Transcript Slide 1
Economic Empowerment and Poverty Reduction of Women in Bosnia Herzegovina Our mission BHWI Foundation is non-governmental, non-political, non-profit organisation that supports joint activities of women NGOs and women groups for the empowerment of women through social, economic and educational programmes. Through these programmes it aims to encourage women’s participation in the transformation of B&H society in which they will have equal role in public and private everyday life. Our goals Creating a sustainable fond for a long-term support to women NGOs and women groups as well as associations interested in women’s advocacy in general Advocating for better legal and political framework that will secure that woman in B&H society gets equal role in public and private everyday life. Providing support for social, economic and educational programmes for women as well as programmes of creation of gender policies Strengthening of local democracy and development of civil society through supporting women’s participation in local initiatives Supporting joint activities of gender oriented NGOs and women groups and creating preconditions for sustainability of NGOs through providing help in building and development of their capacities Supporting co-operation between civil, governmental and business sector through the development of joint programmes Supporting inter-regional co-operation between women networks, associations and groups through joint programmes Advisory Board Governing Board Executive director Subcommittee for Procedures Subcommittee for Programme development Subcommittee for Fundraising Programme manager Finance manager Accountant Subcommittee for Human Resources Subcommittee for PR Economic empowerment and poverty reduction of women in BiH Integrated Community Services Support to persons under international protection Women in decision making Program “Economic Empowerment and Poverty Reduction of Women in Bosnia-Herzegovina” is focusing on • income-generation, education, skills training and professional development programs for women aiming at job creation and easier access to resources and job market and • programs of co-operation with private, governmental and public sector, aiming at creation of a better legal and socio-economic framework for employment / self-employment of women, and raising public awareness on unequal economic status of women and poverty of women as one of a direct consequences of gender discrimination • Empowerment of women for activating own potentials in fighting poverty and gender discrimination Until today, BHWI supported more than 1300 women. Program targets vulnerable categories of women who do not have access to other sources of financing Women single heads of households single mothers women over 45 years of age Unemployed URBAN Illiterate women who lost jobs as a consequence of the war and transition Women with disabilities victims of domestic violence women and girls at the most risk of first time job seekers becoming victims of trafficking minorities Roma RURAL users of social benefit displaced Results started their own business 36 Income-generation activities in Safe Houses; 62 Advocacy/Education Gender sensitive budgeting 240 Self employed through business start-up ; 276 Employed in companies 67 Employed in companies 67 Work in agriculture 133 Skilled training Prequalification Education 513 Cottage industry 276 Advocacy Initiatives Gender sensitive budgeting 240 Registered own business 36 Income-generation in safe Houses 62 Work in agriculture; 133 Completed skilled training/Education 513 BHWI gives priority to projects whose implementation includes different stakeholders in the community or projects that fit within local development plan, thus securing long term sustainability of projects. That way, project beneficiaries are able to access additional sources of financing especially (e.g. incentives from the state for business development). Principle of Equal Opportunities. All of Us are Entrepreneurs. As a local grant maker BHWI has a great knowledge of local needs and conditions. In that sense BHWI Foundation provides targeted support, funding both traditional and non traditional activities. Tailored training for improvement of job seeking skills, in the case of young Roma woman, maybe means ONLY basic literacy training. BHWI strongly supports projects of education and skilled training believing that only through constant improvement of knowledge, skills and abilities women can become competitive on the job market and make safe life choices.