UNICEF in Bosnia and Herzegovina

UNICEF in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina

 

UNICEF in Bosnia and Herzegovina

© UNICEF BiH/2005

A teacher encourages participation in the child-friendly classroom in Kiseljak, Central Bosnia

The inclusion of all children, young people and women in the provision of basic education, health and child protection services is at the centre of UNICEF’s work in this country. We work to ensure children’s and women’s increased and genuine participation in decisions affecting their lives.

For the period from 2005 to 2008, UNICEF in BIH focuses on supporting the Government in meeting its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women.

In partnership with the Government and NGOs, United Nations agencies and donors, the UNICEF Country Programme seeks to achieve three major outcomes:

• policy makers and community representatives will provide leadership in developing national policies that further the realization of the rights of children, young people and women;
• service providers and caregivers will adopt behaviours that facilitate access to education, health and child protection services for the most vulnerable; and
• policy makers and community representatives will encourage and facilitate the meaningful participation of children and young people in their communities, including in addressing the risk of landmines.

© UNICEF/Bosnia and Herzegovina/2005

Boys involved in discussion during the mine-awareness workshop in Eastern Bosnia

The 2005-2008 Country Programme focuses on strengthening the capacities of the Government, communities and caregivers to address social exclusion and its effects on children, young people and women. Through awareness-raising, families, young people and communities are encouraged to participate in improving delivery and coverage of services. Gender equality is promoted as a cross-cutting strategy, linking the promotion of children’s and women’s rights.

UNICEF promotes the principles of non-discrimination and social inclusion in all its advocacy programmes, working with policy makers, service providers, community leaders, and families.

UNICEF sponsors research and analysis to assess the impact of transition and social and economic reform, including the impact of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), on social exclusion. UNICEF supported research strengthens the evidence base of government policy development and programmes. The Country Programme enhances the institutional capacities of the government to establish national minimum standards related to children’s and women’s rights and wellbeing, and mechanisms for quality assurance, monitoring and reporting against these standards.

At the municipal level, best practices of multisectoral coordination are being developed to improve education, health care and child protection services, and to influence national policy development and implementation. Support for strengthening regulatory frameworks and developing professional capacities is improving coordination among and increased accountability of service providers, including NGOs and the private sector. Support for the participation of civil society is strengthening advocacy for children and women’s rights and redress in case of violations.

Capacity-building for NGOs and civil society organizations (CSOs) enhances their skills and competencies in negotiation, articulation of demand for services and monitoring. The principles of social inclusion and non-discrimination are being strengthened through promoting responsibility of the media and by creating enabling environments for children and young people to participate in schools and communities.