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“The EU supported the ‘Men Against Violence’ initiative in BiH: Emphasis on the role of men in combating gender-based violence”

by AI | 14.Nov 2024 | Europe in brief AI

The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in cooperation with UNFPA and UN Women, organized the event “Men Against Violence” to highlight the role of men as allies in the fight against gender-based violence and gender inequality. The event emphasized the need for men’s engagement in breaking stereotypes and promoting gender equality, with the support of the European Union and UN agencies addressing issues of discrimination and violence against women in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

event "Men Against Violence" held at Europe House in Sarajevo. (Photo: FENA/Hazim Aljović)

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Sarajevo, (Fena) – The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Agency for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), organized the event “Men Against Violence” held at the Europe House in Sarajevo.

A dialogue “Men as Drivers of Change: Facing Gender Inequality and Gender-Based Violence” was opened, and the aim was for participants to emphasize how men can be key allies in the social fight against gender-based and all other forms of violence, especially violence against women.

On the eve of the gathering, the Minister of Labor and Social Policy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Adnan Delić, emphasized that it is very important to talk about this topic, and even more important that men speak about it.

– I think it is very important that we establish legislative frameworks, with what gender equality means, for the benefit of our society. In the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, with our partners and, above all, with the United Nations agencies and today with the representatives of the European Union Delegation, we are trying – primarily to confront certain stereotypes that prevail in our society, and we want to break these stereotypes with everything we do; to carry out certain activities and with safe houses operating at the level of the Federation of BiH in order to break certain stereotypes when it comes to gender-based violence, equality of women in our society – said Delić to the journalists.

The Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Adebayo Babajide, thanked on behalf of the European Union for organizing today’s gathering and emphasized that gender-based violence and inequalities are a big problem in society, which women are primarily fighting against, while neglecting that men and boys can be important drivers of positive change in this segment.

The European Union provides support to Bosnia and Herzegovina within numerous projects, implementing them together with local partners and international organizations. This is support related to the monitoring and reporting on issues of discrimination and gender inequality.

– Likewise, with partners from the United Nations, we are discussing a new project that will focus on fighting gender-based violence, supporting safe houses, and empowering women. At the same time, it is very important that gender equality issues are part of public policies – said Babajide on the eve of the gathering, calling for the Federal Parliament to approve appropriate amendments to the Criminal Code and legislation on protection from domestic violence and violence against women.

Support from men is crucial in the fight against gender-based violence and achieving gender equality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the main message of the gathering.

Violence against women and girls is a serious problem in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Almost half of women (48 percent) have experienced some form of violence, including in partner relations and from other perpetrators, stalking, and sexual harassment since the age of 15, according to research conducted in 2019 by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). (14.11)

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