Gender-Based Violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Silence That Endangers Lives

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 helplines received over 17,000 calls in the past three years, highlighting 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 is a life, a family, and a community suffering the consequences. Survivors move forward with scars that society rarely sees, while those who did not survive become part of a grim statistic that remains unchanged.

The judicial system and legal framework in Bosnia and Herzegovina face serious challenges in protecting victims of gender-based violence, further complicated by fragmented jurisdiction between the entities and 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 legislation, resulting in lenient sentences for perpetrators. The consequences of femicide affect not only the victims but also their children, who, after the murder of their mother, are left without a safe family environment. Many children end up in the social protection system, in orphanages, or with foster families, facing severe trauma and an uncertain future. At the same time, children are often not recognized as victims requiring special protection, and psychosocial programs in such cases are rare and not adapted to children with traumatic experiences, leaving them without adequate support in their recovery process.

A report from the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina submitted to the Lanzarote Committee provides a crucial warning about how the system fails to adequately protect children from violence. Many children do not know whom to turn to when they experience violence because they lack a 'circle of trust'—a network of people they trust and who can protect them. These are usually parents, siblings, teachers, school counselors, and friends—people who should be the first point of contact when seeking help. Moreover, many children do not perceive institutions such as schools, the police, or social work centers as safe places where they can seek assistance. Instead of support, they often encounter distrust, misunderstanding, or fear of further stigmatization, preventing them from reporting violence.

One way to improve the protection system is to listen to the voices of young people. According to data from UNICEF's U-Report survey on gender-based violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which included 325 young people, mostly women (69%) and youth aged 15 to 25, more than 58% of respondents believe that education is key to preventing violence, while only 14% emphasized the importance of improving legal frameworks. These numbers reveal significant systemic challenges—educational institutions rarely address this issue because it is considered "too sensitive," teachers are not trained to lead these discussions, and many young people feel there is not enough interest in the topic. But can silence ever be justified when we know how many women and children are affected by this issue?

For many, March 8th is an opportunity to speak about equality and the rights of women and girls, but the real question is: what do 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, immediate protective measures enforced by the police, a free 24/7 SOS hotline, stricter penalties—up to 3 years in prison for violating protective measures, 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 impact, its consistent implementation and coordination among institutions must be ensured.

If we truly want to address gender-based violence, systemic changes are necessary. Femicide should be legally recognized as a specific criminal offense, penalties for perpetrators must be stricter, and children who survive trauma need institutional support. Comprehensive educational programs are needed to empower young people to recognize and prevent violence, along with improved access to 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 staying silent and start acting.