The Commission for Gender Equality of the Assembly of the Canton Sarajevo, in cooperation with the Gender Center of the Government of FBiH, today held a thematic session “Criminal situation in the field of violence against women and domestic violence” with the aim of taking measures to review responses regarding the protection of victims and the prosecution of perpetrators of violence against women and domestic violence.
The Prime Minister of the Sarajevo Canton, Nihad Uk, told the media before the start of the session that he was satisfied that various reports of professional associations and non-governmental organizations stated that the CS had made the most progress in the prevention and fight against domestic violence.
“We are the only canton that has taken over the financing of safe houses, and through the Center for Social Work, CS takes care of women who need to pay old age, utilities and ensure their livelihood so that they do not return to the abuser,” said Uk.
He announced the support of the CS Government for all conclusions adopted by the Commission, as well as those that will be adopted in the coming period through interdepartmental, inter-entity and cantonal and state action.
The President of the Commission, Vildana Bešlija, stated that among the proposed conclusions, it is a priority to take all actions under the authority of police officers and other authorized officials for every report of violence against women and domestic violence, in which the victim will be put first, including indirect victims of violence.
“Also, we will propose ensuring the adoption and implementation of prohibition and protective measures for victims of violence against women and domestic violence in accordance with the FBiH Criminal Code and the FBiH Criminal Procedure Code, i.e. in accordance with the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence, as well as the development of a comprehensive assessment of the vulnerability of the victim and taking all actions under the authority of police officers and other authorized officials in order to ensure the consistent implementation of prohibition and protective measures,” stated Bešlija.
Lejla Hodović from the Office for Gender Equality of the FBiH Government emphasized that cooperation between the cantonal and federal levels of government is inevitable in that process and called on other cantons to copy the way of cooperation between cantonal assemblies, cantonal ministries and federal institutions.
