The collection of alimony in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is still a long-term and exhausting struggle for many parents. Although there are legally binding court decisions, payments are delayed or absent, while the needs of the children cannot wait. Unlike the Federation, Republika Srpska already has a law on temporary child support.
Nahira Vardo divorced after years of violence in her marriage. The court ordered an alimony of 100 marks, but he still does not receive the money.
“He does everything privately, he doesn’t want to work for the company, he knows he will be fired, he won’t join the company at all because of alimony. In 2021, he was given the decision to pay.”
Although child support is a legal obligation, in practice court decisions are often not implemented.
Bojana Jovanović from the Center for Women’s Rights Zenica reminds that according to the FBiH Family Law, child support is a legal obligation of parents.
“Then the parent with whom the child lives, most often the mother, in addition to the daily care of the child, also has the additional financial burden of fully supporting the child. While the procedures are ongoing, the children’s needs cannot wait.”
Since the beginning of 2025 alone, the Center for Women’s Rights Zenica has provided more than 400 services in cases of maintenance problems, and more than a hundred female clients sought help precisely because of the collection of alimony.
The Federation has been talking about a systemic solution to the problem for years. One of the models advocated by ombudsmen is an alimony fund – the state would temporarily provide money to the child, and then claim it from the parent who does not pay alimony. In the Republic of Srpska, the law on temporary child support came into force at the beginning of April. Such a law has not yet been adopted in the Federation.
Aleksandra Marin-Diklić, assistant ombudsman for human rights of BiH and head of the Department for Children’s Rights, warns:
“A court decision can oblige the parent to pay. But until that decision is enforced, the child’s bill is still usually paid by the parent with whom the child lives.”
Bojana Jovanović believes that the experiences of countries where alimony funds exist show that such a model could be a solution for children in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Through the establishment of alimony funds in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we enable children in FBiH to have a dignified life.”
