After the general elections held in B&H on October 12th, around one thousand positions will be filled via political nominations and indirect elections, including all state, entity and cantonal ministers and deputies of ministers, chairman of parliaments and assemblies as well as hundreds of counsellors and other positions at different levels. It’s almost twice the number of positions filled by direct elections. – was stated at the OSCE. – reports Bljesak.
Although the parties respected the 40 % quota on their candidate lists, as it was prescribed by the Election Law of B&H, it does not necessary lead to a balanced representation of both genders in the parliaments, assemblies and governments.
The post-election process of nomination represents a legal duty and chance to improve this condition given the fact that women participated little in the past four year period in the political life. After the elections in 2010, women’s participation in politics in the legislative bodies was only 20 %.
No woman ever had the function do a minister in the Council of ministers of B&H. There were only six women in the RS Government and one in the FB&H Government.
These 20 % represents only one half of what is prescribed by the Law on gender equality in B&H.
“The political parties have the obligation to promote gender equality not only on the candidate lists before the elections but after the elections too. We expect from them to respect this Law. The positions which are being filled via indirect elections and political nominations carry enormous authorizations within them and they need to be equally available to man and women.” – stated ambassador Jonathan Moore, head of the OSCE Mission in B&H.
(Source: Radio Sarajevo)
