Gender equality and victim protection initiatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, activist Željka Umićević has criticized the effectiveness of the 40 percent gender quota for political candidates. She argues that while quotas increase the number of women on lists, men continue to control top positions, key mandates, and decision-making processes. Umićević emphasizes that true political equality requires addressing the underlying structures of power and providing political mentorship to ensure women can maintain influence beyond a single mandate.

In Croatia, Minister of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy Alen Ružić met with various associations to establish operational working groups aimed at improving the protection of victims of violence. The initiative seeks to transform individual cases of violence against women and vulnerable groups into systemic solutions. The goal is to move toward a prevention-based model that connects state resources with civil society expertise to intervene before violence occurs, rather than merely reacting to it.