Background and information of the Projects: TPO Foundation (Transcultural Psychosocial Educational Foundation) advocates for gender equality, dialogue and peace through partnership of civil society, academic institutions and government. It stands for freedom of consciousness and thought, regardless of identity or affiliation.Bridging the gap between academic and activist, governmental and non-governmental and religious and non-religious worldviews, TPO is a leading organization in inclusive approaches to education for peace, gender equality and leadership. In the period from July 2021 till the end of May 2025, TPO Foundation will implement the project “University and Gender Mainstreaming” (UNIGEM). […]

In the month of March 2024, a student of the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Sarajevo, Lejla Mešanović from Ilijaš, held a series of activities within the project Introducing gender-conscious policies in higher education – UNIGEM. Lejla started her mini-project by showing the film “Girl Rising” to the students of the “Nedžad Ibrišimović” High School Center in Ilijaš. The film is about nine girls from nine countries: (Sierra Leone, Haiti, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Peru, Egypt, Nepal, India and Cambodia). Each girl had her own story written by a[…]

On Tuesday, April 9, a workshop titled “Gender equality: international documents and national legislation” was held at the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Banja Luka. The workshop was led by Prof. Dr Milena Karapetrović from the Department of Philosophy of the Faculty of Philosophy. This activity was part of the UNIGEM project. The workshop provided the students with the possibility to learn more about the theoretical and legal aspects of gender equality, the main international declarations, and the Law on Gender Equality of Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the[…]

Jasmina Husanović In Bosnia and Herzegovina, in all fields of action and in our everyday lives, we have been witnessing and resisting cascading crises for decades, whose dynamics are caused by both extreme and slow violence[1], including wartime and post-war, “post-Dayton” violence. However, its population, its people, are clear that war is not the only disaster that has befallen us, but it is the ethno-capitalist rule where life is governed through constant production of acute insecurity[2], through identity politics of fear behind which are human and social traumas, expropriations, and[…]

On Thursday, March 28, 2024, as part of the UNIGEM project, in cooperation with the TPO Foundation, the University Gender Resource Center (UNIGeRC) and the Faculty of Agriculture and Food (PPF) in Sarajevo, a workshop was held for students and teaching staff, titled ‘Gender equality in the sector of agriculture and rural development – practice and public attitudes’. The workshop was held by Prof. Dr. Sanela Klarić, who received her master’s degree and doctorate at the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Sarajevo, on the topic of sustainable architecture[…]

On March 28, 2024, a significant panel discussion took place at the Faculty of Criminology, Criminalistics, and Security of the University of Sarajevo. The event focused on the theme of the role and position of women in the security system of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was moderated by Professor Nerma Kibrić Halilović from the Faculty of Criminology and Security, and the panel brought together esteemed professionals who actively contribute to the country’s security landscape. Among the esteemed panelists were Milica Blagojević, Officer for Civil-Military Cooperation of the Armed Forces of[…]

On March 26, 2024, the results of the research titled “How much does it cost and how much does it hurt: Social decoding of menstruation at universities in BIH” were presented to the public and university representatives as part of the MENGA project. This publication represents the outcome of a five-month study conducted at eight public universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, involving female students and faculty members. The MENGA research marks the first of its kind conducted in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Representatives of the University of Sarajevo emphasized how the[…]

On Friday, March 22, 2024, the TPO Foundation from Sarajevo, the Center for Human Rights and the University Gender Resource Center of the University of Sarajevo organized a panel on the topic of introducing femicide into the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Criminal Code of FBiH. The following persons participated as panelists: The panel was moderated by mr. Miroslav Zivanović. We are glad that a large number of students from the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Political Sciences in Sarajevo attended. We saw this panel[…]

On Monday, March 25th, the third workshop in the series titled “Are You Afraid of Witches?” was held, initiating a discussion on modern witchcraft. Led by Nidžara Ahmetašević, a journalist and researcher from Sarajevo, the workshop explored the concepts of modern witches and their connection to the heritage of witch persecution and political activism. Throughout the workshop, Ahmetašević presented participants with the intriguing idea of modern witches intertwining their heritage with modernist political activism. Embracing their role as advocates for women’s freedom, these modern witches strive to combat various forms[…]

On Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Sarajevo, a panel titled “Networking of Women in STEM: Challenges and Opportunities” was held. The panel participants were Pamela Njemčević and Amila Akagić from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Sarajevo, Azra Gazibegović Busuladžić from the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Sarajevo, Lejla Smajlović from the Faculty of Economics, University of Sarajevo, and Belma Memić from the Faculty of Traffic and Communications. The panel discussion was moderated by Professor Jasna Kovačević[…]

Sex is a biological category while gender is a social one, and each society creates desirable models of masculinity and femininity which are not natural facts but constructs. With the aim of sensitizing teaching staff and students, the first lecture on the topic “Social Shaping of Gender and Sex” was held at the Veterinary Faculty by Prof. Dr. Zilka Spahić Šiljak on March 21, 2024, organized and announced by Prof. Dr. Dženita Alagić-Hadžijunuzović. After adopting the Gender Action Plan at the University of Sarajevo in 2021, the University Gender Resource[…]

On Monday, March 18th, the second workshop in the series titled “Are You Afraid of Witches?” was held. The workshop was led by Nidžara Ahmetašević, a journalist and researcher from Sarajevo During the workshop, participants had the opportunity to delve into the historical portrayal of witches, the infamous witch hunts in Western Europe and the USA, and the contemporary exploitation of these persecutions and crimes for commercial purposes. Ahmetašević PhD highlighted various perspectives on this topic from prominent authors. Sociologist Leopoldina Fortunati and philosopher Silvia Federici associate the emergence of[…]

On March 18, 2024, a publication was released presenting the results of research titled “How Much Does It Cost and How Much Does It Hurt: Social Decoding of Menstruation at Universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” as part of the MENGA project. This publication represents the outcome of a five-month study conducted at eight public universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, involving female students and teachers. The MENGA research is the first of its kind conducted in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The first presentation of the results was held for representatives of government[…]

As part of the MENGA project, the TPO Foundation published a publication entitled “How much does it cost and how much does it hurt?” Social decoding of menstruation at universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina”. The authors of the publication have worked hard on research in the past period, and on 58 pages you can find interesting information about menstrual poverty in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The MENGA (Eng. Menstrual and Gender Action) research is the first research conducted at public universities in BiH with the aim of mapping the perception and[…]

Last week, as part of the UNIGEM project, lectures were held for students and teaching staff at two UNIGEM partner universities – the International University of Travnik in Travnik (IUT) and the University of Zenica (UNZE). The lectures were related to the topic of criminal and criminal law aspects of femicide and to the topic of police work in the community (its legal aspects). The lecturer was an expert in practice Nermin Šehović, who is the Doctor of the Science of Law.

On Saturday, March 9th, 2024, the third forum from the series “Pioneers in Culture” titled “Frame for the Picture” was held as part of the UNIGEM project. The guest was the renowned photographer Imrana Kapetanović, who has gained recognition for her projects with vulnerable groups, including women, people with disabilities, migrants, and others. The conversation was moderated by professor Adisa Bašić, PhD, who emphasized in the introduction that Imrana is an artist who manages to immortalize moments through her camera lens and discreetly capture images with a great deal of[…]

Alice Walker (1944), an African-American writer and activist, reminds us of the power we have within ourselves to make changes with words: “The most common way people lose their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” On this March 8th, as well as during other important occasions, we often hear women saying they can’t do anything, that they have no power, usually thinking they lack political power but also that it’s not worth fighting because the world is as it is. However, if women had thought this way two[…]

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, an inspiring workshop titled “Are You Afraid of Witches?” was held, marking the beginning of a series aimed at exploring the historical and societal portrayal of witches. Led by Nidžara Ahmetašević, a prominent journalist and researcher from Sarajevo, the workshop delved into the complex development of the witch myth and its implications for women throughout history. Nidžara Ahmetašević explored the historical portrayal of witches, shedding light on the socio-political contexts that led to the demonization of women as witches. She emphasized the interconnectedness[…]

In cooperation between the TPO Foundation and the Women Police Officers Network, and as part of the UNIGEM project, on Thursday, March 7, 2024, an education was held for policewomen from the Border Police, the Judicial Police, SIPA, the Directorate for the Coordination of Police Bodies of BiH and the Ministry of Interior of Zenica-Doboj Canton. Aida Bahtanović, a psychologist, psychotherapist and consultant for the application of gestalt, was the teacher on this occasion. In addition to stress management and non-violent communication, the training also taught the participants about effective[…]

At the regular session of the Gender Equality Commission of the Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the work of the University Gender Resource Center (UNIGeRC) was presented. The center was established in early 2022 as part of the UNIGEM (Universities and Gender Mainstreaming) project led by the TPO Foundation with the support of the Government of the United Kingdom. Alma Kratina chaired the Commission, and the work of UNIGeRC was presented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zilka Spahić Šiljak and Lamija Subašić. Parliamentarians had the opportunity to learn about the achievements[…]

On Wednesday, 28th February 2024, in cooperation of the TPO Foundation with the Women Police Officers Network, within the UNIGEM project, an educational activity was held, attended by women police officers from the Border Police, the Judicial Police, SIPA, the Directorate for the Coordination of Police Bodies of BiH and the Ministry of Interior of Zenica-Doboj Canton. The teacher was Assistant Professor Dr. Medina Mujic, and the topics covered were: 1. Gender equality in police services, including subtopics:– Understanding the gender-sensitive approach in police work,– Implementation of gender-sensitive policies in[…]

On Monday, March 4, 2024, the second Socrates Café with founder Christopher Phillips was held on the topic, “What role must each of us play to reduce and eliminate gender inequality and violence against women and minorities?” The founder of the Socrates Café concept, Professor Dr. Christopher Phillips, moderated this conversation. Students who participated in this dialogue provided their responses to the questions, “What would the world look like if only women were in all the leading positions?” and in what ways can we change ourselves and our environment to[…]

On Wednesday, February 28, 2024, the second panel from the series “Female workers in Culture” was held, titled “The Art of the Impossible: Women’s Entrepreneurship in Culture.” The second panel was dedicated to the topic of the position of female entrepreneurs in culture and the challenges they face. The participants of the second forum were Anela Hakalović, founder of the Children’s Bookstore Bajkologija, Adna Muslija, co-founder of the Manifesto Gallery, Marina Đapić, founder of SAFMo and president of the Rezon Association, and the discussion was moderated by prof. dr. Ajla[…]

Integrating gender equality into the higher education system is an important step for universities to align their rules and policies with the requirements of international norms and domestic legislation. As part of the UNIGEM (Universities and Gender Mainstreaming) project, led by the TPO Foundation, the University Gender Resource Center (UNIGeRC) is involved in preparing internal documents for the University of Sarajevo to regulate discrimination issues. On February 29, 2024, a meeting was held at the University to discuss the draft proposal of the Regulation on prevention and  prohibition of all[…]

We are pleased to invite you to a series of online Socratic Cafés where you will have a unique opportunity to engage in philosophical dialogue with Christopher Phillips, the renowned founder of Socratic Cafés. The second session aims to explore the important question: “What role can and must each of us play in significantly reducing and ultimately eliminating gender inequality and violence against women and minorities?” We remind you that everyone can participate in Socratic Cafés. Age, gender, education, religion, nationality, sexual orientation are not important, as everyone can benefit[…]

On Monday, February 19, 2024, the Winter School “Gender and Violence” was officially opened at the University of Novi Sad, which gathered more than 40 students from the region (Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia). The goal of the School was to shed light, through interactive lectures, on the connections between gender and different forms of violence to which women, as well as other socially sensitive groups, are exposed, and to take into account  the broader social context. The school lasted until Friday, February 23, 2024, and it was[…]

Do we have the courage to question our own beliefs, worldviews, and practices? Do we have the strength to stand up against the structural violence perpetrated by patriarchal institutions, both secular and religious? Are we willing to listen to a different perspective and allow different opinions to be respected—even if we don’t agree with them? Are we ready to respect human freedom and the right of individuals to believe or not believe, to question, doubt, and seek answers? Can one be a feminist and a believer? If the answer to[…]

FEMALE WORKERS  IN CULTURE is a series of panel discussions conceived and moderated by professors from the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Sarajevo, Ajla Demiragić and Adisa Bašić. These panels are realized within the framework of the UNIGEM project, implemented by the University Gender Resource Center and the TPO Foundation, and the second panel is titled “The Art of the Impossible: Women’s Entrepreneurship in Culture.” Women in culture are envisioned as a kind of small female turbines (Latin turbo, genitive turbines: whirlwind, vortex) that will generate the energy[…]

The session titled ‘Who is looking after your children? Maternity and the (im)possibility of artistic engagement’ was held on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, as part of the UNIGEM project. This was the first session from the series titled ‘Women workers in culture’. The panellists were Selma Alispahić, the actress, and Lamija Begagić, the writer, and the moderator was Adisa Bašić. The topics discussed by the panelists and guests in the audience concerned both women’s artistic work and the postpartum experience, peer violence, discrimination against mothers with adopted children, the need[…]

We are pleased to invite you to the series of online Socrates Cafes where you will have a unique opportunity to participate in a philosophical dialogue with Christopher Phillips, the famous founder of Socrates Cafes. The first session aims to explore the important question: “How do we recognize cases and acts of gender inequality and violence against women and minorities?” The first in a series of online Socrates Cafes will explore the multifaceted nature of the issue of gender-based violence, and Christopher Phillips will guide us through this complex terrain.[…]

FEMALE WORKERS IN CULTURE is a panel series, designed and moderated by professors from the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Sarajevo Ajla Demiragić and Adisa Bašić. These panel discussions are realized as part of the UNIGEM project, implemented by the University Gender Resource Center (UNIGeRC) and the TPO Foundation. Female workers in culture are conceived as a kind of small female turbines (lat. turbo, genitive turbines: whirlwind) that will generate the energy necessary to initiate, empower and encourage women in the field of culture in Bosnia and Herzegovina,[…]

Review by Assist. Prof. Dr. Ana Marije Sikirić Simčić from the Faculty of Economics of the University of Rijeka was published in the Social Policy Review (Vol. 30, No. 2, pp. 243-251, Zagreb 2023): ‘Universities can and should be powerful institutions for promoting gender equality, diversity and inclusion, not only in the context of higher education, but in society in general. However, despite this, the gender imbalance and the pay gap are still very clearly visible at both the highest and lowest levels of the academic hierarchy; as well as[…]