On March 20, 2025, the publication “Echoes of Change: Advancing Gender Equality in Higher Education in the Balkans” was promoted at the Book Corner of the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Tuzla. The authors of the publication are Zilka Spahić Šiljak, Jasna Kovačević, and Anita Dremel, and it was published by the TPO Foundation from Sarajevo. The book’s promoters were Professor Dr. Anisa Avdagić and Professor Dr. Vesna Bratovčić. Professor Avdagić, who is also one of the reviewers of this important and comprehensive study, presented the key findings […]

On March 27, 2025, at 11:00 AM, a promotion of the follow-up research on gender equality in higher education in the Balkans will be held at the Faculty of Political Science, University of Sarajevo.The promoters will be Prof. Dr. Nerzuk Ćurak, Prof. Dr. Sarina Bakić, and Prof. Dr. Dženita Hadžijunuzović Alagić.The research was conducted as part of the UNIGEM project, implemented by the TPO Foundation.

Following four years of implementing the UNIGEM (Universi­ties and Gender Mainstreaming) project across 19 universities in the region a follow-up study has been published (the first study was conducted in 2021 and published in 2022 in local languages, and in 2023 in English). In the light of this research authors Zilka Spahić Šiljak, Jasna Kovačević i Anita Dremel maintain an optimistic outlook, despite the growing influence of anti-gender narratives that disseminate misinformation and promote fear in wider so­ciety regarding gender equality. On the one hand, measurable progress has been achieved:[…]

Organized by the TPO Foundation as part of the UNIGEM project, three webinars titled “Women in Language and Society: From the Fairer Sex to Victims of Femicide” were held on February 20, 24, and 28. Participants had the opportunity to learn about the most common linguistic practices in both the public and private spheres in our speech area, which subtly or overtly assign women a lower status within the heterosexual binary framework. The webinars were led by contemporary culture theorist Dr. Emilija Radibratović and public prosecutor Gorjana Mirčić Čaluković across[…]

The TPO Foundation, in collaboration with the “Narodna biblioteka” (People’s Library) of Sanski Most, held the promotion of the collected volume “Discourses of Gender Justice: Analysis of Legal Frameworks and Judicial Practices in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia” on February 28, 2025, in Sanski Most. The volume contains a total of 10 scientific papers from various fields, and the promoter of this scholarly work was one of its co-authors, Dr. Zlatan Hrnčić, a native of Sanski Most.

In coordination with psychology teacher Sandra Muratović, the International Women’s Day was celebrated at the Second Gymnasium in Sarajevo. During a class session for the III3 grade students of the IB program, Leonarda Miličević and Majra Rija Subašić prepared a presentation on the topic of significant women in history. Through this activity, they explored the lives and contributions of women who left a lasting impact in various fields, from science to social and political engagement, both in Bosnia and Herzegovina and globally.As in previous years, the International Women’s Day was[…]

Today, a roundtable discussion was held at the Jewish Community Center in Sarajevo on the topic “Erased from History – From the First Strike in the Carpet Factory in 1905 in Bosnia and Herzegovina to Today.” The participants were Rahela Džidić, Sarina Bakić, Jadranka Miličević, and Elma Softić-Kaunitz. The discussion revolved around the status of female workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1905 to the present. They analyzed the position of workers during the Austro-Hungarian rule, discussing the general dissatisfaction of women workers throughout more than 120 years. Panelist Jadranka[…]

On the eve of International Women’s Day, at the invitation of the Informal Women’s Lobby Group from Gračanica, a book promotion was held on March 7, 2025, for The Price of Impure Blood: Cultural and Economic Aspects of Menstruation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, authored by Jasna Kovačević and Zilka Spahić Šiljak. The promoters were Medina Mujić and Zilka Spahić Šiljak, while the event was moderated by journalist Elma Mujkić. During the promotion, Zilka Spahić spoke about menstrual poverty and its economic, health, and educational implications. In addition to the fact[…]

The Gender Equality Council of the University of Tuzla, as part of the UNIGEM project and with the support of the TPO Foundation, held a panel discussion for male academic staff on February 21, 2025, at the University of Tuzla, titled “Unconscious Bias – Hidden Risks of Gender Equality in Higher Education.” The first part of the workshop included a panel discussion moderated by the Council’s coordinator, Prof. Dr. Vesna Bratovčić, with panelists Alana Alagić and Senad Softić. After the opening remarks, an interactive discussion took place, engaging the participants[…]

As part of the UNIGEM project, the promotion of the book “Decolonial Feminism” by Françoise Vergès was held at the International University in Travnik on February 21, 2025. This important event brought together students, professors, and all those interested in the decolonial approach to feminism and its role in social change. The promotion began with introductory remarks by the organizers, who presented the key themes of the book, which analyzes feminism through the lens of colonialism, social inequalities, and the history of colonized peoples. Author Françoise Vergès provides a deeper[…]

On Friday, February 28, 2025, at 12:00 PM, a book promotion of “LAURELS FOR A WOMAN’S HEAD: The Gender Dimension of Literary Awards in Bosnia and Herzegovina” by Prof. Dr. Ajla Demiragić and Dr. Adisa Bašić will be held at the University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Philosophy. The authors teach at the Department of Comparative Literature and Information Sciences. The book analyzes and interprets data on literary awards given in our country over the past three decades, with the authors showing how women tend to receive awards more frequently[…]

On January 31, 2025, a panel discussion on the topic “Arranged Marriages in Modern Society: Tradition, Freedom of Choice, and Equality” was held at the Grand Amphitheater of the International University of Travnik. The event gathered experts, academics, and students who together explored the important issues surrounding arranged marriages, focusing on their connection to tradition, freedom of choice, and gender equality. During the panel, the impact of arranged marriages on individuals’ rights, especially minors, was discussed, along with the challenges and consequences these marriages can have on society. The participants[…]

On Friday, January 31, 2025, a promotion of the student anthology “Gender and Art” was held at the Book Corner of the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Tuzla. The anthology, published by the TPO Foundation in collaboration with the University of Tuzla, features academic and artistic works prepared by students under the mentorship of selected professors, following the Winter School held at the University of Tuzla in 2024 as part of the UNIGEM project. The anthology was edited by Jasmina Husanović, Anisa Avdagić, Selma Veseljević Jerković, and Maja[…]

Following the highly successful promotion of the book The Price of Impure Blood: Cultural and Economic Aspects of Menstruation in Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo, this very important work, which represents a pioneering step in exploring a topic often marginalized or silenced in Bosnian society, was presented in Zenica on Thursday, February 20. The promotion of the publication, authored by Jasna Kovačević and Zilka Spahić Šiljak, took place at the Faculty of Law at the University of Zenica. The book was published by the TPO Foundation and was created and[…]

The book The Price of Impure Blood: Cultural and Economic Aspects of Menstruation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, authored by Jasna Kovačević and Zilka Spahić Šiljak and published by the TPO Foundation, was promoted on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, in a full hall at the Marriott Hotel in Sarajevo. The promoters of the book were Prof. Dr. Amila Ždralović, Prof. Dr. Munira Šestić, and Prof. Dr. Zilka Spahić Šiljak. As stated during the promotion, this publication marks a pioneering step in exploring a topic that is often marginalized or silenced in[…]

As part of the UNIGEM project (Universities and Gender-Responsive Policies), the TPO Foundation, in partnership with the University Gender Resource Center of the University of Sarajevo, the ZATO Foundation, and 19 universities from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro, is organizing the international conference Gender and Peace in the Balkans: Tracing the Path Forward. The three-day conference will take place in Sarajevo from February 25 to 27, 2025, in a hybrid format, allowing both in-person and online participation (with live streaming). The conference Gender and Peace in the Balkans:[…]

The book The Price of Impure Blood: Cultural and Economic Aspects of Menstruation in Bosnia and Herzegovina provides a comprehensive analysis of one of the most significant yet often overlooked issues faced by women and girls worldwide. The research was conducted in 28 cities across Bosnia and Herzegovina through a survey involving over 2,000 women and interviews with 73 women. Through an examination of social norms, economic challenges, and health implications, the book uncovers deeply rooted stigmas, gender inequalities, and structural barriers that hinder women from managing menstruation with dignity. The goal[…]

Duration of the Evaluation The evaluation is expected to start on 3 March 2025 for an estimated duration of 20 working days. Expected Deliverables: The following deliverables are expected. Click here to download TOR.

UNIGEM Project Monitoring Staff: After four years of project implementation, TPO Foundation is looking for 10 persons to do monitoring of the undertaken project activities. Five persons are needed for universities in BiH, tree for Croatian partner universities and one person per Serbia and Montenegro, i.e. for UNIGEM partner universities in these two countries. Click here to download TOR.

The coordinator of the UNIGEM project, Dr. Nataša Vučenović Gnjato, held an online meeting on January 28, 2025, with the vice-deans of the Faculty of Philology at the University of Banja Luka, Prof. Dr. Zorana Kovačević and Dr. Anja Pravuljac. The main topic of the meeting was the publications of the TPO Foundation and how their potential can be utilized to innovate teaching and research in the fields of language, literature, and translation. Particular attention was given to the publication “Laurels for a Woman’s Head: The Gender Dimension of Literary[…]

The TPO Foundation, in collaboration with Hasija Borić Stojić, one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most respected actresses, organized two performances of Hasanagićin Blues. The first was held on January 23, 2025, at the Vogošća Municipality Hall, and the second on January 27, 2025, at the Breza Library. The play dives into the serious issues of gender-based violence and femicide, blending the folk epic Hasanaginica with real-life testimonies from court cases involving victims of violence, as well as messages about the women who have tragically lost their lives in recent years[…]

On December 28 and 29, 2024, a two-day workshop titled “Escape Room – Secure Your Digital Future” was held in Bratunac, with the support of the TPO Foundation. The aim of the workshop was to educate participants on the importance of digital security, using an interactive approach and gamification in the learning process. On the first day of the workshop, participants were introduced to the basics of digital security, including concepts such as privacy protection, passwords, social media security, and methods for recognizing digital threats like phishing and malware. The[…]

Within the UNIGEM (Universities and Gender Mainstreaming) project TPO Foundation in partnership with the University Gender Resource Center of the University of Sarajevo, Foundation ZATO and 19 universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro is organising the International Conference “Gender and Peace in the Balkans: Charting the Path Forward?” The three-day conference will be held in Sarajevo from February 25-27, 2025 and it will havea hybrid format allowing for in-person or online participation (live video streaming).

The three partner universities of the UNIGEM project held meetings last week to review the activities completed so far and discuss future plans. On December 19, 2024, the Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory (IFDT) of the University of Belgrade (UNBG) held an online meeting with the members of the Gender Equality Committee of UNBG. Four members of the Committee attended, two from the Rectorate’s professional services and two from organizational units of the University. The meeting presented the achievements of the UNIGEM project this year and plans for the[…]

As part of the UNIGEM project, the TPO Foundation and the University Gender Resource Center at the University of Sarajevo’s Center for Human Rights held a two-day training for police officers from the Police Directorate of the Ministry of Interior of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton in Mostar on December 19 and 20, 2024. The training was titled “Gender-Based Violence: Police-Criminal and Legal Aspects.” A similar two-day training under the same title was also organized in cooperation with the Police Directorate of the Ministry of Interior of the Una-Sana Canton for police[…]

Faculty members and students of the University “Džemal Bijedić” in Mostar, alongside the TPO Foundation, organized a series of lectures, workshops, and discussions as part of the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign. This initiative aimed to educate both academic and non-academic staff, as well as students, on gender equality and gender-based violence.

The “VITEZ” University organized a panel discussion titled “Women’s Health in the Shadow of Violence: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Problem-Solving.” This significant event, held on December 20, 2024, brought together experts from various fields to discuss critical issues related to the health of women who are victims of violence and possible multidisciplinary approaches to resolving this complex issue.

After the Winter School held at the University of Tuzla in 2024 within the framework of the UNIGEM project, students, under the mentorship of selected professors, prepared final academic and artistic works which have been collected in the Anthology Gender and Art. The Anthology was edited by Jasmina Husanović, Anisa Avdagić, Selma Veseljević Jerković, and Maja Dedić. The works intervene in the critical production of knowledge about artistic practices and works from the perspective of gender theories, in an interdisciplinary and intersectional approach. The papers present interesting interdisciplinary approaches to[…]

From November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to December 10, International Human Rights Day, the University of Mostar participated in the global “16 Days of Activism” campaign as part of the UNIGEM project in 2024. The goal of the campaign, organized by the TPO Foundation, was to raise awareness about gender-based violence and promote gender equality. Throughout the campaign, a series of workshops and lectures were organized, covering topics such as “What Would You Do?”, “Red Flag/Green Flag”, “Misogyny: The Silent Enemy of Equality”,[…]

In 2024, the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Novi Sad joined the global “16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women” campaign. This worldwide initiative runs each year from November 25 to December 10, covering important dates that link women, violence, and human rights: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25), World AIDS Day (December 1), International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3), the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre (December 6), and International Human Rights Day (December 10). As part of the campaign,[…]

The Faculty of Law at the University of Montenegro, as part of the UNIGEM project, joined the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign by organizing lectures and educational activities. The aim of the event was to raise awareness about the importance of fighting gender-based violence and to educate future lawyers on this socially relevant issue. The lectures were delivered by Dr. Rajka Đoković, Dr. Balša Kašćelan, and Dr. Sanja Grbović. Their presentations covered the key legal, social, and psychological aspects of gender-based violence, emphasizing the importance of a[…]

The International Burch University, under the auspices of the UNIGEM project, once again joined the global “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign. This year’s campaign theme, “Open Your Eyes,” was launched on November 26, 2024, with the opening of an interactive student exhibition. The exhibition was the result of collaboration between students from various departments taking the course “Gender Equality in Society,” and it remained open to the public until December 10, 2024. Visitors had the opportunity to leave messages of support for the victims and survivors of[…]

The TPO Foundation in Sarajevo organized a series of educational sessions on the topic of “Corruption and Gender-Based Violence” as part of the UNIGEM project. The trainings took place from November 11 to 14, 2024, and were aimed at various target groups, including university staff, civil servants, police officers, and students. The goal was to raise awareness about the connection between corruption and gender-based violence, as well as to strengthen participants’ capacity to recognize and fight these issues. The sessions were led by two experienced trainers from Serbia: Gorjana Mirčić-Čaluković[…]

An exhibition of works created during the Winter School “Gender and Art” opened on December 23, 2024, in the lobby of the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies “Prof. Dr. Zdravko Grebo” at the University of Sarajevo. The exhibition will be open to the public on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at CIS until Friday, January 31, 2025. The exhibition showcases group works created by the participants of the Winter School “Gender and Art,” which was held under the guidance of Assistant Professor Dr. Nela Hasanbegović from the Academy of[…]

As part of the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign (December 2024), Lana Bobić held 19 online training sessions on the topic of “Coercive Control” for teaching staff at UNIGEM partner universities. Gender-based violence manifests in various forms, and one of the most subtle and difficult to recognize is coercive control. The TPO Foundation, together with 19 partner universities from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro, has been organizing various forms of education for the past four years in conjunction with the “16 Days of Activism Against[…]

What is gender, why is an atmosphere of fear around gender equality being created, and why do right-wing populist discourses use anti-gender narratives to achieve their political goals? These are the questions discussed in online seminars during December 2024, within the framework of the UNIGEM project. The seminars were led by Dr. Jadranka Rebeka Anić, a scientific advisor from Split, and the participants were students from the partner universities of the TPO Foundation, as well as representatives of non-governmental organizations. Although gender, sex, and gender equality have been widely discussed[…]

As part of the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign, an exhibition of works created during the Winter School “Gender and Art” was opened at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Tuzla, on December 5, 2024. The campaign at the University of Tuzla began on November 26 with the message “Support Survivors and Victims of Gender-Based Violence.” Students from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region aimed to visually represent the fight for women’s rights, the battle against violence, and gender equality through their art. Art served as their[…]

On November 26, 2024, the “16 Days of Activism” campaign was launched at the Faculty of Law at the University of Bihać, organized as part of the UNIGEM project by the TPO Foundation from Sarajevo. In line with the planned project activities, symbolic “Walls of Silence” were set up at the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Education at the University of Bihać, where students, faculty members, staff, and visitors could leave messages of support for the victims of violence. Additionally, on December 9, 2024, a roundtable on the[…]

For the fourth consecutive year, the University of Rijeka participated in the global campaign “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence,” which began on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and ended on December 10, 2024, Human Rights Day. The goal of the campaign, carried out by the TPO Foundation from Sarajevo as part of the UNIGEM project, is to encourage dialogue and raise awareness about the importance of combating gender-based violence. At the University of Rijeka, several activities were held. On December 6,[…]

As part of the UNIGEM project, the TPO Foundation successfully carried out the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign from November 26 to December 10, 2024, at the International University of Travnik (IUT). During this period, five workshops and a roundtable discussion were held, with the goal of educating and exchanging experiences on topics related to violence, media literacy, gender equality, and the legal protection of violence victims. The activities brought together experts from various sectors, students, and representatives of civil society organizations, all aimed at raising public[…]

The campaign “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” at the University of Donja Gorica was carried out through the screening of the documentary film “Šejla” by Velibor Čović, produced by “NVU Arlekin.” The campaign was implemented as part of the UNIGEM project by the TPO Foundation. The documentary “Šejla” was made in 2022 with the goal of raising public awareness about violence against women and girls, as well as violence in general, which is a significant societal problem in Montenegro. The film tells the story of the late Šejla[…]

The University of Sarajevo participated in the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign with a series of activities organized across three faculties. The campaign, implemented as part of the UNIGEM project by the TPO Foundation, aimed to raise awareness about gender-based violence. On November 26, 2024, the campaign was launched at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine under the slogan “Support Victims and Survivors”. This global initiative, which is observed worldwide to draw attention to violence against women, girls, and young girls, was actively marked in Bosnia and Herzegovina[…]

The “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign and the observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women were also held at Josip Juraj Strossmayer University in Osijek. The campaign was launched with a lecture at the Faculty of Philosophy in Osijek on November 27, 2024, given by Prof. Dr. Anita Dremel. She spoke about the UNIGEM project, the Gender Equality Committee of the University of J.J. Strossmayer in Osijek, and the challenges and importance of raising awareness about gender-based violence. The goal of the[…]

Students of the Sarajevo Secondary Medical School made a significant contribution to the campaign “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence,” organized by the TPO Foundation as part of the UNIGEM project. First, they created wall newspapers and displayed them in the school hall, followed by an exhibition of educational art posters, which were placed from the first to the third floor of the school. Both activities were coordinated by Selvira Mašnić. The wall newspapers and posters attracted considerable attention, with approximately 700 people viewing them. Of these, 130 students[…]

The Student Union proudly participated in the ’16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence’ campaign, organized as part of the UNIGEM Project through a series of workshops across various faculties. The goal of these activities was to raise awareness among students about the importance of recognizing and preventing gender-based violence, with a focus on education, empowerment, and building mutual trust. At the Faculty of Medicine, a workshop on mental health was held on December 9, 2024. Through interactive sessions and lectures, students had the opportunity to discuss the importance of[…]

Students and teachers at Obala Gymnasium were very active and engaged during the “16 Days of Activism” campaign, organized by the TPO Foundation as part of the UNIGEM project. They carried out six different activities, all coordinated by Professor Enisa Klačar. In addition to creating a video with messages of support for victims and survivors, made by students Lejla Bandić, Hanan Lukač, Emina Spahić, Sajra Leka, Nadja Krečo, Lamija Zorbić, and Tia Žigić, a panel discussion was organized with psychologist and gestalt psychotherapist Senka Čimpo. Through this engagement, the students[…]

The Office for Gender Equality at the University of Hercegovina successfully organized workshops within the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign, which is implemented by the TPO Foundation from Sarajevo as part of the UNIGEM project. The first workshop was led by Prof. Dr. Irma Džambo, who spoke on the topic of the “Battered Woman Syndrome,” a term more commonly known in literature as the syndrome of the (pre)beaten woman. As Prof. Džambo highlighted, the battered woman syndrome is a psychological consequence of living in violence from an[…]

Sarajevo’s Third Gymnasium, in collaboration with the Music High School, carried out a series of activities as part of the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign, organized by the TPO Foundation within the UNIGEM project. The campaign, under the school project name “Empathy – Responsibility – Solidarity” (supporting victims and survivors), began on November 25 and ran until December 10. During this period, a variety of activities were carried out involving students, teachers, and staff. The first activity was an exhibition of posters titled “Help for Victims and[…]