Newsroom
Bosnia and Herzegovina has highest percentage of women in political office in south-eastern Europe
SARAJEVO 7 August 2001
SARAJEVO, 7 August 2001 (OSCE) - Bosnia and Herzegovina has the highest percentage of women in political office of all 12 countries covered by the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe. This is outlined by a report issued by the OSCE-sponsored Working Group on Gender Equality of the Stability Pact, summarizing the Group's work in the last two years.
The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina is pleased to note that the report, which was presented in a conference in Vienna at the end of July, makes prominent mention of the progress made in the country in the field of women participation in politics.
The first post-war elections, organized in September 1996 by the OSCE Mission, showed clearly the difficult position of women in politics. Only 2 per cent of female candidates on the state and entity levels and 5 per cent on the local level were elected, while women's participation at the executive level was virtually non-existent.
In response, the OSCE sponsored strategy sessions in 1997 and early 1998, which led to a change in election rules and regulations. Requirements were introduced that at least 30 per cent of political party candidates be women.
As a result, the percentage of women in the Bosnia and Herzegovina House of Representatives jumped from two per cent in 1996 to 26 per cent in 1998, and the number of female representatives at the municipal level increased from five per cent in 1997 to 18 per cent in 2000.
The Provisional Election Commission Rules and Regulations for the November 2000 general elections contained a similar provision. All parties or coalitions were required to ensure that at least one-third of their candidates were women. This system, introduced in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the April 2000 municipal elections, saw voters from across the country select women candidates from the list in record numbers.
This trend continues as people come to realize the valuable contribution that women are making to Bosnia and Herzegovina's traditionally male-dominated political culture. Public opinion has signaled widespread support for more women participation in politics. Opinion polls suggest that a solid majority of citizens believe that women are effective representatives and are less prone to corruption than their male counterparts.
The trend in favor of women in politics was clearly demonstrated in the 2000 General Elections, when a new electoral system with open lists was applied for the first time. Women politicians took 18 per cent of all elected positions countrywide.
In recognition of this support, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to work to ensure not only that citizens have the opportunity to vote for women candidates, but that women themselves are better prepared to take on a larger political role.
The Mission's initiated in 1997 a Women in Politics Programme, in order to boost participation by women in public affairs. Since then, training and support, in the form of strategy sessions with women activists, politicians, members of Parliament, union leaders and non-governmental organizations have been offered to women in public life. Conferences, information campaigns, and seminars have been held on issues such as women's rights, women and the media, economy and privatization, women and return and legislative reform.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has quickly become the leader among the states of south-eastern and eastern Europe in terms of women's participation in public life. The OSCE Mission is proud to have taken a leading role in this progress, and to serve as a sponsor of the Stability Pact Gender Task Force.
--
For more information please contact OSCE Acting Spokesperson, Henning Philipp, at +387 33 292 153 or at +387 66 144 300.
The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina is pleased to note that the report, which was presented in a conference in Vienna at the end of July, makes prominent mention of the progress made in the country in the field of women participation in politics.
The first post-war elections, organized in September 1996 by the OSCE Mission, showed clearly the difficult position of women in politics. Only 2 per cent of female candidates on the state and entity levels and 5 per cent on the local level were elected, while women's participation at the executive level was virtually non-existent.
In response, the OSCE sponsored strategy sessions in 1997 and early 1998, which led to a change in election rules and regulations. Requirements were introduced that at least 30 per cent of political party candidates be women.
As a result, the percentage of women in the Bosnia and Herzegovina House of Representatives jumped from two per cent in 1996 to 26 per cent in 1998, and the number of female representatives at the municipal level increased from five per cent in 1997 to 18 per cent in 2000.
The Provisional Election Commission Rules and Regulations for the November 2000 general elections contained a similar provision. All parties or coalitions were required to ensure that at least one-third of their candidates were women. This system, introduced in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the April 2000 municipal elections, saw voters from across the country select women candidates from the list in record numbers.
This trend continues as people come to realize the valuable contribution that women are making to Bosnia and Herzegovina's traditionally male-dominated political culture. Public opinion has signaled widespread support for more women participation in politics. Opinion polls suggest that a solid majority of citizens believe that women are effective representatives and are less prone to corruption than their male counterparts.
The trend in favor of women in politics was clearly demonstrated in the 2000 General Elections, when a new electoral system with open lists was applied for the first time. Women politicians took 18 per cent of all elected positions countrywide.
In recognition of this support, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to work to ensure not only that citizens have the opportunity to vote for women candidates, but that women themselves are better prepared to take on a larger political role.
The Mission's initiated in 1997 a Women in Politics Programme, in order to boost participation by women in public affairs. Since then, training and support, in the form of strategy sessions with women activists, politicians, members of Parliament, union leaders and non-governmental organizations have been offered to women in public life. Conferences, information campaigns, and seminars have been held on issues such as women's rights, women and the media, economy and privatization, women and return and legislative reform.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has quickly become the leader among the states of south-eastern and eastern Europe in terms of women's participation in public life. The OSCE Mission is proud to have taken a leading role in this progress, and to serve as a sponsor of the Stability Pact Gender Task Force.
--
For more information please contact OSCE Acting Spokesperson, Henning Philipp, at +387 33 292 153 or at +387 66 144 300.