Sarajevo, 15 June 2023 - UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, in cooperation with the Government of the Czech Republic, dm drogerie markt BiH and the Mozaik Foundation, is announcing the launch of a project of training unemployed mothers for the labor market. As part of the project, 30 selected unemployed mothers with a child or children of preschool age will be given the opportunity to be trained at work for a period of three months.

“A recent UN study found that greater gender parity in the workforce would do much more for economic sustainability in aging, low-fertility societies than simply returning to higher fertility rates. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, currently half of women of working age are outside of the labor market and do not earn any income to support themselves and their families. As it is about the huge potential of more than half a million unemployed women, it is necessary to support them through strengthening their skills, as well as to enable them to provide social care for their children so that they have time for active participation in the labor market”, said the UNFPA Representative in BiH, John Kennedy Mosotti.

We are aware that mothers often face challenges that can make it difficult for them to participate in the labor market. Lack of relevant skills, lack of support in childcare and insufficient adaptability of employers are just some of the problems mothers are facing.

Member of the dmBiH Board, Emina Mušinović, pointed out: “The business principles of dmBiH refer, among other things, to active participation in the activities of the local community. We are a proud partner of this project through which we will provide the necessary training for 30 mothers throughout BiH. Such an experience, for which they will receive compensation, will be a great opportunity for them to enter the labor market, be competitive, get a job and generate income”.

By joining the labor market, these mothers would ensure additional income for their own families, contribute to the socioeconomic development of BiH, and reduce the negative effects of the shrinking labor force on the domestic labor market. Building demographically resilient societies is the best way to manage demographic changes.

“The government of the Czech Republic has recognized the great importance of empowering mothers, and thereby of strengthening the economy of BiH, and has decided to support the efforts of UNFPA in piloting this project. We are glad that dm-drogerie markt joined us. Our goal is for employers to see the great potential that lies in this often neglected group of people, and for mothers with children of preschool age to feel empowered to join the labor market”, said Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Bosnia and Herzegovina, H.E. Ivana Hlavsová.

We invite all interested mothers, who are unable to work due to child care, to apply for participation in the project by June 25, 2023. For more information, application requirements and filing applications, please, visit the UNFPA BiH Facebook page.