Sarajevo, 7.3.2025.
Every month in 2024, one woman in Bosnia and Herzegovina lost her life due to gender-based violence. At the same time, SOS lines for reporting violence received over 17,000 calls in the last three years, showing how deeply rooted the problem is and how many women seek help in silence. While this issue is often recognized in statistics, behind every number lies a life, a family, and a community suffering the consequences. Survivors continue with scars that society rarely sees, while those who did not survive have become part of a grim, unchanging statistic.
The judicial system and legislative framework in Bosnia and Herzegovina face serious challenges in protecting victims of gender-based violence, further complicated by the fragmentation of jurisdiction between the entities and the Brčko District, leading to inconsistent application of laws and protective measures. Femicide, as the most extreme form of violence against women, is not adequately recognized in the legislation, resulting in lenient punishments for perpetrators. The consequences of femicide do not only affect the victims but also their children, who are left without a safe family environment after their mother is killed. Many children end up in the social welfare system, in homes for uncared-for children, or with foster families, while confronting severe trauma and an uncertain future. At the same time, children are often not recognized as victims needing special protection, and psychosocial programs in such cases are rare and not adapted to children with traumatic experiences, leaving them without adequate support in the recovery process.
A report by the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Lanzarote Committee brings a key warning about how the system fails to adequately protect children from violence. Many children do not know who to turn to when they experience violence because they have not built a “circle of trust”—a network of people they trust who can protect them. These are most often parents, siblings, teachers, school pedagogues, and friends—people who should be the first points of contact for seeking help. Furthermore, many children do not see institutions like schools, police, or social work centers as safe places where they can seek help. Instead of support, they often encounter distrust, misunderstanding, or fear of further stigmatization, which prevents them from reporting violence.
One way to improve the protection system is to listen to the voice of young people. According to data from a UNICEF U-Report survey on gender-based violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in which 325 young people participated, mostly women (69%) and youth aged 15 to 25, more than 58% of respondents believe that education is key to violence prevention, while only 14% highlighted the importance of improving legal frameworks. These numbers speak volumes about the systemic challenges—educational institutions rarely address this topic because it is “too sensitive,” teachers are not trained to lead these discussions, and many young people believe there is insufficient interest in the topic. But can there be an excuse for silence when we know how many women and children are affected by this problem?
For many, March 8th is an opportunity to talk about gender equality and the rights of women and girls, but the real question is what we do after that day. The House of Peoples of the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina recently unanimously adopted the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence and Violence Against Women, which strengthens protective mechanisms against violence. The new law introduces: electronic monitoring of perpetrators with restraining orders, immediately applicable protective measures enforced by the police, a free 24/7 SOS phone line, harsher penalties—up to 3 years in prison for violating protective measures, and comprehensive support for survivors, including medical, psychological, and legal assistance. This is a crucial step forward in ensuring safety, justice, and support for survivors of violence. However, for the law to have a real effect, it is necessary to ensure its consistent implementation and coordination between institutions.
If we want to seriously confront gender-based violence, systemic changes are required. Femicide should be legally recognized as a separate criminal offense, punitive measures for perpetrators must be stricter, and children experiencing trauma need to be provided with regular institutional support. Comprehensive educational programs are needed to empower young people to recognize and prevent violence, as well as the improvement of available services for survivors, including psychological and legal support.
Every child, every woman, and every citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina deserves a society where violence is unacceptable, and protection and justice are accessible to all. It is time to stop being silent and start acting.