Women’s Voices for Peace and Security

Organized from 03 to 06 November 2025 in Bijeljina by the Lara Foundation, under the United Nations Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) in Bosnia and Herzegovina programme Women Lead the Way Towards Peace and Security in BiH (WPS), jointly implemented by UN Women, UNFPA and IOM in partnership with the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the camp gathered more than 20 peacebuilders, activists and community leaders from across the country. 

Over four days, participants connected, exchanged experiences, explored the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda, and reflected on how women’s leadership and solidarity can strengthen safer and more inclusive communities.

Ljilja Lukić, Project Coordinator at the Lara Foundation stressed:

“The camp showed that the strength of women is immense, and that they are often unaware of the changes they have already brought to their communities. In a political environment such as ours, working on peacebuilding requires courage, and the participants demonstrated both courage and commitment.” 

Through dialogue and group work, participants mapped local initiatives that have improved conditions for women — from advocacy for access to health services to community safety actions and campaigns addressing gender-based violence. One particularly powerful story came from women living in rural areas who must travel more than 60 kilometers to access basic gynecological care. The discussion sparked immediate solidarity and led participants to begin shaping a joint advocacy initiative.

Jelena Tučić, Communications Coordinator at the Udružene žene Foundation in Banja Luka shared her impressions:

“The most important message I carry from the camp is the strength and power that women have when they come together. Only here did I fully realize how many changes were achieved thanks to women’s initiatives, often without us even noticing.” 

Sessions led by experts explored the WPS Agenda, the history of feminist movements in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the often-overlooked role of women in local peacebuilding processes. Participants also discussed institutional cooperation in responding to violence against women, engaging with representatives of the security sector, legal professionals, and local gender equality mechanisms.

Ifeta Ćesir Škoro, President of the Initiative of Women and Citizens of Mostar said:

The atmosphere throughout the camp was collaborative, reflective, and energizing. “I witnessed the power of women to move mountains — and they truly do. Four days passed without a feeling of fatigue. Instead, they gave me motivation and strength.” 

Camp facilitator Slobodan Blagovčanin described the space as one defined by empathy, solidarity, and ideas, recalling how participants began developing joint solutions to improve women’s access to healthcare — even when the issue did not directly affect them personally.

In the coming months, participants will carry this momentum forward by conducting community-level safety assessments aimed at identifying key risks and opportunities for strengthening women’s protection and participation. The findings will contribute to broader efforts under this joint programme to advance the WPS Agenda at both local and country levels.