TOGETHER FOR A LIFE WITHOUT VIOLENCE III

supported by Kvinna till Kvinna

Project objectives:
1. Women victims of domestic violence are encouraged to report violence in Eastern Herzegovina.
2. Women victims of domestic violence are economically empowered in RS.
3. Women victims of domestic violence are informed about existing programs of economic support for 2018 targeting their category.

Achieved results:
1. Women victims of domestic violence have a quality chain of support by organizations and institutions in Eastern Herzegovina.
2. Women victims of domestic violence have a possibility of (self) employment in RS.
3. Women victims of domestic violence have an alleviated access to information about existing programs of economic support in 2018, targeting their category.

During the reporting period in partnership with “Lara” Bijeljina, our organization entirely achieved the planned targets and results.
During 2018 ”Zenski centar” put on record 147 interventions for women victims of domestic violence, what is 22.5% more compared to 2017.
In the reporting period we held 36 regular meetings of multidisciplinary team, per 6 in all 6 municipalities/city of Eastern Herzegovina (Trebinje, Ljubinje, Nevesinje, Bileca and Berkovici). At the meetings we continuously followed and discussed how to provide wider and more coordinated support to victims of domestic violence in those local communities with all signers i.e. members of the multidisciplinary team. Synchronization of individual support and help of institutions and a non-government sector brought better results and more comprehensive support to women.
The RS Government adopted women victims of domestic violence as a new category of vulnerable groups in the ”Action Plan of Employment for the RS for 2018” and there are new upcoming incentives aimed at their (self) employment. By means of the Public Call announced by the Employment Agency RS, employers were enabled to withdraw 4,000 of non-refundable funds for employment of some of three vulnerable categories of women (victims of domestic violence, rural women and unemployed middle-aged women) on the basis of this Call. The funds were provided for 75 persons. On the other hand, according to the same call, self-employment was provided for 40 persons from above listed vulnerable categories of women. Based on their business plan, for that purpose they could obtain 5,000 BAM of non-refundable funds. Therefore, overall 115 individuals obtained a possibility to get self-employment or employment through this program. Categories which had possibility to apply were: women victims of domestic violence, rural women and women who lacked not more than 3 years of insurance to meet conditions for age retirement. On the basis of the program, 10 women victims of domestic violence withdrew this incentive, i.e. all women who had applied. Besides usual documentation, victims of domestic violence should have submitted a certificate of their status (that they had been victims of domestic violence), issued by the authorised Centre for Social Work. In order to make this support as available as possible, the Employment Agency RS decided to consider certificates issued by the Police (because some victims of domestic violence are not registered in the Centres for Social Work, but in the Police). Our organisation did not only use the media (TV, radio stations, portals, printed and electronic media), but also the newly-developed online platform on our web site, the face book site of our organisation, as well as meetings organised for the purpose of it. Some of them were planned in the project, whereas, even though not planned, some of them we additionally organised with the aim of information availability to both employers and women victims of domestic violence (meetings with employers and victims in regions of Eastern Herzegovina and Bijeljina). Moreover, we used other projects to spread the information about the Public Call and we animated both women victims of domestic violence and employers to apply for it.
Activities:

A.1. Providing psycho-social support as well as multidisciplinary approach in combating domestic violence in Eastern Herzegovina
During 2018 “Zenski centar” put on record 147 interventions provided by psycho-social support. Those were mainly short-term interventions, e.g. after the act of violence when a woman wants to share her problem with someone and to relieve in that way, but she does not want to continue further with it, neither to Police, nor to Center for Social Work nor any other institution. The psychosocial support is given every work day 12 months a year.
Since the beginning of 2018, we have organized 36 meetings in six municipalities of Eastern Herzegovina, i.e. 6 in every municipality. The regular meetings were held every two months (February, April, June, August, October and December). Ever since the beginning of our common practice, institutions/organizations of the multidisciplinary team accepted invitations and attended these meetings.
A.2. Round-table meetings, lobbying and monitoring in adopting the ”Action Plan of Employment for RS for 2018” as well as the ”Program of (self) employment for RS for 2018”
From January until December, we had intense contacts with the minister of the Ministry of Labour and Veterans RS in order to fully follow and timely react if any obstruction arises in adopting the package of economic measures for women victims of domestic violence (for both 2018 and 2019). The obstruction happened eventually, but it was successfully solved with slightly decreased budget when compared to the previously intended one. There was resistance in employers and Trade Union at discussion with the Economy Committee RS, which preceded the National Assembly of the RS. The questions were raised if there was a possibility to abuse the status of a woman victim of domestic violence (so that someone who is not a victim submits a certificate in order to withdraw funds for self-employment or to obtain employment). Due to this, the announcement of the Public Call was slightly late, and therefore the time to inform victims of domestic violence was shortened (what can have a replica on the number of applied women victims of domestic violence). In order to inform as many women victims of domestic violence as possible, our organisation informed all 61 Centers for Social Work in the RS about the Public Call with a request to spread this information to all beneficiaries/women victims of domestic violence. With the aim of enabling availability of the Public Call to larger number of beneficiaries, the Employment Agency RS took into account certificates claiming the status of women victims of domestic violence issued even by Police and not only by Centers for Social Work. Overall 10 women victims of domestic violence used these funds for (self)employment. That is also the overall number of applicants, with all of them being enabled to be beneficiaries of the Program by the Employment Agency.
The round-table meeting in Banja Luka 27th April 2018, 16 participants

The round-table meeting was held on 27th April 2018 at hotel Bosna (Banjaluka) at 12 pm. The round-table meeting was realised in partnership between the Foundation ”Zenski centar” from Trebinje with the Foundation ”Lara” from Bijeljina. The participants were representatives of the Trade Union of RS, The Chamber of the Commerce and Industry of RS, the regional Chamber of the Commerce and Industry of the Banjaluka City, a representative of the Management Board of the Employment Agency RS, PhD Rajko Macura who is engaged in development of the new act of social entrepreneurship, which we still do not possess, and representatives of the few private companies.

The conclusion of the round-table meeting: The participants of the round-table meeting supported “The Action Plan of Employment for the Republic of Srpska for 2018”, particularly employment of women victims of domestic violence. They would make an effort, everyone in their own way, in their field of work to inform as many women as possible, and thus help them to become independent and empowered to leave the violent family. When the job advertisement was closed, if all the funds were not spared, there was a possibility to extend the advertisement period, what would be of great importance since it extended the period to animate as many employers as possible to use the possibility of incentives i.e. to employ as many women victims of domestic violence as possible. With the aim of animation as well as timely informing women victims of domestic violence, our organisations implemented the activities on purpose even though they were not intended by the project:
-”Ženski centar” Trebinje:

All women victims of domestic violence registered at ”Zenski Centar” Trebinje, who met conditions listed in the Public Call were contacted and informed about it, as well as that we were at their disposal for any additional information and support. Some of them used it, and we helped them obtain certificates (the Police did not have a notice that they can issue certificates, too) as well as steady communication with regional Employment Agencies, some employers as well as with the Centre for Social Work Trebinje before the closing date of the Public Call.
-”Lara” Bijeljina:
Within this activity, numerous meetings were held with women victims of domestic violence, potential beneficiaries of the Program. In accordance with that, a list of women was formed containing all required characteristics who meet conditions from the Public Call and who were interested in the Program, according to the records from the Centres for Social Work Bijeljina, legal counseling of the Foundation „Lara“ and the Safe House.

Therefore, the possibility for economic empowerment through this program was created for women victims of domestic violence in the Republic of Srpska.
Round-table meetings with trade unions on 31st October 2018 held in Banjaluka
At the round-table meetings there were representatives of trade unions of the RS, 8 of them, mainly supporting our activities although some of them regarded that there were other vulnerable groups which were not included in the program, and that the call should include other vulnerable categories, as well.

A.3. Social media and development of online platform
In accordance with the planned project activities, we have developed an online platform on our website and the Public call of the Employment Agency RS for (self)employment of women victims of domestic violence was posted on it. The link was shared with the partner organization “Lara” Bijeljina. During 2018, there were overall 4,828 different visitors on the website with overall 17,330 views. Moreover, the link was connected with our and the partner’s face book page. We shared all information regarding the conducted activities of our organization in terms of this issue on the web page.
On 20th April 2018 we held a press conference in Trebinje when we spread information about the Public call of the Employment Agency attracting great attention. Furthermore, we gave interviews to various media (RTRS; Herceg TV and Elta TV) concerning this matter. The information was taken over by numerous local portals while the Republic of Srpska Radio station entirely covered and broadcast a 45 minute program from our round-table meeting in Banjaluka

Through the conducted activities, in accordance with the planned timeframe, all outputs planned by the project were achieved:
1. Women victims of domestic violence have a quality chain of support by organizations and institutions in Eastern Herzegovina. This support includes: urgency in addressing, psycho-social support, legal aid and free of charge representation in court (we have developed cooperation with the Center for free legal aid), material help (food, clothes, hygiene, course books and stationery), financial support, help with (self) employment, involvement and connection of all necessary activists, person of “trust”, coordination and synchronization of activities with the aim of providing support, using resources of the Protocol signers (e.g. free preschool education for children victims of domestic violence) and so on.
2. Women victims of domestic violence have a possibility for (self) employment in the RS – Program of the RS Government for (self) employment of women victims of domestic violence. In 2018 overall 10 women victims of domestic violence achieved (self) employment, with 4 of them through self-employment and 6 of them were employed in the companies.
3. Women victims of domestic violence have an easy access to information concerning ongoing programs of economic support in 2018 aimed at their category – online platform, social media of the both partner organizations, media programs and articles.

BUILDING CAPACITY V

1st project year
Supported by the OAK Foundation and Lushi

Project objective 1. Is to contribute to improved quality of life of women and children in the Republic of Srpska with a focus on an extremely undeveloped region – Eastern Herzegovina.
-Work with female politicians

During the reporting period, “Zenski centar” Trebinje organized for female politicians, of all political parties in 13 municipalities of the RS constituency 9, a whole day interactive workshop with the topics: “Public appearance” and “Advocacy and development of own campaigns” (overall 131 of them). The target groups were women politicians potential candidates for General elections for 2018. In the reporting period we also distributed 6,000 leaflets-propaganda campaign materials which were promoted by women politicians explaining why to vote precisely for women.

Women, aged from 18 to 65, members of political parties, of different education and of different “party membership”, from those who just joined to those with 25 years of party engagement participated at the workshops. Moreover, women who are at the list for General elections also participated at the workshops, in municipalities/cities whose lists contain women.
The majority of workshops participants declared that so far they had never taken part in the workshops with the above mentioned topics. Only 10% of participants had one or more educations related to public appearance which were conducted on the initiative of parties or by NGOs. All participants expressed satisfaction for recognized need to support women to actively take part in the political life. The most of them said that that did not have the same possibility to be involved in politics primarily due to larger scope (in relation to men) of family obligations, but also due to community’s attitude to women politicians- it is still regarded that politics is “a job for men”. All of them emphasized that they find it hard to have an equal relationship with men in their parties.
From the very beginning, at all workshops, since the participants’ introduction, good groups dynamics was expressed. They all pointed out that these workshops which have educational and psychological character, empower them. Apart from practical advice, in order to have successful public appearance, advocacy and development of own campaigns, it is of great importance to share experiences in the groups as well as awareness/self-knowledge of personal strengths and weaknesses.

-A five-day education for the Center for Social Work for Eastern Herzegovina
Handbook
Education for officers of the Center for Social Work from Eastern Herzegovina, on the topic of domestic violence, work and accommodation of victims in a safe house was held from 5 June 2018 to 9 June 2018, with 20 participants.

Organized by Foundation „Zenski centar“ from Trebinje, the representatives of the Centers for Social Work from Eastern Herzegovina and the representatives of the „Zenski centar“ Trebinje gathered on 5 June 2018 in Neum. The representatives from Trebinje, Gacko, Bileca and Nevesinje attended the education whereas the representatives from Ljubinje and Berkovici were absent for justifiable reasons.
The aim of the education was to introduce the representatives of the Centers for Social Work on following topics:
– domestic violence from a point of a victim of domestic violence and an interview with a victim (Ljiljana Cickovic, Foundation “Zenski centar“ from Trebinje)
-rules and procedures in safe houses (Milka Stevic, Foundation “Lara“ from Bijeljina)
-importance of duration of stay in a safe house for victims of domestic violence (Ljiljana Cickovic, Foundation „Zenski centar“ from Trebinje).

Handbook in the preparation “Handbook for understanding domestic violence”

-Two five-day educations for the 20 same police officers from the entire Eastern Herzegovina
In 2018, the “Zenski centar“ held two five-day educations on the topics: „Training for trainers“ and „Rules and procedures in treating a victim of domestic violence and keeping records of domestic violence“ for 20 police officers from the Police Administration Trebinje. During the first part of education the police officers were trained how to efficiently transfer knowledge acquired at seminars and from their previous experience regarding domestic violence to their colleagues who did not attend educations of the “Zenski centar“. In the second part, the police officers received the training about rules and procedures in treating a victim of domestic violence and keeping records of this criminal offence. This part of education is of extreme importance for police officers in order to as efficiently as possible keep record of this criminal offence and to forward the report to a prosecutor to easily prosecute an offender.

-Meetings of the multidisciplinary team for prevention of domestic violence
During the reporting period we organized 36 meetings of the multidisciplinary team for prevention of domestic violence in six municipalities of Eastern Herzegovina (see the project “Together for a life without violence”)

-Providing direct services to victims of domestic violence: legal aid, psycho-social counseling
During 2018, in their records, the “Zenski centar” had 142 interventions. They were mostly short-term interventions, for example after an act of violence when a woman wants to share her problem with someone and to relieve in that way, but is not willing to proceed with it, neither to the Police nor to the Center for Social Work, nor to any other institution. Apart from these short-term interventions, services provided by the “Zenski centar” in 2018 referred mostly to psycho-social treatments for women and children victims of domestic violence, and to providing legal advice and aid in writing necessary legal documents which were required in a certain situation. Moreover, in 2018 we had groups of self-help consisting of 10 women who would meet twice a month. At those meetings they expressed their problems for a period of living in a violent community, and offered support to each others. Besides standard services provided by the “Zenski centar” Trebinje, in 2018 we initiated a project “persons of trust”. A person of trust provided psychological and legal aid to victims of domestic violence during the process of giving statement to the Police and the Centers for Social Work. Since the beginning of the project, a person of trust, mediated by police with whom we have an excellent cooperation, has been contacted by six victims of domestic violence.
-Finalization of establishment of organic plantation of figs
During the reporting period, the plantation was extended by two additional ha of land and we cleaned bushes and high plants. Moreover, we purchased the entire fence for nine ha of land, as well as irrigation system (see the project “Building water-intake structure and drip irrigation system “drop by drop” for plantation of organic figs in Trebinje”).

-Advocacy campaign for amendment of the Family Act of the RS
In the report period we conducted an advocacy campaign for amendment of the Family Act of the RS in the part to permanently ban a parental right for parents who had sexually abused their children (see the project “Campaign for amendment of the Family Act of the RS”).
-Monitoring of the practices of courts and police in the RS
In the report period we were partners to the foundation “Lara” from Bijeljina with which we conducted monitoring of the practices of police officers of the RS regarding domestic violence and keeping records of criminal offences of domestic violence (see the project “Strengthening institutional support to end gender-based violence”)
Achieved results:
– by 10% increased number of women in Constituency 9 who are interested to be involved in politics
-131 women, potential candidates for list of constituency 9 acquired basic knowledge and skills for public appearance and conduct of the personal campaign
-On General elections for 2018 one woman entered the National Assembly of the RS from constituency 9 when compared to 2014 when not a single woman managed to take any position on both levels the entity of the RS and on the state level of the B&H
– 20 police officers and 20 officers of the centers for social work from Eastern Herzegovina were trained to work with women victims of domestic violence, from the women’s point of view.
-Insight into practices of police and lobbying of the same to amend its practices in favour of victims of domestic violence in the RS.
– Empowerment of inter-sector approach in providing adequate, sensitive and specialized protection of women victims of domestic violence in Eastern Herzegovina.
-Question if parents who sexually abuse their children can regain their parental rights in the RS is set in the focus of professional and public opinion.

Project objective2 is to empower organization/foundation “Zenski centar” from Trebinje for strategic planning, as well as to build capacities (technical, human and self-financing) of the organization.
-Finalization of establishment of organic plantation of figs
During 2018 we conducted works regarding water-intake structure and drip irrigation system “drop by drop”, we purchased the fence, worked on maintenance of plantation and extended it by 2 ha of land.

At the end of the first project year, we engaged an external evaluation and auditing agency to write the report.

supported by Embassy of the Czech Republic in Bosnia and Herzegovina

During the report period, certain changes came out, i.e. the project itself has been improved. Namely, we signed a contract with the city of Trebinje to take a leasehold on additional 1.9 ha of land for the period of 20 years. Thus enabling to plant 2,060 seedlings instead of 1,650 planned and bought biannual seedlings of figs on the plantation land of 8.9 ha (at the moment of project writing there were 7 ha). Moreover enabling the optimal conditions to grow plants where the fruit trees will be 6 x 6 instead of 6 x 5. This is particularly important in organic growth because it decreases hazard of disease spread from one plant to the other. Supported by the German organisation Help and the city of Trebinje we initiated the process of certification into organic land and the land is in the second year of conversion into organic one (namely, the process of conversion lasts for three years when the status of organic is obtained). During the report period we obtained the financial support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Srpska to partially build a fence around the plantation (overall there are two encompassed plots of land and the funds are sufficient for fencing of one, bigger plantation). Installing the fence in November/December 2018 the location will be protected. The funds for water intake and drip irrigation system “drop by drop” for this location are secured by this project. We have managed to obtain funds necessary for co-financing of the water intake structure i.e. a solid object – house for command centre. Realising the project we have managed to achieve the key condition for planned results since without water-intake structure and drip irrigation system, this business undertaking would be unsuccessful. The business undertaking provoked huge media attention and a TV show about it was recorded on RTRS. It is well know that due to climatic changes on the territory of Trebinje we are exposed to dry periods (temperatures reaching over 45 degrees Celsius) and if the figs seedlings do not get needed water in that period, it leads to decreased yield of the fruit, underdeveloped seedlings, i.e. figs, and sometimes even to its drying. When the plantation growth is taken into account, then it is clear that decreased yield causes serious financial damage, i.e. decreased yield. The business undertaking has four dimensions (results):
– It enables economic empowerment of one of the most vulnerable categories of women – women victims of domestic violence, i.e. it promotes social entrepreneurship;
– It has a wider social dimension (it is of developmental character) since it promotes combining smaller properties, i.e. farmers into cooperatives. This particularly refers to women since in that way they have higher chances to find the market for their small/scattered quantities of goods and services;
– Retrieval of the traditional technical approach to drying and procession of figs as an innovative approach to growth of autochthonous types of figs;
– Installment of the largest plantation and organic field of figs in the region (Montenegro, Croatia, Albania, Macedonia) and the first one in B&H.
All above mentioned in the long term will be a condition and incentive for creation of new (old and new) goods on the market securing economic empowerment of women victims of domestic violence.

CAMPAIGN FOR AMENDMENT OF THE FAMILY ACT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA

Supported by Trag Foundation

During the project period our organization did not manage to realize the project objective albeit it conducted all project planned activities. We managed to impose it to the professional public and to attract attention and support of the citizens, albeit we did not realize amendment of the legislative frame, i.e. the Family Act of the RS in the amendment part Article 106, section (4) with a part of a sentence “apart from the cases of children’s sex abuse”. However, what we managed to achieve is a proposal of minister of the Ministry of Justice of the RS, i.e. if we find a case when a parental right was banned due to sexual abuse of a child and then a child was returned to his/her parent on the territory of the RS – he would automatically initiate an amendment of the Family Act of the RS on the basis of our proposal. Otherwise, it is not their priority. Taking into account that this Act was adopted in 1994, our organization would, if we get your support, start an analysis which would encompass the previous 25 years, i.e. the period from 1994 to 2018, searching for such a case on the territory of the RS. The court decisions are kept for 30 years, what would enable thoroughness in work. During realization of the project, we found out that one of the key segments of protection of these children (victims of sex abuse by their parents) lies in the centers for social work which would have to start extra-judicial procedure of denying parental right, what they do not perform in practice. Thus, for period from 2014 to 2016 they had not started not even single proceedings even though they had such cases. According to information available to us, although not complete, there were 10 reports, and the Ministry of Inferior processed 10 of them. Therefore we presume that, if we get your support to continue the project, we should encompass an analysis of centers for social work regarding this matter. Thus, we could initiate a campaign which would indicate to the problem and it would force centers for social work to perform legally formed responsibility, in the best interest of a sexually abused child.
During the project year (12 months), our organization conducted all planned activities, in accordance with small corrections of the project planned timeframe, on the basis of our assessment from the field, i.e. optimal situation for realization of activities which include:
A.1. Surveying citizens of the RS by method of a random sample where we surveyed the public opinion on this matter in five cities (Trebinje, Banjaluka, Bijeljina, Istocno Sarajevo and Doboj). During surveying, we tried to encompass approximately the same number of men and women as well as different age groups (analysis is enclosed). Survey analysis showed that 99% of citizens support our attitude, i.e. proposal.

A.2. Lobbying was aimed at representative of the National Assembly of the RS and respective ministries (The Ministry of Justice of the RS, the Ministry of Inferior of the RS, the Ministry of Family, Youth and Sport of the RS), and it included individual meeting “face to face”, as well as group meetings (the round-table meetings held in Banjaluka on 27 April 2018 and on 31 October 2018). The individual meetings were held in continuity with different male and female ministers (overall 16 individual meetings were held). In accordance with the planned, the participants of the round-table meeting were representatives of the professional public and the media which gave us their full support.

A.3. The media campaign was targeted at the public, whereas we also exerted pressure on the decision makers. We held a press conference on 21 September 2018 with these media houses covering the event: HercegTV, Radio Trebinje and portal Trebinje069 when we presented the project. After that we participated in the 45 minute TV programme (“U fokusu” – (“In the focus”)) on the national TV station (RTRS). We brought the relevant interlocutors (NGO, police, representatives of the Ministry of Inferior). We announced the results of the conducted survey of the citizens. After the round-table meeting in Banjaluka, the media house ELTA HD which prepared a TV programme, interviewed the Ministry of Justice of the RS which apologized for not participating at the round-table meeting, but his authorised assistant, Mr Slobodan Zec, gave a statement on our proposal what contributed to “opening doors” of this Ministry.

A.4. Monitoring and analysis of the achieved results were performed every fifteen days of the project year, through regular meetings of the project team of “Zenski centar” (Ljiljana Cickovic, psychologist Branka Pejovic, lawyer Slavko Sanjevic and Dordje Kovacevic) every second Monday in order to follow progress, but also to recognize who are and to what extent our helpers, who are the neutral and the opposition (the map of power). At these meetings we defined a way in which we would forward the Amendment, and that is to the Ministry of Justice of the RS.
Even though we have not achieved the expected result, the effect of this project is certain since we managed to raise this question and indicate to both the public and the Ministry of Justice of the RS, not conducting legal responsibility of initiating extra-judicial procedure of denying a parental right to parents who sexually abuse their children and what is in authority of centers for social work with the aim of protecting children victims. We have practically raised this question and attracted huge attention of the media and the professional public what is justified by numerous media programmes and by expressed support of the professional public for solving this question and for supporting our initiative.

STRENTHENING INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT TO END GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

Supported by Kvinna till Kvinna, as partner Foundation “Lara“ from Bijeljina

The project “Strengthening institutional support to end gender-based violence (GBV) is a three-year action whose objective is Improved police and prosecutor’s response, including new standards created, to protection of women against violence. The key target groups in the project are police officers, prosecutors’ representatives, decision-makers in the field of laws and policies for protecting women from violence at the entity level, and representatives of CSOs active in protecting women from violence. The overall project action aims to contribute to better criminal justice protection for survivors of GVB and setting zero tolerance for violence against women. The project is a continuation of the activities of project holders, Foundation “Lara” Bijeljina and Foundation “Zenski centar” Trebinje from 2016/17 on monitoring the police response to GBV and strengthening institutional support for victims. It is based on results, mapped problems, established cooperation and built capacities at that stage of project implementation.
The project action involves the implementation of three types of activities: 1. Monitoring and analysis of the police conduct (indirectly the prosecution as well) with the focus on three targeted areas: established practices of criminal investigation, keeping records and assessments of the safety of victims and initiation and implementation of protective measures; 2. publishing the report; creating unique standards of treatment and advocacy for new regulations and policies; and 3. Dialogue and cooperation with police and prosecution structures with purpose to develop new work practices (informing victims, support to victims during investigations, education).
Project activities last for three years and are implemented in both entities, and the targeted regions are Bijeljina, Trebinje and Zvornik in Republic of Srpska, Una-Sana Canton, Posavka County and Herzegovina-Neretva Canton in Federation of BiH. In addition to “Lara” and “Women’s Center”, in the project are included women’s CSOs from targeted regions: “Zena BiH” from Mostar, “Zene sa Une” from Bihac and “Vive Zene” from Tuzla. The key tool in the implementation of project activities, apart from domestic laws in the field of criminal justice, are the standards of the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention and Suppression of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, which is a binding international document in BiH.