A panel was held in Sarajevo on the topic: "The role of women in the police in B&H - challenges and opportunities"

On 07.11.2025. the Annual conference of the EUPA4BiH project - European Union Support to Police Agencies of Bosnia and Herzegovina was held in Sarajevo. As part of the aforementioned event, a special panel was held on the topic: "The Role of Women in the Police in B&H - Challenges and Opportunities". The panel was led by a policewomen from the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of B&H, Kristina Jozić, also an active member of the "Policewomen's Network" Association.  

The panel participants were: Mirsad Ahmić, Major General of the Armed Forces of B&H, Denis Hadžović, President of the Center for Security Studies of B&H, Edita Miftari, expert for the "Women, Peace and Security" program of UN Women and Adnan Kadribašić, expert on gender equality.

The panel discussed many important topics regarding the current state of gender equality in the security sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially the underrepresentation of women in general and in senior and management positions. The discussion focused on the implementation of the Law on Gender Equality in BiH and UN Resolution 1325 "Women, Peace and Security" and the need for increased participation of women in the military, police and peacekeeping missions, including greater participation in decision-making positions.

The need for more intensive application of the so-called "affirmative action" measures in accordance with the provisions of the CEDAW Convention and the Law on Gender Equality in BiH was also discussed, which will enable women to advance to higher positions. It was concluded that the competent authorities in BiH should work more decisively on the implementation of the Law on Gender Equality in BiH and adopt special programs of measures to improve the state of gender equality with specific measures and deadlines for implementation.

The panel repeatedly emphasized that gender equality issues are not issues of current trends, nor exclusively issues of human rights, but ultimately, above all, a question of the efficiency of police authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was concluded that more women in the police bring more trust, a response to the security needs of the entire society, better results and ultimately more efficient combating of crime.

The conference brought together key stakeholders from the security sector: representatives of police and judicial institutions, civil society organizations, and state bodies.