About us
The "Policewomen's Network" Association headquartered in Sarajevo and officially registered in early 2012, brings together policewomen from 16 institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of B&H, State Investigation and Protection Agency, Border Police of B&H, Administration of federal police, Police of the Brčko District of B&H, ten cantonal Ministries of the Interior, and Court Police of Federation of B&H). The Association is a non-partisan, non-governmental and non-profit organization, operating over the whole territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with around 400 members.
| Basic information | |
|---|---|
| The "Policewomen’s network" Associatin | The "Policewomen’s network" Association |
| Address | Tina Ujevića 1, 71 000 Sarajevo |
| Contact telephone | +387 33 280 020; +387 61 201 705 |
| info@udruzenjemps.ba | |
| President | Kristina Jozić |
| Vice President | Lejla Bejtić |
At the 7th Assembly of Police Women's Network held on 10 May 2018, a Decision on changing the original name of the Association - "Woman Police Officers Network” was adopted. A new name – “Policewomen's network” contains a gender sensitive language and is utterly in accordance with the goals and mission of the Association. At the same session, a Decision on the joining policewomen from Court Police of Federation of B&H to the Association was adopted.
The "Policewomen's Network" Association is a part of the Women Police Officers Network - WPON, which is one of the projects of the South East European Police Headquarters Association (SEPCA).
Initiative for the establishment of the "Police women's Network" Association was launched in 2008, when two police officers from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina were appointed to join WPON. The implementation of this initiative has already begun in 2009. After a series of activities and the creation of the necessary assumptions, the Association was officially registered in 2012, and Bosnia and Herzegovina became the first country in the region to realize the initiative.
After the establishment, great support for the Association was provided by: Gender Equality Agency of BiH, UNDP, UN Women, Women to Women Association, Gender Center FBiH, Association "Legal Assistance to Women" and others.
The aim of both this project and the established networks is the promotion of gender equality and democratic principles in the police work, and the improvement of the integrity and status of policewomen in law enforcement agencies. Through WPON, “Policewomen's Network” cooperates with policewomen from across the region with the aim of exchanging experience and improving the position of women in police services.
The main goal of the Association is to promote gender equality and integrate gender issues into all spheres of the police work, with particular emphasis on increasing the number of women in the police in general, especially in managerial positions (decision-making position) from which women are almost entirely left out.
Modern police in a democratic society should ensure the highest security level for all citizens, which can only be achieved by optimally utilized labor force, which implies equal participation of men and women.
Mission
To unite, raise awareness of gender equality and strengthen the capacity of policewomen.
Vision
The association envisions a state where police reflect the diversity of the society they serve and where human rights are protected.
Objectives and activities of the Association shall be:
- association of police women aimed to improve the position of women in police services and in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
- raising awareness of women and men in police on gender equality and support to the promotion of the network of women in the police;
- provision of recommendations for police services and wider community on best practices related to the mission of the Association;
- advocacy of gender sensitive police education;
- exchange of experiences and information with the same or similar associations, as well as other authorities and organisations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and abroad;
- provision of advice to police services on important issues related to the position of women in police and gender equality;
- cooperation with competent institutions, bodies, non-government and international organisations with reference to the position of women in the field of security;
- exchange of information between the members of the Association on the position of women in police and gender issues in practice of the performance of police duties;
- professional development of members by information exchange and other types of additional education;
- organisation of seminars, professional meetings, round tables, conferences with the aim of achieving goals of the Association;
- publication of books, booklets, specialised literature and other publications aimed to meet the objectives of the Association, in line with the Law;
- provision of information for the public about the work and activities of the Association;
- initiative with competent bodies to develop optimum conditions aimed to meet the objectives of the Association by Law and other regulations;
- inclusion of individuals in charge of gender issues in police bodies and their networking;
- provision of support and assistance to young personnel by scholarships, trainings and other types of education.