Association “Network of Women Police Officers” in Bosnia and Herzegovina held a two-day seminar in Fojnica

From 29 to 30 November 2012, the Association „Network of Women Police Officers“ in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) held a two-day seminar on strengthening Association’s organizational capacities in Fojnica.

From 29 to 30 November 2012, the Association „Network of Women Police Officers“ in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) held a two-day seminar on strengthening Association’s organizational capacities in Fojnica.

The Association „Network of Women Police Officers“ in BiH gathers women police officers from fifteen police institutions from across the country

The Association „Network of Women Police Officers“ in BiH gathers women police officers from fifteen police institutions from across the country

Federal TV in BiH made a short documentary about the seminar for which they interviewed representatives of the Network

Federal TV in BiH made a short documentary about the seminar for which they interviewed representatives of the Network

Thirty five women members of the Network actively participated in a two-day seminar

Thirty five women members of the Network actively participated in a two-day seminar

From 29 to 30 November 2012, the Association „Network of Women Police Officers“ in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) held a two-day seminar in Fojnica, BiH on how to strengthen Association’s organizational capacities and make it more efficient. The seminar was organized with the support of a non-governmental organization „Women to Women“, United Nations Development Programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNDP BiH), and UNDP/SEESAC.

The Association „Network of Women Police Officers“ in BiH gathers  women police officers from fifteen police institutions from across the country with  the aim to raise awareness about gender equality in police services and to advocate for gender sensitive police practices. The work of the Association is supported by the UNDP/SEESAC as part of the Support for Gender Mainstreaming in Policing Practice in South East Europe project (WPON). The goals of the Association are directly aligned with the implementation of the UNSC Resolution 1325 Action Plan in BiH calling for the increased representation of women at all decision-making levels in the national, regional, and international institutions and mechanisms for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflict.

Thirty five women members of the Network actively participated in a two-day seminar which was facilitated by the NGO “Women to Women. The aim of the seminar was to strengthen the organizational effectiveness of the Network, discuss its procedures, internal communication and to plan forthcoming activities. The Network set up an executive board that will be responsible for the overall functions of the Network and created four working groups in charge for activities in the areas related to: legislation, professional education/trainings, communication and fundraising.

Specific attention was given to planning concrete measures the Network will initiate in 2013 with the aim to promote its work and advocate for improved position of women in police institutions in BiH. Coordinator of the Women Police Officers Network in Southeast Europe (WPON) from UNDP/SEESAC, Ms. Bojana Balon presented The Guidelines for Gender Sensitive Policing with an Emphasis on Recruitment, Selection and Professional Development of Women in Police Services. The Guidelines are a set of low-cost quick win measures designed to foster gender quality and improve the position of women in the police services and helped the Association in defining the course of action. The Guidelines were developed based on data provided by the 9 Police Services in South East Europe.

The seminar was an excellent opportunity for women police officers from 15 different police institutions in BiH to network, exchange information and experiences.  Federal TV in BiH made a short documentary about the seminar for which they interviewed representatives of the Network. The documentary is designed to further promote the work of the Network and raise the awareness of the general population about the role and the position of women in the police services in BiH.

About WPON
The Women Police Officers Network in South Eastern Europe is a UNDP/SEESAC supported project, which aims to provide a platform for the exchange of experience and knowledge across police services in the region on the status, needs and priorities of police women in South East Europe; facilitate the advancement of the position of women in police services and gender sensitive policing practices in the region; and advocate for the implementation of gender equality and democratic principles in policing. The project is generously funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UNDP.

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