Europe Director reflects on tackling gender-based violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina

16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence campaign was an opportunity for Europe Director Victoria Billing to write her reflections on tackling gender-based violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The UK Government has for many years striven to contribute across the world to the equality and safety of women and girls, their economic, political and social empowerment, and the creation of equal opportunities for all. As a diplomat, and a woman who has been able to benefit from equal opportunities to progress in the UK's diplomatic service, whenever the opportunity arises, I stress how gender equality is fundamental for the democratic and economic development of every country. It is not a secondary step in the progress of a country, it is crucial, and a key indicator of the respect for democratic norms in a society. A country can only realise its full potential with the participation of all its population, rather than half; one gender or the other.

This week, I am once again in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) attending the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council. Once again, this meeting falls during the Campaign of 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence against women. As part of the global campaign which takes place annually from the 25 November to the 10 December, the UK values the opportunity to stand up for all those who face gender-based violence, wherever they are. We recognise that gender-based violence blights all societies and manifests in different ways. Gender-based violence is used to silence women, and their exclusion from decision-making makes achieving change harder.

Last year, when I was in BiH, I had the opportunity to talk to some inspirational women addressing the issue of gender-based violence against women, and also to hear how the UK Government is supporting your country in this field. I heard some shocking research results when it comes to the crime of femicide; and learnt about some of the prejudices and limitations women encounter in their work. But I also talked to inspiring, socially and politically active women from the Brčko District of BiH and heard about some of the positive initiatives of local authorities supporting safe houses in BiH. Such initiatives are hugely encouraging, and the UK Government will continue to support projects that empower survivors.

BiH has, of course, signed up to many international standards such as the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention), and the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Additionally, there are laws at different levels of government that seek to prevent violence against women and gender-based discrimination.

However, unless fully implemented, these agreements will not deliver their intended effect. In the first eight months of this year, the OSCE reported that eight women and two children were killed in Bosnia and Herzegovina due to gender-based violence. It is likely that the true numbers are higher because many cases of gender-based violence may be recorded as different types of crimes, or not at all. This is particularly the case with femicide. Last year, I spoke about the need to change the laws in such a way that they clearly define femicide. At the end of last year, in a welcome move the Republika Srpska Parliament adopted a draft of a new ‘Law on Protection from Domestic Violence', which included a definition of femicide. But the reaction of certain social structures that opposed this law led to the withdrawal of the draft from procedure. To date, this law has not been sent to the second phase of approval and the legal deadline expired in May. No one knows why this happened, because the public has not been informed.

In an important step this November, an initiative by a group of non-governmental organisations from the Federation of BiH to amend the Criminal Code in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) to include a definition of aggravated murder of a woman was successful and the new version of the FBiH Criminal Code will soon be presented to parliamentarians. The adoption and implementation of domestic legislation that supports the international standards BiH has signed up to would be a strong signal to abusers and to the rest of the world that BiH will not let gender-based violence go unpunished.

In the same way that legislation matters, so too does it matter that we all – men and women - call out gender-based violence whenever we see it. This is a global problem we all face. BiH as much as anywhere. Almost every femicide can be prevented, because femicide is almost always preceded by long-term abuse. Data for BiH tells us that half of all women and girls over 15 in BiHexperience some form of gender-based violence. Does anyone have the right to remain silent when it is so clear that, at any time, each of us or our loved ones could be exposed to this form of violence? I don't think so.

Last year, I spoke about how important it is to change the public discourse on gender-based violence. And this year I must emphasise it again, because only if we change the way society thinks about gender-based violence will we be able collectively to influence and truly change the institutional response to violence.

It is important to reiterate that violence against women and girls is not a private matter, it is not based on traditional and family values. Gender-based violence is a crime that threatens the security, integrity, progress and even lives of the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We know that violence against women and girls is hidden by wider and mundane forms of discrimination. That's why it matters to call inequality out when you see it. All of us have a responsibility. This includes calling out gender stereotypes in courtrooms, classrooms, in the workplace, in the media, in politics. We need to tackle gender inequality at its very roots.

That's why the UK continues to support a variety of efforts which tackle gender-based violence in BiH. With our partners in Trebinje, Zenica and Banja Luka, we continue to advocate for better legal aid and protection of victims of gender-based violence; in Banja Luka we counter the growing negative impact of legal attacks on the rights of women and the LGBT community; and in Sarajevo we are strengthening and supporting those organisations that have long been advocating for women's human rights and which are very often publicly exposed to criticism and even attacks. We also continue to support our partners' efforts to empower women to participate in politics and business, and efforts to reduce hate speech against women in public spaces.

The UK remains committed to supporting efforts to put an end to gender-based violence at home, across the world, and in BiH. I ask that we all remember to call out gender imbalances when we see them no matter how small they may seem. The campaign lasts 16 days, but ensuring women and girls have life, security and equal opportunities lasts 365 days and requires everyone to take responsibility, without exception.