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Building a Network of Women’s Rights Ambassadors for Economic Empowerment and Social Equality
The Center for Education and Research “Nahla,” in partnership with DVV International – Office for Bosnia and Herzegovina and the SARA Association from Srebrenica, has launched an important project titled “From Empowerment to Change – Ambassadors of Women’s Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” funded by the European Union.
Our shared goal is to raise women's awareness of their rights and equip them with the knowledge and skills to face challenges and advocate for change in their communities. These activities aim to create a network of women who understand their rights and use what they’ve learned to drive positive change—for themselves and those around them. Through workshops, participants will gain tools, information, and support, which are essential for achieving economic independence and living with dignity.
Responding to Real Community Needs: Education on Women's Economic and Social Rights, Activism, and Empowerment
The educational program planned for 2025 is designed as a comprehensive framework focused on:
- Women's economic and social rights, with an emphasis on activism and personal empowerment,
- Awareness of international standards and relevant local laws.
Participants will attend workshops on key topics such as the right to work, access to healthcare, violence prevention, social services, advocacy, and relevant EU policies.
This program responds to real needs identified by future trainers—women who, through their own or their community’s experiences, have witnessed rights violations, violence, and the impact of lacking information. Their personal struggles, activism, and professional backgrounds make them highly relevant leaders for this initiative. They also highlighted that many positive community efforts remain unnoticed due to dominant negative narratives, while good local laws and policies often lack visibility. This program aims to address those specific local needs, highlight positive change, and empower women for future challenges. It is tailored to each community rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
Community Trainers and Educational Program
The program will engage 200 women from Unsko-sanski Canton, Birač Region, and Tuzla Canton. Training sessions will be led by 12 skilled and committed local trainers.
These trainers have professional experience in psychology, education, law, sociology, and community work. They also bring valuable skills in working with diverse groups and using modern, participatory teaching methods. Their expertise will be key in supporting and empowering participants throughout the program.
Using interactive methods, trainers will help participants build practical skills and tools for everyday life and advocating for their rights, supported by a “training of trainers” session held in Tuzla on December 7–8, 2024.
The first day focused on adult education, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Amina Isanović Hadžiomerović, covering motivation, planning, and evaluation through hands-on activities. The second day, guided by MSc Fatima Bećirović, focused on practical exercises related to social and economic rights, which the trainers will later apply in their local communities.
Why This Initiative Matters Now
Lasting social change is not possible without addressing inequality, investing time and resources strategically, and applying an inclusive approach. Women in Bosnia and Herzegovina face urgent challenges—unequal access to education and employment, rising violence and femicide, limited healthcare in rural areas, and shrinking space for activism. These issues demand immediate action to ensure basic rights and opportunities for all women.
This training offers practical solutions and a platform for women to drive both personal and collective change. Through a diverse group of local activists and future trainers on social and economic rights, the importance of ongoing awareness-raising is clear. A key part of the project is that trainers will identify additional support needs during their work, including psychological help. Selected participants will receive professional mental health support, addressing specific needs and promoting their well-being. This focus is especially important because mental health remains a taboo in many Bosnian communities. Providing this support can have lasting positive effects on women’s lives and strengthens the core mission of the project
