The Foundation “United Women Banja Luka” has been active in the field of preventing and combating gender-based violence against women since its establishment in 1996.
The Program includes
Public advocacy and raising public awareness about all forms of violence against women, conducting research with a focus on violence within families and other forms of violence in public and private life, both independently and in collaboration with other non-governmental organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the region, and at the international level.
Monitoring laws and public policies at all levels in Bosnia and Herzegovina and advocating for the adoption of laws and public policies that prioritize the protection of women's rights to a life free from violence, as well as advocating for amendments to discriminatory legal provisions that neglect, violate, or undermine women's human rights in this area.
Monitoring the state of women's human rights and gender equality in the field of protecting women from gender-based violence by monitoring the work of government and public institutions at all levels in Bosnia and Herzegovina, preparing monitoring reports, as well as alternative reports to international mechanisms that monitor the situation in this field (CEDAW, Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, among others).
Providing continuous and gender-sensitive support and assistance to women and children who have survived violence through services such as helplines, legal and psychosocial support, and safe houses for women and children victims of violence.
Empowering the capacity of public officials and professionals who have obligations and authority to work on preventing and combating gender-based violence and supporting a multi-disciplinary approach.
Collaborating with other non-governmental organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the region, and at the international level in the field of preventing and combating gender-based violence.
COMING SOON
2020:
- Improving the position of women in employment and preventing gender-based discrimination in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as part of the “Improvement of Women’s Labour Rights” project funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
- “Bench of Peace,” supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
- “Improving the Prevention and Combating of Gender-Based Violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” supported by the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
- Resource Center for Socio-Economic Empowerment of Women.
2015 – 2017: Ensuring Access to Justice for Witnesses/Victims Through Strengthening Existing and Establishing New Networks of Support to Witnesses Throughout BiH, as the partner organization to NGO Vive žene Tuzla
2014 – 2016: Coordinated Efforts –Toward New European Standards in Protection of Women from Gender Based Violence, as the partner organization to the Autonomous Women’s Center from Belgrade
2013: Preventive Activities of Gender Based Violence in School
2012 – 2014: Coordinated Efforts –Toward New European Standards in Protection of Women from Gender Based Violence, as the partner organization to the Autonomous Women’s Center from Belgrade
2012: From the Law to Life Free from Violence for Women in BiH
2011, 2013 – 2014: Monitoring of Criminal Proceedings in the Area of Sexual and Gender Based Violence in BiH, in partnership with the Foundation Lara Bijeljina and the Center for Legal Assistance for Women Zenica
2009 – 2011:Empowering Women for Social Justice in BiH
2007 – 2012: Participation in the Mobile Team for Assistance and Support to Victims of Domestic Violence in family
2007: Initiative for Gender Responsible Budgeting in the Area of Domestic Violence at Local and Entity Level in BiH
2005 – 2010:Gender Equality in BiH: Informed Public Opinion and Gender Sensitive Media
2005: Protect Yourself – Action Against Trafficking of Children and Youth People in BiH
1997 – 2014:Woman and Law Today, in partnership with the Helsinki Citizens Assembly Banja Luka
1997: Contribution to the Campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina
1997: Participation in preparing the Alternative CEDAW Reports for BiH
