EUSR Wigemark and Swedish Ambassador to BiH Hagelberg launch initiative on participation of women in change in BiH

Women from different walks of life from across Bosnia and Herzegovina participated in the launch of the EU-supported initiative “Include Women in Processes of Change”, held on 13 December in Sarajevo.

At the first roundtable under this initiative, participants discussed the right and access to work, sharing experiences and stances on issues such as discrimination in the workplace, support for entrepreneurs and unpaid care work.

EU Special Representative and Head of the EU Delegation to BiH Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark and Ambassador of Sweden to BiH Anders Hagelberg took part in a panel discussion which stressed the need for more participation and consultation of women in socio-political life.

“The EU is strongly committed to gender equality. Gender equality is a core value of the EU and is enshrined within the EU legal and political framework,” Ambassador Wigemark stated, also emphasising the need to implement gender equality legislation within the EU integration process.

Participants of the roundtable pointed to the need for reforms in the country to take into account the needs of both women and men.

Discussions continued today with a roundtable on right and access to health care and social protection, including issues such as parental leave, sexual and reproductive health rights, and social protection for women with disabilities.

“Include Women in Processes of Change” is a joint initiative of the EU Special Representative in BiH, SIDA and the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation. Findings of the initiative will be shared with BiH officials and leaders of all political parties ahead of the 2018 General Elections.

Europa.ba