Sarajevo, 30 May 2025 – Sixteen parliamentarians from across Eastern Europe and Asia gathered in Sarajevo this week to study the progress Bosnia and Herzegovina has made in advancing gender equality.

The study tour was organized by UNFPA’s Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, in partnership with the Agency for Gender Equality of Bosnia and Herzegovina Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees (MHRR), the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD), and the Asian Population and Development Association (APDA). It brought together parliamentarians from Armenia, Albania, Japan, Kyrgyz Republic, Malaysia, North Macedonia, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan.

Samra Filipović-Hadžiabdić, Director of the Agency for Gender Equality of Bosnia and Herzegovina MHRR, remarked: "The Agency for Gender Equality of Bosnia and Herzegovina is proud to host this important study tour, which brings together parliamentarians from across the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region to learn from our experiences in advancing gender equality. As we continue our efforts to implement gender-responsive policies, we believe that collaboration and knowledge exchange are key to achieving sustainable progress. This event underscores the importance of shared commitment and partnership in creating a more equitable society for women and girls."

The two-day visit, designed to foster knowledge exchange and peer learning, included interactive sessions with experts, site visits to relevant government agencies and civil society organizations, and workshops on advancing gender equality. Participants examined Bosnia and Herzegovina’s legal and institutional frameworks for gender equality, discussing how to effectively implement policies that address critical issues such as gender-based violence, women’s economic empowerment, and political underrepresentation.

In her opening remarks, Justine Coulson, UNFPA Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasized the significance of the event: "This study tour reflects our shared commitment to advancing gender equality in the region. Together, we explored practical strategies to overcome barriers and ensure that gender equality becomes a cornerstone for human rights, social cohesion, and sustainable development."

The study tour built upon the momentum of the 2024 Regional Parliamentarian Conference in Dushanbe, which highlighted the importance of women’s participation in development and decision-making.

This initiative was made possible through the support of the Japan Trust Fund.