Photo: Kvinna till Kvinna/Johanna Arkåsen

The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Kvinna till Kvinna has supported women’s rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 1993. Since the war (1992-1995), the country has made notable strides in rebuilding its civil society, strengthening democratic institutions, and advancing progressive legislation. Yet, the lasting impact of violence has left a deep mark on the country.

During the war, it is estimated over 20,000 women suffered rape and other forms of sexual violence. The courage of those who spoke out played a crucial role in changing international humanitarian law, leading to the recognition of rape as a war crime. Yet, many survivors are still waiting for justice, while perpetrators remain unpunished.

Women and citizens were entirely excluded from peace negotiations that brought end to the war but didn’t secure lasting peace. Instead, it left the country even more divided, with political instabilities and tensions continuing to date.

Women’s movement has been central to efforts not just to support survivors, but to confront the root causes of inequality and conflict. Our Bosnian partners promote inclusive peacebuilding, gender equality and the rule of law.

Why we work in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Decades after the war, Bosnia and Herzegovina is still living with its scars—divided communities, unresolved trauma, and deep-rooted inequalities.

On paper, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s equality legislation is progressive. In reality, its implementation is patchy and widespread discrimination remains. Women earn less than men and rarely get paid maternity leave. Politics is male-dominated, so women engage with civil society to make their voices heard and count,

In the face of this, the Bosnian women’s movement promotes peace and dialogue, bridging divides between communities. It calls for accountability for wartime sexual violence, and stricter sentences for perpetrators of domestic violence. Through feminist organizing, they work to transform relationships fractured by conflict and build more just and inclusive futures. As the country’s progress is crippled by divisive politics and discrimination, activists have united to call for a fairer and gender equal constitution.

But opposition is fierce. With ethno-nationalist rhetoric and backlash on the rise women’s rights activists are regularly threatened as they challenge the nationalist political agenda and anti-gender narratives.

Bosnian women's rights activists preparing for an equality demonstration on 8 March, International Women's Day. Photo: Johanna Arkåsen / Kvinna till Kvinna
Bosnian women's rights activists preparing for an equality demonstration on 8 March, International Women's Day. Photo: Johanna Arkåsen / Kvinna till Kvinna

How we support women in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Together with our partner organisations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we work to:

  • Promote peace, inclusive memory, and transformative justice
  • Offer legal aid to victims/survivors of gender-based violence (GBV)
  • Counter the stigma attached to wartime sexual violence
  • Prevent GBV, including through  protests and changing harmful media narratives
  • Improve legal protection of victims/survivors of violence and discrimination
  • Demand accountability by monitoring trials in cases of GBV
  • Push for women’s rights, participation and perspectives in  decision-making and reform processes
  • Advance equality through feminist culture and art

The Balkans: where it all started

Kvinna till Kvinna was founded in 1993 as a reaction to mass rape in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the wars and ethnic cleansing that followed the breakup of Yugoslavia. Swedish women started raising money to support local women’s rights organisations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Photo: Imrana Kapetanovic

Our partner organisations in Bosnia & Herzegovina

  • Association for Culture and Art CRVENA
  • Center for Women’s Rights (CWR)
  • Citizens’ Initiative Mostar (IGM)
  • CURE Foundation
  • Foundation United Women Banja Luka (FUW)
  • Foundation Zenski Centar Trebinje
  • Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Banja Luka (hCa)
  • It’s All Witches
  • Lara Foundation
  • Roma women association Bolja budućnost Tuzla
  • The Association for the Promotion of Urban Culture, Contemporary and Public Art “Rezon”
  • The Citizens’ Association Vive žene Tuzla
  • TRIAL International
Photo: Imrana Kapetanović

Peace without a gender perspective

In 1995, the Dayton Peace Agreement ended the four-year war and bloodshed in Bosnia and Herzegovina while also becoming a part of the country’s constitution.

Yet neither women nor civil society were invited to take part in the externally brokered peace talks. As a result, the BiH Constitution entirely lacks a civic and gender perspective, favoring dominant ethnic groups over broader human rights. It also established an immensely complex political structure, which deepened inequalities and made it difficult for citizens to  enact change.

News from our partners in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Solidarity is Our Strength: Regional Networking and Exchange Forum

At a time when the challenges faced by women’s rights activists are intensifying, the call for feminist solidarity and collaboration has never been more urgent, as highlighted at the recent Regional Networking and Exchange Forum for Feminist Strategies — “Solidarity is Our Strength.” The Forum was organised by The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, with support from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

20 February 2025

EU must pressure to stop Foreign Agent Law in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina

15 May 2024

Providing psychological support to survivors of gender-based violence

For many victims and survivors of gender-based violence, having access to a safe space and receiving psychological support is vital to help them move forward. In Grozdana Panić’s experience as a psychologist, the work to assist survivors throughout their process can be both challenging and fulfilling.

7 February 2024

The power of resilience: Rebuilding life after domestic abuse

Economic dependence, disability, and fear of losing her children: Leaving her abusive husband of ten years was all but an easy decision for Milijana Krsmanović. After seeking support from a local women’s rights organisation, she found the strength to reclaim her life and independence.

18 December 2023

On the frontline for abused women in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Triggers, trauma and processing. When Meliha Sendić as a young law student started working at a women’s rights organisation supporting victims and survivors of violence, she had to come to terms with her own experiences of abuse.

27 February 2023

“Not only a war story”: the everyday battle of a feminist

Three decades ago, Duška Andrić felt a calling deep inside of her. A roar from suffering women that she just couldn’t ignore. In the midst of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, she started working for women’s rights. She talked with us about what it takes to be a feminist and create change that lasts.

27 February 2023

Last updated or reviewed 23 June 2025