“In Republika Srpska I see many remarkable women in politics, and the same is true at the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This reflects the openness of our society, where women can take positions that once traditionally belonged to men,” said Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željka Cvijanović following the International Conference on the Political and Economic Empowerment of Women in Belgrade.
Cvijanović emphasized that the SNSD, the political party she belongs to and represents, has always opened doors for the equal participation of both men and women. “It’s one thing to set quotas for women’s participation through legislation, but it’s another to truly provide opportunities for women to reach significant positions not only in legislative bodies but also in executive power,” she stated.
She noted that there are no barriers in this regard and that she sees many capable and successful women active in politics in Republika Srpska. “Of course, I know most of them from SNSD, but I also recognize women’s participation in other parties. This is a reflection of a democratic society and proof that we are removing barriers. There are still some ingrained attitudes, but those traditional approaches have been successfully overcome. What remains is joint work without rivalry or competition, but rather partnership and shared results,” Cvijanović added.
She stressed that conferences such as the one held today in Belgrade serve as an opportunity to highlight the importance of men and women working together in all spheres of life. “The key is to show this in practice—by enabling women to be nominated, supported, and appointed by their political parties to important positions where they can function effectively,” Cvijanović said.
She added that at this conference she shared some of her own experiences with participants.
The International Conference on the Political and Economic Empowerment of Women, held at the Palace of Serbia, aims to inspire a new future for women based on equality, dignity, and partnership.
Source: RTRS
