Empowered for the Future: How the Training Programme Changed the Lives of 28 Women in BiH

Sarajevo, September 10, 2024 - The final conference of the second phase of the training programme for long-term unemployed women aged 40 to 49, entitled “Strengthening BiH’s demographic resilience through training of women for the labour market”, has been held in Sarajevo today. This project, jointly implemented by UNFPA, the Government of the Czech Republic, dm drogerie markt d.o.o. and Mozaik Foundation, enabled 28 unemployed women to acquire skills through paid three - month training, increasing their chances of employment and financial stability.

“This project is essential for relying on one's own human capital for the socio-economic development of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bearing in mind that more than half a million women and men in BiH are outside the labour market, by training them and improving the skills needed in the labour market, we enable them to regain their dignity and ensure a better future for themselves and their families, and at the same time to accelerate the socio-economic development of the country”, said Marina Riđić, UNFPA Assistant Representative in BiH.

The second phase of the project built on the success of the first phase, focused on training unemployed mothers of preschool children. This time, the focus was on women in the fifth decade of their lives, who have a huge potential for development that needs to be recognized and empowered so that employers see them as strong human capital and an instrument of development.

“We are pleased that for the second year in a row, together with our partners, we are providing support for the professional development of women in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are aware of the challenges that women - especially those aged 40-49 - face on the local labour market, which inevitably affects the motivation factor, self-confidence and even the mental health of women. It is for this reason that as a socially responsible company, business community, and employer, whose communication focus in the past two years has been women's health, we care to support women, motivate them and inspire them to talk and make positive changes. In the past months, 28 women were given the opportunity to start their career path at dm, to develop and recognize their skills, which they were often unaware of. This is the beginning that was necessary for women, especially women of the above-mentioned age, to get to know themselves and their potential”, said Emina Mušinović, Board Member and Human Resources and IT Manager at dm drogerie markt d.o.o.

“We are extremely proud of the results of this project. Changing the life of even one woman for the better means starting changing an entire community. The Government of the Czech Republic will continue to support such projects that bring about a real change in society”, said H.E. Jana K. Lolić Šindelková, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to BiH.

During the conference, the programme participants shared their experiences and the challenges they faced, as well as the successes they had achieved through the training. One of the participants, who finally got a job opportunity, pointed out, “Employers are mostly looking for a younger workforce, but my generation is very capable of working. Regardless of numerous job applications, so far, I have not had the opportunity to learn and be accepted to the business environment. I am happy that there are projects that empower women in BiH, because I want to work and achieve at least a minimum income in my old age”.

Another participant, who found new hope through this programme, added: “It is very important for me to get involved in a new business environment and get out of the monotonous everyday life. At the age of 47, I lost hope of employment, and this programme and my work colleagues helped me and showed me that I can still learn, work and progress. I feel happier and more complete as a woman”.

“This project provided a unique opportunity to empower women, who, under the conditions of strong fluctuations and dynamic changes in the labour market, represent an extremely valuable potential for employers in search of a loyal and capable workforce. By providing more job opportunities for unemployed women of this age group, we directly contribute to strengthening Bosnia and Herzegovina’s demographic resilience”, said Vilma Tunjić Juzbašić, Chief Sustainability Officer at the Mozaik Foundation.

Thanks to the support of partners, the project enabled not only training, but also concrete opportunities for employment, which directly contributes to increased productivity and accelerated socio-economic development of BiH on its path towards membership of the European Union.

About UNFPA: The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. UNFPA is dedicated to ensuring that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled.