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Gender-responsive policy practice in the field of migrations in BiH

Primary GCM Objectives

GCM Guiding Principles*

*All practices are to uphold the ten guiding principles of the GCM. This practice particularly exemplifies these listed principles.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Dates

2003 - 2027

Geographic scope

Country:

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Regions:

Europe

Sub Regions:

Eastern Europe
,
Southern Europe

Summary

The practice began by pointing out the special needs and vulnerability of migrants, women and children, and the importance of targeted actions and measures for their protection and integration into society, as well as the inclusion of gender equality topics in legal and strategic documents concerning the rights of migrants. Government institutions for gender equality at state and entity levels (Agency for Gender Equality of BiH of the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of BiH, Gender Centre od Federation of BiH, and Gender Centre of Republika Srpska) provide expert support in inclusion of gender equaity issues in strategies, policies and programmes related to migrations in BiH. Key financial resources for the implementation of strategies and policies are combined from the regular budget of institutions and donor funds. The Gender Action Plan of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the period 2023-2027 includes the cross-cutting area: improvement of the position of multiple marginalized groups of women and men, and especially protection against all forms of violence against persons on the move, that is, migrants. The Action Plan for Implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 "Women, peace and security" in Bosnia and Herzegovina contains measures to improve a gender-responsive approach in the conditions of current security threats and challenges, which include migration. The Strategy in the Field of Migration and Asylum for the period 2021 - 2025, and its Action Plan (2021. – 2025) of the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, contains a number of measures and activities to improve the mechanisms of protection of vulnerable groups of migrants and asylum seekers, especially women and minors, as well as persons without parental care (including the adoption of guidelines and training of officials for dealing with vulnerable categories of migrants and asylum seekers, improvement of shelter conditions, etc.). The Minister of Security adopted the Training Program in the field of migration and asylum 2022-2025. which contains several thematic units dedicated to dealing with vulnerable categories.

Benefit and Impact

Bosnia and Herzegovina shows a clear commitment to a gender-responsive approach to migration issues through strategic documents and policies. This is a continious process where the dates of implementation are not applicable. In the process of increased migration movements in the period from 2018 to today, Bosnia and Herzegovina paid significant attention to issues of gender equality in various areas of migration management. When drafting laws and by-laws, especially amendments to the Law on Aliens in BiH, as well as drafting of the Rulebook on Temporary Reception Centers for Migrants by the Ministry of Security of BiH, attention was paid to gender-sensitive approach, respect and special care for different needs of man and woman. Among other things, during the Programming within the EU Financial Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA; recent programming for the period 2025-2027), implementation and monitoring of gender equality issues were highlighted among significant aspects of migration management.
Under the project "Facilitating access to information and justice for migrant women in BiH", the NGO „Center for Women's Rights“ Zenica developed easy to read- and –easy to use- material intended to familiarize migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina with a range of basic rights. It was developed to contribute to better informing migrants about their rights, but also to overall efforts for early recognition and prevention of violence against migrant women in centers. This set of materials has been prepared in the languages Urdu, Pashto, Arabic and Persian.

Key Lessons

Due to the still insufficient systemic protection, a large part of care and support for migrants is carried out by international and non-governmental organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As the government institution, the Agency for Gender Equality of BiH of the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of BiH (AGE BIH/MHRR BIH) cooperates with international and non-governmental organizations and, according to available human and financial resources, provides support to non-governmental organizations.

For example, AGE BIH/MHRR BIH, supported the project entitled "Facilitating access to information and justice for migrant women in BiH" of the NGO „Center for Women's Rights“ Zenica. A short guide to the basic rights of migrants and an overview of competent institutions and organizations that provide support and assistance to competent authorities in the care of migrants was created. The guide was translated into Urdu, Pashto, Arabic and Persian Languages, printed in the form of two-page leaflets and distributed in migrant centers.

In cooperation with the NGO „BiH Women's Initiative“, AGE BIH/MHRR BIH organized a meeting with international organizations that work with migrant women. In the exchange of information and mapping of problems, and in accordance with the Istanbul Convention, the issue of prevention of gender-based violence against migrant women was raised. It was highlighted that the biggest problem is the violence that takes place outside the reception centers for migrants. The issue of prevention was emphasized, and solutions for accommodation of migrant women victims of violence were discussed. The Protocol of the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina was drawn up in order to provide accommodation for migrant women who are victims of violence in the reception center Salakovac.

Recommendations(if the practice is to be replicated)

The main recommendation is: inclusion of gender equality and specific needs of migrant women in laws, national strategies for gender equality, and other strategies in the field of migration, as well as in the programs and policies in this area.

Innovation

The fact that these are systemic interventions within the BiH strategies, policies and public measures to include gender equality principles the field of migration contributes to the sustainability of these practices.

Date submitted:

06 March 2025

Disclaimer: The content of this practice reflects the views of the implementers and does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations, the United Nations Network on Migration, and its members.

 

 

*References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).