Sarajevo, 12 March 2025 – The UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund, in partnership with the Committee for Gender Equality, the Council for Economic and Financial Affairs, the Committee for Labour and Social Policy, and the Directorate for European Integration, successfully concluded a two-day workshop aimed at advancing family-friendly policies in FBiH. The event gathered members of the Parliament of FBiH, policymakers, and experts to bolster capabilities in designing, implementing, and monitoring family policies that align with EU Directive 2019/1158.
To help women and men balance work responsibilities with family, care, and domestic obligations across the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the workshop laid a solid foundation for future legislative advancements, ensuring fair and inclusive labor practices. Through interactive panel discussions, expert-led sessions, and collaborative activities, participants pinpointed key legislative amendments critical for promoting gender equality and equitable labour conditions. These amendments include introducing parental leave, flexible parental leave rights, breastfeeding leave at the employee’s discretion, flexible working hours, and paid leave entitlements for caring for a sick family member, and paternity leave.
Across the Western Balkans, women’s labour force participation is significantly lower than men’s, while their burden of unpaid care work is much higher. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, women spend twice as much time on unpaid work caring for family members and doing domestic chores. Additionally, less than half of all women are economically active. At the same time, in the face of high outward migration, employers are struggling to find skilled workers to ensure business sustainability and growth.
Considering the importance of ongoing dialogue on equality in society, and as a continuation of observance of the International Women's Day, the workshop highlighted the participants' strong commitment to gender equality, emphasizing the importance of inclusive and fair labor practices in Federation Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the coming period, the UNFPA, along with the UN Women, will initiate further consultations to integrate more family-friendly policies into the relevant legislation. A similar process will be launched in the Republika Srpska later this year.
The workshop was part of the “Expanding Choices” program, funded by the Austrian Development Cooperation and dedicated to promoting family-friendly policies. This program addresses persistent gender inequalities and discriminatory norms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, factors that significantly impact female employment rates and work-life balance, leading to slower socio-economic development.
By advocating for policies that involve both parents, the Expanding Choices initiative aims to economically and socially empower women, contributing to gender equality, economic growth, and demographic resilience.
