WFD’s women’s political leadership mentorship programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina shows how support for women’s political leadership can foster stability at the same time as helping partners to address problems their citizens face. 

Conflict and politics in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Whilst Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is no longer at war, conflict and polarization continue to underpin politics, which remains entwined with ethnopolitical identity.

But WFD’s “More than a Quota” women’s political leadership mentorship programme demonstrates that resistance to cross-ethnic collaboration can be overcome.

Bringing together women politicians from different religious, ethnic, and political party backgrounds, WFD’s “More than a Quota” programme encouraged them to come together to address barriers to political participation for women in BiH and tackle issues that are important to citizens.  

The cross-ethnic relationships built through the programme have proven to be sustainable, with participants continuing to collaborate on broader issues. Policy initiatives were developed and implemented though local governments in the areas of health, entrepreneurship, and climate and environment.

Working together for clean air in schools

Our “More than a Quota” women’s political leadership mentorship programme provided groups of younger women with peer-to-peer support from more senior women politicians.  

One of the groups identified indoor air pollution in schools as a major issue for locals.  

Supported by WFD, they used scientific evidence for an advocacy campaign and developed and submitted an initiative to address the issue to local parliamentary procedures. 

The initiative was adopted in three cantons and the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport of Zenica-Doboj Canton invested in clean air for elementary schools. The House of Peoples, one of the two chambers of the Parliament of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, adopted a resolution on indoor air and the government committed to develop a legislation to tackle the issue.

The connection between democracy, peace and stability

Evidence shows that there is both a correlation between democracy and peace between states as well as a correlation between strong democracy and absence of internal conflict. When one is deficient, the other one is endangered.  

Conflicts are an inseparable part of political life but they do not always lead to violence. Stability happens when conflicts can be managed peacefully or even resolved – something that WFD can help with.  

Why women’s political leadership matters for peace and stability

A growing number of studies indicate that the engagement of women in peace processes is linked to more sustainable peace, better outcomes for diverse segments of society and more inclusive polices. And, women’s participation in governance processes following peace agreements is essential for ensuring a peaceful transition and long-term stability.

Joint research by WFD and the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at Kings College London demonstrates a relationship between women’s political leadership and a reduced likelihood to go to war. Further evidence shows a strong link between gender inequality and outbreaks of violent conflict.

There is also a direct link between the status and safety of women in a country and the state of its governance, as well as whether it complies with international norms in the international system.

WFD’s support for women’s political leadership is therefore an essential part of ensuring stable societies and political systems that deliver for everyone.

WFD’s contribution and gender and conflict-sensitive approach

Through our programmes, we frequently work to transform relationships between parties struggling to address apparently incompatible goals. We work to address structural causes of conflict that help to build strong, inclusive processes and institutions that enable non-violent conflict resolution.  

At WFD, all our programmes are gender and conflict sensitive. Our analysis of power relations is integral to our programme design and implementation. This can include gendered social, political and economic dynamics, and factors that undermine security and stability.