The Center for Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Sarajevo (CIS UNSA) on Saturday launched the EU-funded initiative “Women and Security? Naturally, Absolutely!”, aimed at strengthening gender-sensitive oversight of the security sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).
As part of the initiative, the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to BiH, Julian Reilly, delivered a lecture and held discussions with students and media representatives. The event is one of six planned conversations between ambassadors, students, and the media, focusing on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security.
The initiative is implemented by the Center for Security Studies Sarajevo, the Association “Network of Policewomen” (BiH), and the Center for European Security Studies (Netherlands). It seeks to promote a better understanding of UNSCR 1325 and foster the inclusion of women in decision-making processes in the security sector.
Benjamin Plevljak, Secretary General of the Center for Security Studies, said the project will last 36 months and aims to strengthen the application of UNSCR 1325 in BiH.
“Resolution 1325 is one of the most important, if not the most important, resolutions highlighting the critical role of women in negotiation and peacebuilding processes. It recognizes that conflict impacts men and women differently, and that sustainable peace requires the inclusion of women in decision-making,” Plevljak said.
Discussions with participating ambassadors will also cover broader topics relevant to BiH, including bilateral cooperation. Ambassador Reilly focused on the role of women in government institutions and the security sector in the United Kingdom, key achievements and challenges in implementing UNSCR 1325, and the UK’s support for BiH’s security and defense sectors.
Armin Kržalić, head of the Master’s program in International and Regional Security at CIS, said the organizers hope to encourage students to better understand the importance of gender equality in conflict prevention and peacebuilding across BiH and the Western Balkans.
Rifat Škrijelj, Director of CIS, said the initiative offers BiH students a rare opportunity to engage directly with representatives of the international community.
Kristina Jozić, President of the “Network of Policewomen,” stressed the need for a stronger and more effective implementation of Resolution 1325 in BiH.
