Faith based action against gender-based violence

Conducted over two decades, multitude of research shows that almost half of women in BiH over 15-years of age experienced some sort of violence, and one third of them  suffered violence within the family.  A 2023 World Vision research shows that both, justification of violence and gender stereotypes, are widely present in communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Conducted with 16 groups of children and youth from BiH and 10 local committees of the Interreligious Council in BiH, research states that 14.7% of respondents believe that violence is a family matter and that no small number of people justify physical violence.

"Six percent of the respondents believe that it is acceptable to hit a woman under certain circumstances. It is devastating that some members of our society justify and normalise violence in the family and violence against women," said Dragana Bulić, director of the organisation World Vision BiH.

The research further states that 37 percent of 1,665 respondents consider men to be better leaders than women, while 11 percent of them believe that men are more intelligent than women.

Knowing that churches and religious communities enjoy the great trust of the citizens of BiH, World Vision BiH is working with the Interreligious Council in BiH to address negative attitudes, behaviors and practices in BiH. They formalised the Network of women believers in 15 cities, which, in mutual coordination and cooperation with the governmental and non-governmental sectors, works together to change prevailing harmful practices and social norms that deepen inequality.

 "The influence of churches and religious communities is crucial in changing harmful attitudes, practices and behavior, and preventing gender-based violence, and we at World Vision are committed to investing in, preventing and protecting children from all forms of violence," said Nela Hukić, representative of non-governmental organisation World Vision BiH.

Merima Osmanović from Kalesija defies stereotypes and in her capacity as the president of the youth association "Trik" brings together boys, girls and young women and men and encourages equal participation in the association's activities.

"Children and young people are the foundation of a future where we are all equal and protected from violence," said Merima.

The "Trik" youth association is one of the 16 youth groups that participated in the implementation of the research and that continue to work through the implementation of small projects and advocacy initiatives in order to contribute to the change of gender stereotypes and the prevention of violence in their communities.

"We believe in the potential of children and youth, women and men, to change the situation and create a better society for all its members. However, we are concerned that compared to adults, young people expressed more rigid views on gender differences and it showed us that we all need to work more with children and young people on promoting gender equality and inclusion", said Nela Hukić.

Research and subsequent action to prevent GBV is part of the United in Faith project, implemented by World Vision BiH and Interreligious Council in BiH, with the support of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina.