The focus of this year’s campaign “16 days of activism against gender-based violence” is on digital violence against women and girls, which is rapidly spreading and leaves numerous consequences for survivors.
Although violence in the online sphere can seriously damage the health and daily functioning of the person who survives it, there is still no developed institutional support system in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and society still underestimates this form of violence, it was said today at the panel discussion “Safe digital spaces: How Bosnia and Herzegovina can stop online violence”.
With a panel discussion in Sarajevo, this year’s campaign started, which is jointly implemented by UN Women, UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF in partnership with the BiH Gender Equality Agency of the BiH Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees and civil society organizations. The campaign is carried out through the joint program Gender Equality Accelerator (GEA) in partnership with the European Union, Sweden and Denmark, within the framework of cooperation of the United Nations with the institutions of BiH with the aim of achieving gender equality and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Aligning BiH with international standards, especially the Istanbul Convention, remains a priority, as does strengthening the capacity of all institutions that work to prevent and process violence against women. The specialized support that BiH must provide includes safe protection, psychological and legal assistance, and effective channels for reporting both online and offline violence, said the Agency for Gender Equality of BiH.
“We welcome the fact that entity legislators have introduced criminal offenses related to the sharing of intimate content without consent, but it is necessary to continue work on regulating other forms of digital violence – such as online threats, online stalking and manipulation of falsely created digital content,” said Samra Filipović-Hadžiabdić, director of the Agency.
Around the world, 117 countries have adopted various measures to prevent digital violence, but harmful narratives and reduced support for women’s NGOs are slowing this process.
“Violence against women supported by technologies is real and serious, as well as the consequences it leaves. As we open this year’s campaign, we call for greater protection in the online sphere, strengthening of support services and coordinated cooperation between institutions. Every other woman in Bosnia and Herzegovina has experienced violence – this is data that requires an immediate response. The United Nations supports Bosnia and Herzegovina in creating safe digital spaces and ensuring that every woman and girl lives without violence,” said Arnhild Spence, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in BiH.
The Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Adebayo Babajide, said that the European Union will continue to work on the prevention of gender-based violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“We recently entered into a partnership with the agencies UN Women, UNDP, UNICEF and UNFPA, securing 7.5 million euros that will be directed to solving the root of the problem of gender-based violence in BiH, but also to direct assistance to safe houses and survivors. We invest in the economic empowerment of women so that they have economic independence from abusers. I think it is good that during this conference the focus was placed on the fight against gender-based violence in the online sphere, indicating that the digital space can be a great facilitator of violence against women,” said Babajide.
Ambassador of Denmark to BiH Age Sandal Moller said that this country remains a committed partner of BiH in efforts to improve the protection of women and girls from all forms of violence.
“At a time when we are increasingly facing challenges in the digital space, it is important to work together to create an environment in which women and girls can participate freely and without fear. During the 16 days of activism, we confirm our readiness to continue supporting institutions and civil society in these important efforts,” said Ambassador Moller.
During this year’s “16 days of activism against gender-based violence” campaign, the organizers announced events in Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Bijeljina, Mostar, East Sarajevo, Tuzla and Brčko, and citizens will be able to attend public discussions, art exhibitions and performances, as well as promotions of publications on the topic of protection from gender-based violence.
