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[…]

The partner university, the University of Montenegro, marked the campaign “16 days of activism” within the framework of the UNIGEM project with a public call for writing the best essay on the topic “Consequences of relativizing the causes of femicide”. In the competition for the best essay, Tijana Draganić, a second-year master’s student at the Faculty of Philosophy, won first place, Miloš Bubanja, a second-year master’s student at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, won second place, while Tereza Vujošević, a first-year master’s student at the Faculty of Law, won third[…]

On the occasion of the International Day against Violence against Women, on November 25, 2023, a screening of the multi-awarded documentary “Bigger than Trauma” was held in the Aquarium area on the University of Rijeka campus. In addition to the screening of the film, a forum, i.e. a public discussion entitled “Prevention and fight against violence against women and domestic violence” was held on November 30, 2023, also in the “Aquarium” on the Campus of the University of Rijeka. The film “Bigger than trauma” follows a group of participants in[…]

As part of the UNIGEM project, on the occasion of the “16 days of activism against gender-based violence” campaign, Sarajevo School of Science and Technology held a number of activities. In the premises of the Homework HUB, an entertaining and educational quiz “Gender Quiz: Femme Nerds” was held and prizes were provided for the best. A brochure was also created for the purpose of the quiz. The installation of cardboard heels in front and in the hall of SSST was a mystery for several days. Then, the students were informed[…]

During the last academic year, as part of the “16 Days of Activism” campaign, students of the Faculty of Law at the University of Tuzla took part in a trial simulation. Thanks to the success of the project itself, all funds were invested in the safe house “Viva žene” Tuzla. Thanks to this and other donations, the project of installing a fence and furniture for children was successfully implemented. Cooperation with “Viva žene” continued this year as well. Psychotherapists from Association “Viva Žene” Tuzla, gave young people the experience of[…]

On Friday, December 22, 2023, as part of the UNIGEM project and the 16 Days of Activism Campaign, the Faculty of Criminology, Criminology and Security Studies (FKKSS) of the University of Sarajevo (UNSA) held a Round Table on the topic ‘Police action in cases of gender-based violence’. The participants were: Prof. Dr Nedžad Korajlić, Prof. Dr Irma Deljkić, Prof. Dr Adnan Fazlić, Prof. Dr Elvira Čekić and Prof. Dr Azra Adžajlić Dedović. On this occasion, it was pointed out that numerous femicides took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina during 2023,[…]

Traditionally, for the third year in a row, the University of Mostar participates in the “16 days of activism against gender-based violence” campaign, which aims to raise awareness and prevent violence against women for the benefit of society as a whole. The campaign started at the Faculty of Agriculture, with a lecture on Eating disorders and feminism. The students of the Nutrition department discussed beauty standards that are imposed on women and can result in eating disorders, among which anorexia and bulimia are the most common. The devastating data is[…]

In the period from November 25 to December 10, 2023, the University of Banja Luka held a series of activities and thus marked the global global campaign “16 days of activism against gender-based violence”. Students and teaching staff organized a film screening, a discussion about femicide and four workshops. The screening of the film “The Night of the 12th” with a discussion was held on December 5 in the reading room of the Faculty of Philosophy, UNBL. The activity was led by Nemanja Tubonjić, MA in philosophy. The workshop “Gender[…]

In the period from November 25 to December 10, 2023, the University of Novi Sad held a series of activities and thus marked the global global campaign “16 days of activism against gender.based violence”. The experts held a forum, a conversation with students and a lecture on the topics of digital violence, gender-based violence and violence against children. On November 16 and 17, 2023, a two-day workshop entitled “Implicit Gender Prejudices” was organized at the Faculty of Economics in Subotica. The workshop, which was intended for teaching and administrative staff[…]

University of Donja Gorica, as part of the campaign “16 days of activism against gender-based violence – AGAINST FEMICIDE” presented the research “Social and institutional response to femicide in Montenegro” conducted by the organization SOS telephone for women and children victims of violence Nikšić. The organization also held a presentation on the significance of the Istanbul Convention. The workshop concluded with the message that every man, every woman, every boy and girl, every parent must learn that any kind of violence is not the right way to solve difficulties. Everyone[…]

In the period from November 25, to December 10, 2023. the University of Bihać realized a series of activities and thus marked the global campaign “16 days of activism against gender-based violence”. The name of the project and the central event was “Femicide in the law, murderers in prison”. As the focus is always on male and female students, this time the student group provided its contribution by surveying the citizens of the city of Bihać. See how it looked HERE. As part of the campaign, the University of Bihać[…]

On December 6, 2023, the student group staged a performance entitled “Stop femicide in BIH” and thus began a series of activities that marked the global campaign “16 days of activism against gender-based violence ” this year as well. The performance is available HERE. With the performance “Let’s stop femicide in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, the students of the Faculty of Philosophy in Zenica clearly communicated that violence is not a “private matter”. Although it most often happens within the family, by husbands, violence is a problem for the whole society.[…]

The University of Sarajevo marked the global campaign “16 days of activism against gender-based violence” again this year. Workshops on unconscious bias, violence against women in the family and violence against women prisoners were held for the student group. The Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Political Sciences held a workshop on the topic “Violence against women and domestic violence – Court practice of the European Convention on Human Rights – ECHR (judgment analysis)”. The workshop was led by prof. Sarina Bakić, PhD, and Prof. Amila Ždralović, PhD. The[…]

At the International University of Travnik in Travnik, as part of the UNIGEM project, the campaign “16 days of activism against gender-based violence” was celebrated again this year. Six workshops were held for the students of the International University of Travnik in Travnik. The leaders of the workshops were: 1. Šejla Džanan, Ph.D. – “The role of women in the family and society in the context of gender equality” and “Family violence, violence between couples”, 2. Kornelija Nikačević, MA – “Gender equality – stereotypes and prejudices”, 3. prof. Ivan Balta,[…]

In the period from November 25 to December 10, 2023, the University of Belgrade held a discussion: From obstetric violence to dignified childbirth: research and experiences and training on reaction mechanisms in case of sexual harassment at work intended for University employees. in Belgrade. These activities marked the global campaign “16 days of activism against gender-based violence”. Training was held on reaction mechanisms in case of sexual harassment at work, intended for IFST University of Belgrade employees. The training was carried out by Jelena Ćeriman, PhD, an employee of IFST[…]

In the period from November 25 to December 10, 2023, University of Vitez in Travnik held a workshop for students of the Travnik Mixed High School of Economics and Hospitality Industry and a panel discussion for the citizens of Travnik entitled “Together against violence”. The aforementioned activities marked the global campaign “16 days of activism against gender-based violence”. Neuropsychiatry specialist at the Travnik Hospital, Dr. Aida Vatreš, held a lecture on “Healthy Connections” for the students of the Travnik Mixed High School of Economics and Hospitality Industry. The lecture was[…]

In the period from November 25 to December 10, 2023. the University of East Sarajevo held three workshops on gender-based violence and thus marked the global campaign “16 days of activism against gender-based violence”. That’s how prof. Predrag Mlinarević. PhD, gave a lecture at the Faculty of Economics in Pale on the topic “Gender equality as a goal of sustainable development of the UN”. As part of this lecture, Prof. Mlinarević introduced the audience to the content of gender equality as one of the 17 sustainable development goals of the[…]

Violence is talked about much but not enough action is taken, so it’s important for young people to raise their voices and seek solutions. During the 16 Days of Activism campaign, students and their professors from partner universities engaged in online sessions discussing methods of preventing and combating all forms of gender-based violence. Throughout November and December 2023, as part of the UNIGEM project, eight three-hour online workshops were held for eight groups led by Zilka Spahić Šiljak. “Violence is not the way, violence is not the solution, violence breeds[…]

On December, 12, 2023. the final panel was held, concluding the “16 Days of Activism” campaign. As part of the UNIGEM project, the TPO Foundation and the Sarajevo School of Science and Technology (SSST) organized a panel through which the panelists reflected on what has been done since last year’s campaign until today, and what challenges victims’ support providers face. violence, how femicide is treated within the legal framework and many other issues. The panel was moderated by SSST representative Emina Ganić, and the panelists were: prof. Zilka Spahić Šiljak,[…]

Josip Juraj Strossmayer University in Osijek held a series of activities and thus marked the global global campaign “16 days of activism against gender based violence”. On May 16, 2023. at the Faculty of Philosophy Osijek in the ceremonial hall 60 associate professor Ph.D. Anita Dremel from the Department of Sociology held an education for teachers entitled Gender-sensitive language and communication. The activity took place with the support of the UNIGEM project and as part of the work of the Osijek branch of the Croatian Sociological Society and the University[…]

On Thursday, 14th December 2023, the TPO Foundation in cooperation with the Police Women’s Network and the NGO DTCare, in the premises of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA), as part of the University and Gender Mainstreaming (UNIGEM) Project held educational activities, consisted of four lectures titled: – Security and trust (lecturer Prof. Dr Mirza Smajić, Head of the Department of Security and Peace Studies, Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Sarajevo) – Gender stereotypes (lecturer Prof. Dr Zilka Spahić Šiljak, Director of the TPO Foundation and Professor of[…]

Saida Mustajbegović, sociologist, journalist, editor and columnist, presented the student collection “Gender and Globalization in the Balkans”. “Questioning the ossified academic positions on gender and globalization and introducing new topics “from the field” into the scientific narrative inaugurate the student collection “Gender and Globalization in the Balkans” among the publications that deserve careful humanistic-social university reading.” – points out Mustajbegović. Research student works were created after the winter school “Gender and Globalization” organized at the beginning of the year by the TPO Foundation in cooperation with the University Gender Resource[…]

“Džemal Bijedić” University in Mostar and the TPO Foundation within the UNIGEM project, with the aim of marking the 16 days of activism campaign, in the period from December 5 to 7, 2023, realized several lectures, workshops and discussions with the aim of educating teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as male and female students on gender equality and gender-based violence. The first in a series of lectures with a discussion was given by prof. Rebeka Kotlo, coordinator of the UNIGEM project for the University “Džemal Bijedić” in Mostar on[…]

Next to the UNIGERC Center at the University of Sarajevo from December, 07, 2023. is the Advisory Office in the field of gender equality, also available at the University of Zenica. In the newly opened office, teaching and administrative staff as well as the student population can be informed about issues of gender-based violence and ways to report gender inequality. The welcome speech was given by: prof. Jusuf Duraković, PhD, rector of the University of Zenica, prof. Larisa Velić, PhD, dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Zenica, Neil[…]