Urgent Call to Action: Eradicating Gender-Based Violence in BiH

SARAJEVO, 22 August 2023 - The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina is deeply saddened by the incident of attempted femicide in Bijeljina. The Mission is alarmed by the growing number of such cases and the overall gender-based violence situation.

Since 2015, 56 women have lost their lives in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 19 classified as femicide in just 2021 and 2022. An OSCE study reveals that 48 percent of women in BiH have encountered abuse, of which a concerning 84 percent goes unreported. Immediate action is imperative.

All levels of government in BiH must prioritize the prevention of and response to gender-based violence, including domestic violence. Collaboratively, we can eliminate these crimes, which exact an unacceptable toll on individuals and society alike.

We trust that responsible authorities will demonstrate accountability and prioritize resolving this urgent concern. Excuses are no longer acceptable, as every passing day could result in more lives lost.