/ cfd Projects in Bosnia-Herzegovina

In Sanski Most cfd supports a project for the reconstruction of society, developed by women. Its starting point is an awareness of social rupture and the individual suffering caused by war and by the changing social and economic systems. This project focuses on the networks between people.

Economic and Political Empowerment

Many women in Bosnia-Herzegovina are still primarily concerned with material survival. Women's organisations are responding to this problem with projects that generate incomes, concentrating on marginalised women. The organisations are becoming more active on a political level and joining forces to add weight to their demands for legal and social security. Thanks to pressure exerted by women's organisations and the international community, the government passed a law addressing gender equality in 2003. Sadly, the implementation of the new law is slow. With the growing public awareness of gender issues and aided by social reform, groups and networks are taking shape that work together to lobby and campaign, and to monitor the implementation of the new laws.

Woman-Friendly Reforms

Due to the war, the political changes dictated by the Dayton Agreement, as well as the transition to a market economy, the pre-war social structures have practically collapsed. Diverging regulations and a lack of communication between cantons and municipalities have turned social welfare structures into a confusing mass of regulations. The access of women to these resources is made even more difficult by discriminating regulations and practices. Taking advantage of the social reforms, cfd partner organisations are working with other women's NGO's to lessen the political and structural barriers that discriminate against women.