The High Representative in BiH, Valentin Inzko, congratulated all women in Bosnia and Herzegovina on the occassion of 8 March, International Women’s Day.
It is my deep belief that just one day in the year, although important, is not sufficient to give recognition to women and their accomplishments. Nor is it sufficient to focus for just one day on what still needs to be done to empower women to achieve true equality with men. Nor is it sufficient to focus for just one day on the need to step up efforts to prevent violence against women, and to improve women’s access to quality health care.
Regarding the representation of women in the public sector, it is crucial to remember that BiH Law is clear: women are to be represented at a level of at least 40% in political life. Citizens went to the polls last October. As new governments around the country are formed and as many new senior officials are appointed to public institutions, I call once again upon all competent authorities to keep these legal requirements in mind.
I would like to take the opportunity on International Women’s Day to say clearly: we cannot let women in Bosnia and Herzegovina be on the margins of society for the other 364 days of the year. To paraphrase this year’s United Nations slogan for International Women’s Day, to empower women is to empower humanity.