On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, the European Union Heads of Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina underline that equality between women and men is one of the European Union’s founding values. It goes back to 1957 when the principle of equal pay for equal work became part of the Treaty of Rome and laid down in the Treaty of Lisbon. It is widely acknowledged that Gender Equality is not only crucial in itself but is a fundamental human right and a question of social justice. Furthermore, Gender Equality is essential for economic growth and poverty reduction. It is both a right and an obligation under international human rights law, embodied in CEDAW and various international conventions to which BiH is a signatory, as well as in the Action Plan of BiH for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325.

In this context, the European Union Heads of Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina today urge the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina to fully embrace the principle of equality between women and men and to respect, protect and promote women’s civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights as well as promote inclusion of women in access to employment and social protection mechanisms. Gender concerns should be integrated into laws, policies and programs in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina should strive to provide women with access to economic opportunities, to ensure their equal participation in political processes and public life, repeal laws and practices that continue to discriminate against them and ensure that homes, offices, streets and schools are safe for women and girls.

The EU Heads of Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina also encourage the relevant authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to take rigorous action against violence against women, and to sign and ratify the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence without delay. As many as one in three women in Bosnia and Herzegovina report having experienced physical violence at some point in their lifetime, and many cases of violence go unreported.

The EU Heads of Mission also reiterate the importance of further enhancing the judicial structures that will provide an effective recourse to women who have been victim of domestic violence, trafficking in human beings and war crimes, and that all these institutions have adequate financial and human resources to fulfil their tasks.

The EU Heads of Mission remind of the importance to continue with execution of the Action Plan for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in BiH for 2010-2013. We encourage the relevant BiH authorities to continue to work together in addressing the objectives set therein, such as: increasing of women’s participation at all levels of decision making; ensuring gender perspective and training in peace development, addressing women’s protection and raising awareness of gender in security sector.