, in order to define precisely as much as possible the amount needed for the work of safe house, and all of this with the objective of better quality and more efficient services of the safe houses.
After developing the price list, it is recommended to the Ministry to cooperate with the Ministry of Finance of RS, Ministry of Family, Youth, and Sport of RS, and Ministry of Justice of RS, and define regional approach to this issue. The Board supports planned numer and period of opening the safe houses, with suggestion to adjust realization of this program with financial possibilities of Republika Srpska.
 
4. It is recommended to the Government of Republika Srpska, Ministry of Justice of RS, Ministry of Health and Social Care of RS, Ministry of Family, Youth, and Sport of RS, and Gender Center of RS Government to, as soon as possible, start with the activities of developing of medium term plan for fighting against domestic violence.
 
5. The Report about implemented Public Hearing will be sent to the Cabinet of the President of the People's Assembly of RS, Ministry of Justice of RS, Ministry of Health and Social Care of RS, Ministry of Finance of RS, Ministry of Family, Youth, and Sport of RS, citizens associations, institutions, and other participants in the Public Hearing.
 
6. At the end of 2007, the Board for Equal Possibilities will conduct analysis of the implementation of the conclusions related to the Public Hearing about financing of the safe houses.
 
 
Banja Luka, 11 June 2007
 
United Women Banja Luka and Helsinki Citizens Assembly Banja Luka initiated a need for organizing a public hearing in front of the Board for Equal Possibilities of the People's Assembly of Republika Srpska in relation to financing of the safe houses for victims of domestic violence in Republika Srpska.
After consultations with Nada Tesanovic, Vice President of the People's Assembly of Republika Srpska and Ivka Ristic, President of the Board for Equal Possibilities of the People's Assembly of RS, on 30 May 2007, Nada Golubovic, President of United Women Banja Luka presented to the Board members our reasons for organizing of public hearing.
 
Our reasons and recommendations:
 
1. Number of safe houses for victims of violence that Republika Srpska is able to financially support. Currently there are two safe houses for victims of domestic violence for which the Ministry of Health and Social Care of Republika Srpska issued approval, in Modrica and Banja Luka.
 
2. Number of safe houses for women victims of violence is a matter of good practice of each country. Recommendation of the Expert Group of Council of Europe is that one place in the safe house should exist per 7500 inhabitants, and one place per 10000 inhabitants as a minimum (Council of Europe 2000). European Network WAWE developed quality standards for shelters for victims of violence (WAWE 2004).
 
3. Considering a difficult material situation and much less financial possibilities of Republika Srpska, our recommendation is that Republika Srpska opens five shelters for victims of domestic violence in next five years, in the regions covered by regional public prosecutors' offices, as follows: Trebinje, Sarajevo, Bijeljina, and two already existing shelters in Modrica (for Doboj Region) and Banja Luka.
 
4. We recommend that fixed costs of the shelters for victims of violence should be financially covered through official budget on the entity level, and running costs per each beneficiary of the shelter should be covered through the budget of local communities of Republika Srpska.
Rationale: Majority of local communities in Republika Srpska has very low official budgets. We believe that proposed way of financing of the safe houses would enable Republika Srpska to respect the recommendations of the European Union. In this situation, local communities of RS would have much lower costs per each beneficiary of the safe house, which would result with their better protection.
 
Public hearing has been approved by the Board members, and scheduled for 18 June 2007 in Banja Luka.
 
Banja Luka, 7 June 2007
 
In period from April to December 2007, United Women Banja Luka is implementing the project "Initiative for Introducing Gender Budgeting in the Area of Domestic Violence on Local and Entity Level in Bosnia and Herzegovina", with support of UNIFEM. This project introduces gender sensitive budgeting in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
 
There are three planned phases of the project, as follows:
 
First phase includes monitoring of current budgets for 2007 of Centers of Social Work in Banja Luka, Modrica and Bijeljina. These local communities have the infrastructure, in terms of existing safe houses for women and children victims of domestic violence. Beside mentioned Centers, monitoring will also focus on the budget of the Ministry for Health and Social Care of Republika Srpska.
The objective of the monitoring is to gather information about how much local and entity authorities are allocating from the budget for men and women, and how much of allocated sources are dedicated for specific needs of women, having in mind the fact that safe houses are not financed from the official budgets.
Information gathered with this monitoring will be published in special publication.
In a second phase of the project, United Women Banja Luka will organize three workshops in order to present the acquired information to women representatives in the local assemblies of targeted cities and in the People's Assembly of Republika Srpska. Objective of the workshops is increasing sensitivity of women parliamentary representatives on local and entity level for the issue of gender insensitive budgeting, and pointing on need that the state should take over the responsibility for this type of social issues.
In final phase of the project, we planned to organize a conference that will gather women representatives of nongovernmental organizations from Bosnia and Herzegovina that have safe houses for women and children victims of violence, in order to introduce them with our model of lobbying for including costs of the safe houses in budgets on local and entity level.
 
Banja Luka 6 March 2007
 
On 20 February 2007, United Women Banja Luka and Helsinki Citizens Assembly Banja Luka submitted request to the Agency for Gender Equality of BiH for examining violations of Gender Equality Law in BiH in following cases:
 
1. Decision about issuing approval for candidates for Vice Chair of the Council of Ministers of BiH, ministers and deputy ministers in Council of ministers of BiH, adopted on 7 session, held on 31 January 2007.
 
2. Decision about confirmation of appointing of Vice Chair of the Council of Ministers, ministers and deputy ministers in Council of Ministers of BiH, adopted at 3 session of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
 
1. On its 7 session held on 31 January 2007, Central Election Commission of BiH examined and adopted the Decision about issuing confirmation for candidates for Vice Chair of Council of Ministers of BiH, ministers, and deputy ministers in Council of ministers of BiH, as follows: Vilim Primorac, Mijo Kresic, Safet Halilovic, Slavko Marin, Ana Trisic Babic, Selmo Cikotic, Marina Pendes, Barisa Colak, Niko Grubesic, Sredoje Novic, Tarik Sadovic, Anton Rill, Stanko Sliskovic, Perica Jelecevic, Sven Alkalaj, Dragan Vrankic, Srdjan Arnaut, Slobodan Puhalac, Fuad Kasumovic and Bozo Ljubic.
 
Rationale for decision states that there is no legal obstacle for performing the duty of ministers and deputy ministers in the case of listed candidates. With doing this, Central Election Commission of BiH violated the obligation of applying the Article 15. of the Gender Equality Law in BiH (Official Gazzette of BiH 16/6 2003), Paragraphs 1 and 3, as follows: Bodies of the state and local self-governance, managerial bodies of companies, political parties and other non profit organizations shall ensure and promote equal representation of men and women in the process of management and decision making.
In order to ensure equal representation of genders, percentage of women in governmental bodies on all levels including judiciary, the legislative and executive, as well as all other public offices, committees and boards, including participation in bodies representing the state internationally, shall, as a rule, reflect equal gender representation.
We believe that Central Election Commission of BiH selectivelly applied positive laws of BiH. In this case, the Commission was obliged to refuse confirmation to the candidates, since the proposed list of candidates does not even approximately reflect equal representation based on sex. The Commission was obliged to take a stand that there is legal obstacle for issuing such confirmation.
 
2. On its 3 session, held on 9 February 2007, House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH examined and adopted the Decision about confirmation of the appointment for above mentioned candidates in the Council of Ministers of BiH. With doing this, the House of Representatives in Parliamentary Assembly of BiH violated the same legal obligation presented above. We believe this state legislative body was obliged to refuse to confirm appointment of the candidates for Council of ministers of BiH, since the proposed list of candidates does not even approximately reflect equal representation based on sex. The House of Representatives in the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH was obliged to take a stand that there is a legal obstacle for confirming the appointments.
 
United Women and Helsinki Citizens Assembly Banja Luka requested from the Agency for Gender Equality of BiH to initiate the court procedure in both cases before the court with real and place jurisdication, based on violation of the Article 15. of Gender Equality Law in BiH.
 
Our two associations had warned mentioned institutions about possible violations of the Gender Equality Law in BiH prior it happened. As they remained blind to this fact, we have no other option but to request protection of the Law from the institutional mechanisms for gender equality in BiH on the state level and judicial institutions.
 
Banja Luka, 5 March 2007
 
In period from November 2006 until June 2007, United Women Banja Luka are implementing the project "Prevention of Trafficking of People in High Schools of Northwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina", with financial support of CRS Office in BiH.
We are implementing this project in 6 high schools in 6 municipalities of Northwestern BiH - Secondary Vocational and Technical School Gradiska, School Center Petar Kocic Srbac, Medical, Technological and Construction School Prijedor, Co-educational Secondary School Nikola Tesla Kozarska Dubica, Secnodary Vocational School Kostajnica and Grammar School in Novi Grad.
 
The objective of the project is education of boys and girls high school students about trafficking of people, especially about its forms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in order to give our contribution in prevention of trafficking of people, especially youth people. Workshop facilitators are Lana Jajcevic, Lawyer of United Women Banja Luka and Boris Ivanovic, Head of Regional Office of the State Agency for Security and Protection in BiH (SIPA). On this way, United Women Banja Luka are also improving cooperation with official institutions that are working on the issue of trafficking of people.
 
Since inception of the project activities until the end of February 2007, United Women Banja Luka organized 3 workshops in high schools in Gradiska, Srbac and Prijedor.
 
Participants of each workshop are 16 boys and girls high school students and their pedagogues. Workshop are organized to create possibilities for future peer education in these local communities about trafficking of people. Each school that participates in the project activities receives 450 copies of the commic book about trafficking of people in BiH that present 5 characteristic situations that potentially can lead to trafficking of people, and boys and girls high school students can face in their everyday life.
 
In upcoming three months, United Women Banja Luka will organize 3 workshops in high schools in Kostajnica, Novi Grad and Kozarska Dubica. As the final activity of the project, we will organize one public discusion with women and men representatives of civil society organizations and official institutions, in order to define future steps and concrete activities aimed for improving prevention of human trafficking in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also improving cooperation of nongovernmental organizations and governmental institutions in work on prevention of this issue.
 
Banja Luka, 12 February 2007
 
After nine years of lobbying and public advocacy efforts, United Women Banja Luka succeeded to secure initial financial support for running costs of the safe house/shelter for women and children victims of domestic violence in Banja Luka. Safe house is opened and ready to provide shelter for first women and children beneficiaries since Monday, 12 February 2007, thanks to the financial support of City Administration Banja Luka and Center for Social Work Banja Luka.
Staff of the safe house is made of four medical nurses, psychologist, social worker, and housekeeper. Legal assistance for women in need will also be provided through legal counseling and assistance. Center for Public Security Banja Luka agreed to provide police protection through regular field visits and monitoring, and urgent interventions on calls.
SOS telephones for women and children victims of violence on short number 1264 and 051 458 851 will stay operational every working day from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and duty shifts on weekends from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
 
Banja Luka, 8 February 2007
 
United Women Banja Luka
Helsinki Citizens Assembly Banja Luka
 
To: Chair of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of B&H
Clubs of Representatives in the House of Representatives of Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina
 
Cc: All media, Directors and Chief Editors
 
Subject: Open Letter to the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Related to Violation of Gender Equality Law in Bosnia and Herzegovina in Election Process for Council of Ministers of B&H
 
Since political parties that participated in proposing candidates for Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina violated the Article 15. of Gender Equality Law in B&H, we are using this opportunity to call you to vote against proposed composition of the Council of ministers of B&H.
 
We are asking you to demand from political parties to submit new proposal for male and female candidates, which will respect provisions of the B&H Constitution and Gender Equality Law in Bosnia and Herzegovina related to equal participation and representation of both sexes in executive governance of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
 
We are using this opportunity to remind you that Article 15 of the Gender Equality Law in B&H regulates obligation of respecting equal representation of men and women at all levels of governance, including executive governance on the state level in B&H. Beside that, numerous international conventions and documents ratified by B&H, and therefore obliged for implementation of their provisions are requesting respect of the principle of equality of sexes at all structures and levels of governance.
 
We are expecting that you will inform all women and men representatives in the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina with content of this letter, in order to enable them to make decision that will not violate Constitution of B&H, Gender Equality Law in B&H, as well as international obligations of Bosnia and Herzegovina under numerous conventions and documents.
 
With respect,
 
Nada Golubovic
President of the United Women Banja Luka
 
Lidija Zivanovic
Executive Director of the Helsinki Citizens Assembly Banja Luka
 
Banja Luka, 26 January 2007
 
For: Presidents of political parties
 
Union of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD)
Party of Democratic Action (SDA)
Party of Democratic Progress (PDP)
Party for B&H (SZBiH)
Croatian Democratic Community 1990 (HDZ 1990)
Croatian Democratic Community BiH (HDZ BiH)
People's Party Work for Betterment (NSRZB)
 
Cc: Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina
All media, Directors and Chief Editors
 
Subject: Public Protect in Relation to the Candidates for Council of Ministers of B&H and Call for Respect of the Gender Equality Law in Bosnia and Herzegovina
 
Dear Mr./Ms,
 
We want to express our public protest directed to all political parties that proposed candidates for Council of Ministers of B&H. When doing it, they again roughly violated Gender Equality Law in Bosnia and Herzegovina, adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina in June 2003.
 
We are using this opportunity to remind you that Article 15 of the Gender Equality Law in B&H regulates obligation of respecting equal representation of men and women at all levels of governance, including executive governance on the state level in B&H. Beside that, numerous international conventions and documents ratified by B&H, and therefore obliged for implementation of their provisions are requesting respect of the principle of equality of sexes at all structures and levels of governance.
 
We consider scandalous the fact that you, as the leaders of major political parties in B&H again turned deaf for respect of positive legal regulations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially in the period of negotiations for signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement of B&H with the European Union, when we are trying to present Bosnia and Herzegovina as the country that respects rule of law and democracy.
 
With your act, you also violated pre-election promises you gave to women as at least half of the voting body in B&H that you will advocate for rule of law and social and political progress of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
 
We are calling you to reconsider your decision, and propose equal number of female candidates for ministerial positions in the Council of ministers of B&H, in accordance with the Gender Equality Law in B&H.
 
Sincerely yours,
 
Nada Golubovic
President
 
 
CONTRIBUTION TO THE 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN 2006 - UNITED WOMEN BANJA LUKA

As in previous years, United Women Banja Luka supports the Global Campaign "16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women" through our activities on local level.

Although the Campaign officially starts on November 25 - the International Day of Fighting Against Violence Against Women, we started this year activities on November 15, 2006 with placing billboards on streets of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

We used this opportunity to present the campaign to women and men citizens of Banja Luka, and remind them on SOS telephone and safe house for women and children victims of domestic violence. Billboard campaign will last until December 15, 2006.

During this action, together with billboard campaign we also have poster and leaflet campaign, with the main objective of promoting SOS telephone and safe house for women and children victims of domestic violence, which will be opened soon in Banja Luka.

This year, leaflet campaign is territorially covering whole Bosnia and Herzegovina, as support to the local campaigns organized by our sister organizations throughout B&H, and to join our voice in order to increase public awareness about widespread issue of violence against women in our society.

To support this objective, we designed a leaflet with information about SOS telephones in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in order to make it useful resource and info for all women and men citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

We officially started our campaign with press conference organized on November 25, 2006 in the International Press Center in Banja Luka. We used this opportunity to inform women and men journalists and wide public with the campaign and our current activities aimed for prevention of domestic violence.We especially emphasized the data about received SOS calls for victims of violence during 2006, as well as the activities on opening of the safe house for women and children victims of domestic violence in Banja Luka region.

Participants at the press conference were members of United Women Banja Luka - Nada Golubovic, Amela Basic, and Aleksandra Radeta-Stegic, and Ljiljana Radovanovic representative of the City Administration Banja Luka, which supported our activities through identifying domestic violence as social issue, not private problem of a victim, which we consider as important success of our activities.


Overview of the Activities of United Women Banja Luka within the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women

1 December 2006 - On International Day of Fighting HIV/AIDS, we will contribute to the action of raising awareness about this issue, on invitation of the Association for Sexual and Reproductive Health "XY" from Sarajevo.
6 December 2006 - On International Day of Fighting Male Violence, we will organize public discussion "Discrimination of Women and Human Rights - From Local to Global Issue" with Snjezana Savic, Human Rights Expert, and Nikola Dorontic, Representative of the Center for Social Work Banja Luka, as the introductory expert speakers.

7 December 2006 - We will organize round table "Discrimination and Marginalization of Women in Politics", as one of the important fields of social life where we face violations of women's human rights everyday.

8 December 2006 - In the eve of 10 December, International Human Rights Day, we will organize press conference in Banja Luka, with focus on marginalization of youth people and women.

9 December 2006 - Also in the eve of the International Human Rights Day, we will organize TV program with Snjezana Savic, Professor of the Law School in Banja Luka, Nikola Dorontic from the Center for Social Work Banja Luka, and Aleksandra Radeta -Stegic, Member of United Women Banja Luka. TV Program will focus on the areas of violation of women's human rights, and will provide the overview of activities implemented by United Women Banja Luka and other nongovernmental organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the part of 16 Days of Activism Campaign in 2006.


 
2007 United Women, Banja Luka, BiH. All rights reserved.