Gender and Security Sector Reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina

This report, launched 7 December 2011, presents the findings and analysis generated by a needs assessment on gender and security sector reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The needs assessment was a joint initiative by the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces and two BiH civil society organisations − the Atlantic Initiative and �ene �enama − with the objective to examine and outline national- and local level good practices on gender and security sector reform, as well as areas where further improvements are required.

The report provides data and analysis on the current state of gender integration in the armed forces, police, judiciary, and penal institutions at the central, entity, and cantonal levels and Brčko District. It examines the implementation of relevant national legislation and international instruments and explores the gender sensitivity of current policies and practices as well as the role of civil society organisations working on gender and security.

The report is fruit of a year-long effort involving desk research, individual interviews with a broad range of stakeholders and twelve local and entity-level consultations conducted in twelve municipalities throughout BiH including Banja Luka and Sarajevo.