“A Woman Is Not a Target!” initiative fights gender violence in Bosnia - EXCLUSIVE

CE Report presents an exclusive interview with the Mayor's Office of the municipality of Hadžići, Bosnia and Herzegovina, shedding light on its objectives, implementation, and impact on empowering girls and women to combat gender-based and digital violence in the local community.

What were the main objectives of the initiative “A Woman Is Not a Target!” and what specific problems in the local community did it seek to address?

The initiative “A Woman Is Not a Target!” was implemented with the aim of empowering girls and women in the fight against gender-based violence, with a particular focus on the increasingly prevalent forms of violence in the digital space. The project was launched in response to the growing problem of online harassment, hate speech, stereotypes, and threats targeting girls and women, as well as the insufficient awareness of rights and protection mechanisms.

Through educational and practical activities, the initiative aimed to raise awareness about what gender-based and digital violence is, how to recognize it, and how to respond. Special emphasis was placed on strengthening personal safety, self-confidence, and enabling participants to use available institutional and legal protection mechanisms.

Which institutions and organizations were involved in implementing the initiative, and what role did the Municipality of Hadžići play in supporting it?

The organizer and implementer of the “A Woman Is Not a Target!” initiative was the Association for Cooperation and Community Improvement, with financial support from the Institute for Youth Development KULT and the Municipality of Hadžići. The implementation of activities also involved professional facilitators and trainers who worked directly with project participants through educational and practical workshops.

The role of the Municipality of Hadžići went beyond financial support, providing logistical and institutional backing for the project. The municipality supported the initiative by providing space for the workshops, access to available resources, and backing activities aimed at preventing violence and empowering girls and women in the local community. In this way, the Municipality of Hadžići reaffirmed its commitment to supporting projects that contribute to a safer and more equitable society.

How were young people engaged in the project, and what concrete protection or reporting mechanisms were presented to them?

Young people were involved in the project both as organizers and participants, given that the initiative was implemented by a youth association. Through educational workshops, they were introduced to forms of gender-based and digital violence, as well as concrete protection and reporting mechanisms.

Participants were informed about options for reporting violence to relevant authorities, privacy protection, online safety, and ways to react promptly and seek help for themselves and others.

Has the municipality observed any measurable impact or feedback from the community following the implementation of the initiative?

Following the implementation of the initiative, participants and the community provided highly positive feedback. Participants highlighted that the project helped them gain new knowledge, increase their sense of safety and self-confidence, and better understand how to recognize and report violence.

Although formal quantitative indicators were not collected, qualitative feedback, messages of support, and interest in similar activities indicate a clear positive impact of the initiative and the need for its continuation.

Are there plans to continue, expand, or institutionalize similar programs in Hadžići or other municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

There are clear plans for the continuation and development of similar programs. The Association for Cooperation and Community Improvement intends to continue implementing projects focused on the prevention of violence and the empowerment of girls and women, with the support of the Municipality of Hadžići.

The goal is to expand activities, strengthen the continuity of such initiatives, adapt them to the needs of the local community, and explore the possibility of applying similar models in other municipalities across Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Photo: FENA

This interview was prepared by Julian Müller