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Gender-based violence as a social problem | Balkan Diskurs
Redžo Efendić
November 25th, 2021
Gender-based violence is one problem that is not appropriately litigated in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Given the pervasive patriarchal system in Bosnian society, this problem is not only a victim’s problem, as it is often perceived but also a social problem.
According to the UN Women Handbook on Reporting Gender-Based Violence, violence against women is perhaps “the most shameful and widespread form of human rights violations…it does not recognize the geographical and cultural borders, nor the borders of economic prosperity.”
“Every type of physical, psychological, and economic violence against girls and women is gender-based violence. This type of violence is not always visible in bruises, wounds, or other physical injuries. Still, humiliations, insults, ridicule, and belittling are also indicators of violence, even if it happened only once, and especially if it happens within families by people who supposedly “love” the people they are abusing,” points out Zejna Šanjević Kussmaul, president of the Association of Women Universe Mostar.
According to Šanjević Kussmaul, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) does not do enough to implement agreements to which it is a signatory, such as the Istanbul Convention, and the failure to adopt adequate sanctions for non-compliance is essentially the biggest problem.
“Gender-based violence in practice in Bosnia and Herzegovina means that a man is violent towards a woman – only because he is in a position to be able to. This means that one man, due to his biological characteristics, feels superiority and the right to manage someone else’s physical integrity, as well as the right to make life and death decisions,” says psychologist and activist Hana Sokolović, who explains that it is particularly important to talk about this problem since many women are suffering from domestic violence at the time of reading this text. Because of all this, she points out, support for them must be unquestionable.
“Gender-based violence is any form of oppression and harassment of a girl or woman. It may be recognizable if the partner expresses aggression, jealousy or if his partner’s success or beauty holds him back. All of these can be indicators of violence. However, sometimes it appears after three or four years of marriage. I want to emphasize that the issue of marital rape has been neglected in this discussion and that it too is a type of gender-based violence,” explains Ružica Ljubičić, a journalist who deals with gender equality in the media.
The OSCE Mission to BiH defines gender-based violence as an obstacle to security for all citizens in BiH. Their survey for BiH, published in June 2019, shows that 38% of women have experienced some form of violence as early as the age of fifteen. The research also states that the most common forms of violence are psychological violence by an intimate partner (36%) and sexual harassment (28%).
“The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed who is the bully in our society, but it has also encouraged women to report violence. After the “Nisam tražila” [“I didn’t ask for it”] movement, there is more and more talk about the violence experienced, and that’s good. We became aware of all the men in positions of power and dominance in various segments of society,” said Ljubičić, who is currently working on her doctoral dissertation titled “Sensationalist review of gender-based violence in the Bosnian press.”
Due to the current coronavirus pandemic, most women are forced to be locked in their homes with an abuser. “The situation with the pandemic has shown the seriousness and scope of this problem. Again, the state has done nothing, or at least not enough, to help victims of gender-based violence. Many situations have ended in serious trauma with far-reaching consequences,” says Šanjević Kussmaul.
“The pandemic has caused us to adopt new behavior patterns, social and health norms, which has locked some women into everyday violence where they have lost the only possible way out – some physically, others by losing their jobs, others by losing family members who could provide help,” emphasizes Sokolović.
BiH is a signatory to several international conventions and agreements, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, proving that gender-based violence is discriminatory and punishable. Also, a perpetrator who violates a protective measure may be fined from 2,000 to 10,000 KM in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 300 to 500 KM in Republika Srpska.
The Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) was adopted in May 2011. According to this Convention, there are several types of gender-based violence, including psychological violence, persecution, sexual violence, sexual harassment, cyber violence, and economic violence.
“The Istanbul Convention contains protection mechanisms that can help women, but they are not properly implemented. For example, I can cite the delay in the financing of safe houses in BiH. The biggest problem is the perception and stereotypes about the Istanbul Convention, like that it spreads LBGT ideology. Many high-ranking officials did not read or understand the contents of this document. The Istanbul Convention can protect women from many dangers, such as entering into child marriage,” says Ljubičić.
On the other hand, laws on protection from domestic violence in both the Federation and Republika Srpska prescribe the following protective measures: removal from an apartment, house, or other living space, a ban on returning to an apartment, house, or other living space, a ban on approaching a victim of violence, a ban on harassing or stalking a person exposed to violence, compulsory psychosocial treatment, compulsory addiction treatment, temporary deprivation of liberty, and detention. According to the law, institutions or organizations that are involved in the implementation of these protection measures include the police, the Center for Social Work, the municipal court, health care institutions, and non-governmental organizations.
“Extremely inefficient systems of protection for women who report abusers, social stigma and lack of economic independence are some of the variables that we need to take into account when talking about the significant presence of gender-based violence in our society,” said Sokolović.
There are many myths and disinformation about gender-based violence. One of them is that women provoke violence by their behavior or clothing, and in that case, a man is not guilty because she “gave him a reason for it.” Due to numerous stereotypes and prejudices, victims rarely choose to report gender-based violence. Years often pass before the victims start talking.
“First of all, we cannot expect a woman who is experiencing violence to speak out or report violence immediately. Questions like, ‘Why has she been silent so far?’ show a lack of empathy and understanding of the problem. It is extremely difficult. The most important thing is not to blame a woman for what is happening. Instead, it would be good to contact the police, a psychologist, and the Center for Social Welfare. If violence is already happening, one of the potential solutions is to stay in safe houses, run away, divorce, or leave your partner,” advises Ljubičić.
She adds that preventive solutions include increasing education and awareness of what gender-based violence is. Some women think that their agony is normal, so they suffer in silence. She also recommends all women and girls take a self-defense course and use SOS helplines available 24/7.
Most victims of gender-based violence never report the perpetrator because they think they may lose their children, they fear condemnation from their community, or because of their economic dependence on men. “Violence cannot be justified by anything, nor does anyone have the right to be violent for any reason. Special education about these topics should already be present in primary schools. If this issue is not addressed systematically, I am afraid we will continue to witness many kinds of violence. Violence must be reported, and the perpetrators must be adequately punished,” says Šanjević Kussmaul.
Considering the OSCE Mission’s survey, only 5% of women reported violence by their partners, and only 3% reported exposure to sexual harassment. A 2018 OSCE survey on the well-being and safety of women found that one in seven women experienced physical or sexual violence from the age of fifteen by a partner or non-partner, and slapping was identified as the most common form of physical violence. However, 13% of those who survived physical violence indicated that the most serious form of violence by an ex-partner involved forced sexual intercourse, which is very worrying.
“Normalization of the idea that a man can control a woman’s life has, for the most part, been left in the past. Although we are talking louder than ever before about violence against women, this does not mean that it is not still happening, nor that some women deserve more protection than others. Every woman, regardless of her educational or socioeconomic status, ethnic, religious or any other identity, has the right to full protection from violence,” Sokolović concluded.
You can report domestic violence using the following numbers: 1265 (Federation of BiH) & 1264 (Republika Srpska).

created: November 25th, 2021

author: Redžo Efendić


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Everyday Danger Lurks: Mines and Unexploded Ordinances in Bosnia and Herzegovina | Balkan Diskurs
Vedad Borovac
December 2nd, 2021
Since the end of the war, mines in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) have been a major problem. According to the latest available data, despite numerous actions warning of unexploded ordnance (UXO), hundreds of people have been killed in mine accidents in BiH.
The demining process has been going on since 1996, but the problem has not been fully resolved. Mustafa Kadribegović, assistant director of the head of the sector for the organization of demining and destruction of UXO, told Balkan Diskurs that after the war, mines posed a great danger in cities like Mostar and Sarajevo and that despite some progress, there is still a ways to go.
According to him, from 1998 to 2020, about three-quarters of the suspicious area was demined. He claims that there are many more mines in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) than in the Republika Srpska (RS), and the new deadline for completing the demining process in BiH is March 2027.
According to the Law on Demining in BiH, Kadribegović states, the maintenance and management of the central database on minefields is the responsibility of the Mine Action Center in BiH (BH MAC).
“According to BH MAC data, at the beginning of 2021, the suspected mine area in Bosnia and Herzegovina was 957.14 square kilometers or 1.96% of the territory of BiH. Of those 957 square kilometers, 751.40 are in the Federation, 192.51 are in Republika Srpska, and about 13 are in Brčko. From these data, it is clear that most of the suspected mine areas are located in the Federation – about 80% of the total suspected mine area in BiH. The total size of the suspected dangerous area for cluster munitions in BiH, as of the 31 of December, 2020 was 2.05 square kilometers.”
Data for 2021 will be shared after the end of the demining season.
Speaking about the situation in the country, Kadribegović recalls that a few years after the war in BiH, many urban parts of Sarajevo, Mostar, Gornji Vakuf-Uskoplje, Bihać, and other cities in BiH were mined and represented a danger to citizens.
“Unfortunately, many citizens were killed by mines after the war. It should be noted that mine damage still occurs today, only to a much lesser extent than in the post-war period. According to the first estimate from 1998, the suspected dangerous area for mines in BiH was about 4000.2 km2 or 8.2% of the total area of BiH. From 1998 to 2020, 3043 km² of the suspicious area was demined,” he explains.
They also plan to revise the existing Mine Action Strategy by 2023. He points out that after the end of the war in BiH, 619 people died, and 802 people were injured from UXO, which demonstrates that UXOs still pose a serious threat to the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“The Federal Administration of Civil Protection receives between 5 and 10 reports of UXO sightings outside minefields daily. The Federal Civil Protection Administration teams are territorially distributed in the FBiH so that all cantons are covered by their work for the removal and destruction of explosives in an efficient manner. Mine clearance is a significantly different process and is done according to the annual demining work plan and the list of priorities proposed by BH MAC, and adopted by the entity governments and the Brčko District Government, i.e., the BiH Council of Ministers for BiH,” said Kadribegović.
According to him, about 60% of the remaining mine risk area in BiH is in forested areas, and the citizens have access to the application “BH Mine Suspected Areas,” which contains the locations suspected of mines. According to Kadribegović, this application is useful for anyone who moves near areas with potential mine danger to see their position relative to dangerous regions of BiH.
“The problem of unexploded ordinance is much bigger in BiH due to the nature of war activities from 1992 to 1995 – UXO is found every day in locations that were outside of hot conflict zones. It is important to know that unexploded ordnance left over from World War II is also often present and unexploded. We are trying to develop an awareness of the danger of mines and UXO starting from primary schools in BiH to some particularly risky categories such as forestry workers, mountaineers, hunters, fishermen, and the like,” he concludes.
The application “BH Mine Suspected Areas” can be downloaded on Google Play or the BH MAC website (www.bhmac.org).

source: news-balkandiskurs

created: December 2nd, 2021

license: Creative Commons - Attribution - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

author: Vedad Borovac


text:
The Love Tales | Balkan Diskurs
Balkan Diskurs
December 2nd, 2021
The “Love Tales” project allowed our correspondents to tell ordinary people’s stories through research and fieldwork. Despite the obstacles society has unfairly placed before these interethnic couples, they have prevailed in telling their stories.
“As a child from a mixed marriage and an eternal dreamer, I know that working on this project and the tales people tell will stick with me forever.”
For the past year, Balkan Diskurs youth correspondents have been working on a series of stories called “Love Tales.”
Six of our trained correspondents have worked on an artistic initiative to document stories of successful interethnic romantic relationships in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), challenging the narrative that such relationships are untenable in the current social environment. The project was implemented by the Post-conflict Research Center (PCRC), with the support of the VII Academy and the Bold Program of the US Embassy in BiH.
BOLD program of the VII Academy
In February 2020, VII Academy started an intensive training program for young leaders from all over BiH. The result of that four-month program was five small grants realized in 2020 and 2021.
In addition to the “Love Tales” project, other projects included “Girl Talk”, “Tactile Mural”, “Good News” and “Stories about home and migration”. More about the projects is available here.
During the training, participants had the opportunity to learn the basics of visual storytelling, get acquainted with ethical principles in independent reporting, developing their writing skills, understand how to report accurately and impartially, and build their media entrepreneurship skills.
“By participating in the training, young leaders were able to transfer the experiences they gained to their communities. They also designed their own civic engagement programs, and, most importantly, they created a new approach to stories. They respected the dignity and integrity of individuals with different views, and focused on engaging with and reflecting on different perspectives in our society, said Hasnija Zulić, the manager of VII Academy.
VII Academy is especially proud that all selected BOLD projects were led by women, who managed to hold their planned activities despite the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Every successful and stable society has women in leadership positions, but Bosnia still has very few. We believe that women who led BOLD projects will continue to play an important role in the future, along with their male colleagues,” said Hasnija.
One of the BOLD program VII Academy mentors, Dr. Paul Lowe, highlights the need to create better conditions for young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina to make a positive contribution to the country. Finding creative and exciting jobs for young people can help reverse “brain drain,” or the exodus of young talent from BiH, often caused by a lack of opportunities.
“The BOLD project has clearly shown that there is incredible energy, vision, and skills that young people from all over the country have and that with the right incentives and support, they can achieve incredible results. It was a great pleasure and privilege to see this group of people turn into real leaders of the future,” said Lowe.
Love Tales Combating Stereotypes
In addition to being a coach and mentor on the BOLD program, Dr. Lowe was a photography editor on the Love Tales project. He emphasizes that the topics covered through the awarded BOLD projects are extremely important for our society.
“The BOLD projects supported by this program deal with topics important to Bosnia and Herzegovina today. They have been approached with intelligence, integrity, and passion. I am especially proud that all these BOLD projects were led by women, who showed real leadership, organization, and creativity,” he said.
The “Love Tales” project allowed our correspondents to tell ordinary people’s stories through research and fieldwork. Despite the obstacles society has unfairly placed before these interethnic couples, they have prevailed in telling their stories.
“This was a unique opportunity to break down the prejudices and stereotypes people in BiH have about interethnic romantic relationships. Also, I believe that this is a way to tell the love tales of ordinary people. Through these stories, we can show young people in BiH a different reality and that it is possible to build relationships and friendships with other people regardless of their national or religious affiliations,” said Azra Berbić, correspondent from Kakanj and coordinator of the “Love Tales” project.
In 2018, the Prime Communication Agency published a survey of BiH citizens’ perspectives on mixed marriages. According to that survey, 38.7 percent of citizens oppose this type of marital union. According to the data of the entity statistical institutes of the Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH, more than 18,000 marriages were performed in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2019. Of those, only about 600 are interethnic marriages.
“The social perception of nationally mixed marriages has changed significantly, and there are few who decide to start such a relationship. The fear of condemnation from one’s family, neighborhood, or society, and the difficult legacy of war legacy, including transgenerational trauma, often affect the choice of a life partner,” says.
Implementing this project during the COVID-19 pandemic presented a slew of new barriers and proved to the team how important it was to work together. Since our correspondents come from different cities in BiH, and most of the interviews and photographs were done in people’s homes, the whole project was hard to navigate.
“The pandemic was challenging for us because we had to talk to couples in their homes. Although most of our activities had switched to the online sphere, we wanted to do in-person interviews to get a feel of the love tales first-hand. The most valuable part of the experience was meeting the different couples and hearing from them personally. Teamwork was also extremely important, and our and mutual motivation helped carry us through,” says Mirnes Bakija, a correspondent from Sarajevo.
“Teamwork was one of the most valuable parts of the project. All of the participants gave their best; it is always nice to be part of such a well-harmonized team and learn from one another,” adds Armin Halilović, a correspondent from Zavidovići.
They used the challenges of working on Love Tales for professional and personal development
In addition to storytelling, this experience was particularly valuable for the team’s personal and professional development.
“We shared the work as a team, and with the mentorship and support of our project manager, we were able to overcome the challenges we encountered. Pre-determined deadlines proved useful for us. Working on the project, I realized again how productive a good team is, and that mining [the search for people to interview] always pays off in the end”, says Anja Zulić, a correspondent from Banja Luka.
From the beginning of the project, the whole team enjoyed working with couples from all over BiH. After each interview, they felt a great deal of positive energy, which provided additional motivation to continue their work.
“Finding couples who are willing to put themselves in a vulnerable position and tell their life story is not easy, but that is why our project is very personal. With “Love Tales,” we wanted to emphasize societal attitudes towards multiethnic couples, which are often politicized through ethnocentrism and nationalism, and also called “mixed” marriages or relationships,” says Kristina Gadže, a correspondent from Ljubuški.
For Mitar Simikić from Ugljevik, the main photographer on the project, his special challenge was to portray all the couples from the project in one series while still preserving the uniqueness of each story.
“Having such a short timeframe for the project was a real challenge because I tried not to miss a single moment from behind the camera. I can’t single out one story as the most memorable because each one was valuable for me and my development as a photographer. These pieces came together like a jigsaw puzzle; they also formed me, and through this experience, I have definitely become a better photographer,” said Mitar.
Love Tales Win
“I think that this project has helped us develop personally, but also professionally. I can definitely say that this was one of the most beautiful professional experiences I’ve ever had,” says Mirnes.
The entire team was inspired by the stories of the couples they spoke to. These experiences, they say, have shaped them in special ways.
“People who spent a few hours with us sharing their love stories brought me back to a more colorful reality that may have been lost in the grayness of everyday life. For months, we have been hearing about how people threaten one another due to the pandemic (which has happened countless times in our history for other reasons). Through this project, I have found that spark and light in life again – through this love, which our interlocutors so selflessly shared with us,” says Anja.
“I proved to myself once again that a man cannot and should not be alone. These tales that we followed proved that. These couples taught me about selflessness, sharing, and sacrifice. It was a great experience– in some moments emotional, and others, proud,” concludes Mitar.
Read The Love Tales at https://balkandiskurs.com/en/projects/the-love-tales/.

author: Balkan Diskurs


text:
A Helping Hand For A Paw In Need | Balkan Diskurs
Sajma Kapić
December 3rd, 2021
“Life with a pet is beautiful. Whatever situation you’re in, it is always easier with a cuddle. It warms your heart and makes everything more beautiful.”
This is how Vanesa describes life with a pet. Almost a year ago, she decided to adopt a cat. Not only did she save a cat’s life, but she also brought a new dose of joy into her home.
Vanesa says she is a big fan of all animals, but she decided to adopt a cat since she had already had one previously, which unfortunately died.
Cats, however, require special care and attention
For a first-time cat owner, all the necessary care may seem complicated, but the only truly important things are being well-informed, giving the cat a lot of love, and, of course, having patience.
“The whole house is hers. I choose the highest quality products for her as well.”
Separating pet and owner can be difficult for both, so it is important to prepare well in advance, so parting later is less difficult.
“In the beginning, it was difficult for me to leave her alone when I had errands to run. Today it is easier, but I have to adjust my schedule to make sure that she is not at home alone for too long so that she does not feel lonely. And, of course, I have to make sure she is full,” Vanessa says.
Cat as an equal member of the family
As Vanesa says, a pet may not solve your problems, but it will certainly help you to go through a difficult period in your life more easily. This phenomenon has been confirmed by research conducted at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).
According to this research, simply cuddling with a pet can lead to greater levels of relaxation. People who interact with pets, and animals in general, secrete higher levels of serotonin, prolactin, and oxytocin, which are hormones that modulate mood and help maintain higher spirits.
The research demonstrated improved heart and lung function in a patient with heart failure after playing with a dog for 12 minutes. The patient’s blood pressure went down, and the level of harmful stress hormones was reduced.
Therefore, in addition to the mental benefits of owning pets, there are also the physical benefits.
Dog owners also typically improve their fitness through regular walks, which also convey holistic health benefits.
Animals are truly a blessing, and we care for them with love and respect. One good deed leads to another, so if you can open your home to an abandoned animal, you should take it and see what joy it can bring.

created: December 3rd, 2021

author: Sajma Kapić


text:
Women in Small Businesses: A Nightgown Brand Silhouetting Women’s Strength | Balkan Diskurs
Kristina Gadže
December 7th, 2021
“Pure love” – this is how Ajla Aljić from Ilijaš describes her brand nightgown brand “DoolZee,” which she created for all women who have an eye for a quality piece of clothing. After high school, she began studying comparative and world literature in the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Sarajevo, but her desire to start a family prevailed, and she decided to drop out of college. Although she is now a divorced and single mother of two girls, this has not stopped her from pursuing a creative career and achieving her dreams through starting a private business.
“Life is unpredictable, you never know what it will bring you. Sometimes you find yourself stuck at the crossroads wondering what your next step will be. The world we live in is very fast and requires a lot of focus. At one moment, I slowed down and had a talk with myself, and made a decision which will ensure a good future for myself and my children, as well as their childhood,” said Ajla.
The name DoolZee comes from the book “Dance Shoes,” which Ajla read as a little girl. Although her wish was to become a ballerina, that was not possible for several reasons.
“That book mirrored a lot my life, I even started calling myself DoolZee, and a lot of people from primary and secondary school called me that. It was my artistic identity. The character in the book dreams big, but it takes a lot to make them reality. As good as we are at something, we need luck. DoolZee has a big heart, but she is surrounded by wolves that make things difficult for her. In the end, though, she gets what she wanted,” says Ajla.
One scene from the book is especially important to her.
“There is one sentence I will never forget – when DoolZee looks in the mirror, and she sees that she is not what she used to be. She says she wants to go back to how it used to be. And when she picks up her heart that is now black, she comes back stronger than ever. She starts believing in herself again and then she can finally achieve what she wanted,” explains Ajla.
Art as the Starting Point of Creation
She says that from an early age she loved everything related to creativity, so she drew, painted, played instruments, and sang. During a stressful time in her life, these things helped her healed. However, she started designing dresses by accident.
“It was something that feeds my soul, and I said to myself, why shouldn’t I let that creativity feed me in all possible ways. I knew it was a sign that I should start doing something, but I knew it had to be something I love, and something that cannot easily be found here. Without a second thought, I decided to start making women’s nightgowns and kaftans (or coats) in silk, which instills pleasure and luxury at first sight. I think that every woman should have a nightgown, or as many of them as possible because I personally love these things and wear them all the time,” says Ajla.
Ajla also understands that women who are dedicated to their families rarely have the opportunity to wear something beautiful.
“During a certain period of my life, I was constantly at home, but I still like to take care of myself and look nice. That’s when I decided I wanted to make nightgowns. A lot of women asked me where they could buy a halter, kaftan, or other similar things because it is less common in our country. We only older collections here because we are lagging behind the trends,” says Ajla.
In the beginning of any business venture, it’s not only the idea that is important but also the the initial financing. Ajla knew this well, so first she consulted with her parents and friends, who all responded positively.
“Then I started looking for the type of material I would use because I knew absolutely nothing – the only thing I had was a vision of what the items should look like, and I also knew how to draw. I read a lot about different types of materials, so I got in touch with one woman who has been sewing for many years and then through her I came to another woman who worked in Milan for Robert Cavalli and other famous brands. She told me that quality is the most important thing in this business, because if you buy something that is not of good quality, you will never buy it again, which is quite logical regardless of the price. And if you have quality, whatever the price, you will do your best to buy another piece,” recounts Ajla.
First, she started working on simpler models that she only shared with family and friends. But she was still looking to add details that could be recognizable for new customers who may decide to buy her creation in the future.
Addition to Simplicity through Deep V Back
She chose to use deep V cut at the back of her gowns as a signature look for her collections, settling on her favorite color combination, gold and black.
“I like when a woman has a half-naked back, I didn’t choose it to be something vulgar, but because when a woman wears it, it’s very attractive. Some will say the V cut is too simple, but I think it looks nice on a woman. It’s kind of subtle,” says Ajla.
Starting out wasn’t easy for her.
“When I told a friend, she immediately made a Facebook page and Instagram for me, but I needed money. When I came to my seamstress, I told her I only had drawings. Then we started to make the drawing look better and transfer it to material we had. Making the first sample was a very long process. Today, people buy a Chinese piece of clothing and disassemble it, then take a cut and add something else to it and say that it is their model. We even lost a whole day making the perfect sketch for straps,” says Ajla.
According to Ajla, a nightgown can be made in four hours, as long as you already have a cut, but if you want to start from the beginning, the process takes longer. Her first creation was also very emotional for her.
“When I made the first model, I was so happy and I even started crying. I couldn’t believe my dream came true. We sewed everything else following that piece. After that I did a two-piece set – a T-shirt and shorts – and then I did a kaftan. I wanted it to be as simple as possible, but again to have something graceful. I decided on bell sleeves and lace, which gave the kaftans a lot of charm. I always wear it home. I even combined it with pants and a T-shirt, and a lot of people asked me where I got it,” says Ajla.
For now, she offers standard sized nightgowns and kaftans, and the price depends on the type of material she uses.
“If I spent, for example, 50 BAM on one nightgown, then I have to make that money back and earn something on top of that as well. For now, my team is only working on bulk production because when you make 100 pieces you have an automatic discount on all materials. So, I think then I will be in a position where I can lower the price and make them affordable for everyone, but I will not lower my standards. If someone trusts my products enough to pay me with the money that they earned, then I want them to be happy,” says Ajla.
Her drawings were also praised by Adin Hebib, a Bosnian painter, who is one of her greatest supporters.
“I showed him the drawings and he said, ‘Well, this is amazing, let’s do something.’ He also told me that it would be a shame not to give this work my all because he is familiar with this kind of work – he worked for the big names, and he also understands design. For now, I have stopped with all of that. I’ve focused more on details and I’m sketching a lot, but I’m not posting anything on my page because I’ve noticed that some people have started stealing my ideas. I am focused on making one fine collection of four or five models and devoting my maximum to them,” says Ajla.
In addition to her business, Ajla is also working three additional jobs and says that she indulges in drawing during the evening for some positive energy.
Nevertheless, Ajla prefers not to partner with BiH brands due to toxic competitiveness in this business.
“I often had the chance to work through music with people who have already established their names. It may be bad from my side, but these people are like wolves, and I don’t want that. I don’t want to squeeze myself into that mold and let drain my energy at all. So, I don’t want to be part of a chain where we compete and are constantly under pressure. I want to try this on my own so I can say that I did it. I want to fight my own fight. I know people will buy my collection, and my biggest goal is to be known around the world,” says Ajla.
Being Natural is Beautiful
Although many perceive fashion as the source of a woman’s beauty, it can also be the source of stereotypes connected with a woman’s appearance.
“We all love to see a beautiful woman, but real beauty comes from the heart. When someone is listless and unhappy, you can see that from the outside. We need to work on awareness that a woman is not only here to give birth to children, or cook at home, or depend on others financially, or only to look beautiful for others. As a mother of two girls, I don’t know how to keep these stereotypes from being imposed on. It is very difficult to emphasize natural beauty,” says Ajla.
Ajla believes that the only thing people need to have to puruse their goals is courage.
“Generally, in life, people should have courage and not be afraid of anything because we never know when we will lose something – if we knew, we would not follow that path. Only people who have no fear can things done. People who love, people who are positive, people who fight. The type of people who can sleep peacefully because they know that they have not deceived anyone, or caused undue pain,” says Ajla.
Ajla also believes that everything in life requires hard work, and she wants to inspire others with her story.
“Imagine having two babies: one who hasn’t walked yet, and the other who has just started talking. I never said I couldn’t do something, nor did I look for any other way. The only way I knew is to fight for what I believe. It may be the hardest way, but it is also the best way,” says Ajla.
One of her dreams is to open her own shop because she believes her struggle will bring good results.
“At the end of the day, I want to be able to tell myself that I tried everything. I was not lazy, or waiting around for something or someone, but I fought to the very end. I want to be proud of myself and that keeps me going,” concludes Ajla.
You can view and order her creations on her Instagram profile (@doolzee or @ajla_zee_doolsee).

created: December 7th, 2021

author: Kristina Gadže


text:
Stigmatization of Victims Does Not Recognize Gender | Balkan Diskurs
Matija Krivošić
December 10th, 2021
Gender-based violence has become a common phenomenon in our society and a problem usually not approached in time. Unfortunately, many victims are afraid to express their thoughts and emotions openly and publicly. Victims’ stories often do not see the light of day; they remain a mere number in the statistics on gender-based violence or a name and surname on death certificates.
Stereotypes and prejudices that lead to gender-based violence begin paradoxically in children’s education. Boys are only boys if they are violent and play with rifles and pistols. They are only valorized if they do certain sports, while girls must be gentle and fragile and are expected to cook and clean. BiH society expects girls to fit into the roles of “mother” and “wife” because these are the only acceptable female identities.
“The one who beats loves” is an often-heard motto, which some children take to heart. Even when someone pulls them by the hair or hits them on the buttocks in elementary school, some girls remain silent and suffer because that is what they have been brought up to do. This infantile and nebulous phrase is just a small fragment of the types of values we were raised to believe. We all heard this phrase as children, and it is just the tip of the iceberg. Later on in life, mottos like these are used to justify violence experienced by women.
Any act of violence becomes a basis for blaming the victim, which is especially more common in women than in men. When we talk about gender-based violence, there are two extremes.
On the one hand, we have men who are afraid to report gender-based violence because they are so scared of condemnation from society because they are supposed to be the stronger sex. They usually face shame and humiliation in front of friends, relatives, and children because society tends to ridicule men who claim to be victims of gender-based violence. Men who report gender-based violence tend to be called wimp, henpecked, fagot, or other pejorative names if they dare to defy tradition and gender norms.
On the other hand, women are more stigmatized as victims because they are always considered guilty. Every woman who is a victim of gender-based violence is called a lunatic, or a bitch, or uneducated or stupid, or promiscuous, and such names only serve to assuage male anger.  Comments about female victims are much more disgusting and chauvinistic and can hardly be paraphrased.
According to a 2013 survey, the BiH Agency for Gender Equality found that more than half of the women included in the study experienced some form of violence after the age of 15. But in practice, what are the people’s experiences who provide therapeutic services to victims of gender-based violence?  Esmin Brodlija, psychologist and psychotherapist, and Lejla Heremić, social pedagogue and family counselor from the expert team “Zenica,” shared their experiences.
When asked who the most frequent victims of gender-based violence are, the answer was unanimous – women.
“What we need to be aware of is that in our society, women are the most common victims of gender-based violence and that men (and also other women) abuse positions of power to commit violence against women who are perceived as weaker,” Brodlija explains.
Heremić confirmed that there is not only one form of violence. Gender-based violence can include physical, psychological, sexual, and economic. Brodlija believes that psychological violence is the most present, although she notes that sexual violence is also underreported.
“Physical violence is the most visible and certainly the easiest to prove, and thus it is the most frequently reported. However, almost all physical violence includes psychological violence. Psychological violence, however, is not always accompanied by physical violence,” adds Brodlija.
In addition to these types of violence, there is also harassment, sexual harassment, and the increasingly present cyber violence.
The devastating fact from this study shows that as many as 58.4% of women who have been exposed to physical violence believe that they are not victims of physical violence.
All statistics show that women are more often victims of violence than men, and reporting on women as victims of violence is more present in the media. According to Heremić, violence against men should also be noted, as well as its manifestations and consequences.
“Men who are victims of violence also applied to the psychological counseling center “Medica Zenica,” most often due to psychological violence,” says Heremić.
According to Heremić, victims often avoid seeking help because they are afraid of the consequences.
“It is important to keep in mind that the dynamics of violent relationships include various forms of manipulation by the perpetrator towards the victim of violence, such as causing fear, blackmail, threats, threatening to take the children, death threats, or damage to honor and reputation. In addition, long-term exposure to violence can negatively impact the victims’ self-perception, self-esteem, and self-confidence, or a re-examination of their actions,” said Heremić.
Brodlija says that the first step for victims of violence should be to acknowledge the problems in dealing with the violent experience and seek adequate help because violence is a traumatic experience. It can cause negative consequences on one’s overall health, especially one’s mental health. It is important to get out of these toxic relationships and dedicate yourself to personal growth and development by working with a psychologist, psychotherapist, or other professional.
“We should be guaranteed the right to life, and no one should endanger that. I believe that this should be a good enough argument to respond to any condemnation and stigmatization of the victim,” says Brodlija.
“Medica Zenica” is working on the psychological empowerment of women victims of violence to change societal attitudes so that women realize that being a victim does not make them any less valuable.
“In addition, Medica Zenica has been working for many years on destigmatizing this issue in the community. We try to raise awareness about the presence of violence, forms of protection, and various prejudices that are associated with violence in the family and the community,” explains Heremić.
Although there is a certain understanding in society about gender and sex, we still do not treat men and women as equals. BiH still has a patriarchally oriented attitude, and these strict gender roles will continue to bind every woman and every man if they do anything out of the “norm.”
Legal and procedural regulations depend on the complete eradication of this social problem. Of course, safeguards are not effective if they are not implemented and consistently monitored. There is also a lack of reaction from competent institutions.
Until boys are allowed to cry openly and be interested in fashion, design, or other creative work; until men are not called gay because they want to have a female roommate; until their main purpose is not just to extend the family tree; until girls can buy a soccer ball or a team jersey without judgment; until women can be widows, single mothers, divorced mothers, own ten pets, be military personnel, bus and taxi drivers, without being called weirdos – only then can we hope to reduce the effects gender-based violence.

created: December 10th, 2021

author: Matija Krivošić


text:
New Generations Still Follow in a War Criminal’s Footsteps | Balkan Diskurs
Kristina Gadže | Taylor Whitsell
December 15th, 2021
Experts on transitional justice and human rights activists predict that a fight is ahead. Only those armed with facts can stop the celebration of war criminals, unfortunately, left to the young generation as a cultural heritage.
Ratko Mladić is a war criminal. He is the former commander of the General Staff of the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS), a general by military rank, who was in hiding for almost 16 years and was finally arrested in Serbia in 2011. On June 8th of this year, after nine years of court proceedings, the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (MICT) upheld a verdict sentencing Mladić to life in prison for genocide in Srebrenica, terrorizing citizens in Sarajevo, and other crimes committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1995. However, disrespect for court-established facts can be seen in recent events in Serbia concerning a mural of Ratko Mladić. Despite calls to remove the mural, Serbian police banned its removal on November 9th this year, citing “security risks.” The situation is not better in Bosnia and Herzegovina, either, and only time can tell whether legal provisions banning genocide denial and other crimes will be implemented. Experts on transitional justice and human rights activists predict that a fight is ahead. Only those armed with facts can stop the celebration of war criminals, unfortunately, left to the young generation as a cultural heritage.
From the Indictment to the Final Verdict
The trial of Mladić began in May 2012 before the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). After more than five years, on November 22nd, 2017, Mladić was convicted for “the worst massacre in Europe since the Nazi era,” according to the British magazine The Guardian.
He was convicted of genocide and persecution, extermination, murder, deportation, and forcible transfer from the Srebrenica area in 1995; persecution, extermination, murder, deportation, and inhumane acts of forced relocation in municipalities throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina; for killing, terrorizing, and unlawfully attacking civilians in Sarajevo; and taking United Nations (UN) hostages, as stated in the ICTY’s Trial Judgment Summary.
He committed the crimes by participating in and contributing to four joint criminal enterprises (JCEs), namely the comprehensive joint criminal enterprise, the joint criminal enterprise related to Sarajevo, the joint criminal enterprise related to Srebrenica, and the joint criminal enterprise related to hostage-taking.
He is guilty of orchestrating the murder of more than 7,000 Bosniak men and boys throughout Srebrenica, including the killing of more than 1,000 men in a large warehouse in the village of Kravica and 1,000 men near a school in Orahovac.
Under Mladić’s command, Sarajevo was under siege for 1,460 days – the longest siege in modern history, when hundreds of thousands of grenades were fired on the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina and more than 11,500 people were killed. This garnered him the nickname the “butcher of Bosnia.”
Mladić is guilty of ten of the 11 counts of genocide, crimes against humanity, violations of the laws or customs of war. His indictment was filed in 1995.
However, Mladić hid from international justice for the next 16 years. He was arrested in Lazarevo, Serbia, in May 2011. His trial began on May 16th, 2021. Three hundred seventy-seven witnesses were examined, and about 9,914 pieces of evidence were admitted. He was tried on the indictment last revised on December 16th, 2011.
The Genocide of Bosnian Muslims in Srebrenica
The Trial Chamber, chaired by Judge Alphonse Orie, found that members of the Republika Srpska Army (VRS) intended to eradicate all Bosnian Muslims from Srebrenica, who represented a significant part of the protected group.
The verdict found that between July 12 and 14, 1995, members of the VRS and the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) organized transportation for approximately 25,000 Bosnian Muslims, mostly women, children, and the elderly, from the Srebrenica enclave to the territory under the control of the BiH Army, in convoys of buses and trucks. Bosnian Serb soldiers systematically separated men from the rest. Among the separated men, there were boys as young as 12 and people over 60.
The separation was aggressive. People on the buses were told that Bosnian Muslim men would come later. They never did. The Bosnian Muslim men taken from Potočari were detained in temporary facilities and later taken by bus, along with others captured from a column of fleeing people to execution sites in Srebrenica, Bratunac, and Zvornik.
The Trial Chamber found that many of these men and boys were cursed, insulted, threatened, and forced to sing Serbian songs while waiting to be executed.
Bosnian Serb forces, primarily VRS members, systematically killed several thousand men and boys.
For several weeks in September and early October 1995, senior VRS and MOI officers tried to cover up their crimes by exhuming the remains of victims from several mass graves and reburying them in remote areas of Zvornik and Bratunac.
Furthermore, the Chamber found that killings were committed in several municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina that constituted a crime against humanity and a violation of the rights and customs of war. It was stated that many victims were killed before, during, and after the Bosnian Serb attacks on non-Serb villages. The circumstances were terrible; those trying to defend their homes faced relentless force. Many of the perpetrators who captured Bosnian Muslims showed little or no respect for human life and dignity.
Regarding the accusation of genocide committed in six other municipalities (Sanski Most, Vlasenica, Foča, Kotor Varoš, Ključ, and Prijedor), the Chamber did not conclude that there had been intent to exterminate a significant part of the protected group of Bosnian Muslims in UN safe zone.
The Chamber found that the physical perpetrators in the municipalities of Sanski Most, Vlasenica, and Foča, as well as certain perpetrators in the municipalities of Kotor Varoš and Prijedor, intended to murder Bosnian Muslims in those municipalities as part of a protected group. However, they concluded that these victims did not constitute a significant part of the protected group. This is the only count in the indictment against Mladić for which he was not found guilty.
Furthermore, the Chamber found that deportations and inhumane acts of forcible transfer as crimes against humanity were committed in the municipalities of Banja Luka, Bijeljina, Foča, Ilidža, Ključ, Kotor Varoš, Novi Grad, Pale, Prijedor, Rogatica, Sanski Most, Sokolac, and Vlasenica.
The Chamber found that many victims had been subjected to unlawful detention and cruel treatment on political, racial, and religious grounds. In several detention camps, the conditions were appalling. There was not enough food and water, which led to malnutrition and death. Detainees were often beaten, sometimes with brass boxers and iron bars. The detainees were forced to rape each other and perform other degrading sexual acts on each other. Many Bosnian Muslim women, who were detained illegally, were raped.
From mid-May 1992 to November 1995, the VRS and the Sarajevo-Romanija Corps (SRK) deliberately fired grenades and sniper shots at Sarajevo’s civilian population, often at locations of little to no military importance. As a result, hundreds of civilians were killed and thousands injured, many of whom were shot while performing daily activities such as walking with their children, fetching water, collecting firewood, or going to the market.
The Chamber found that SRK members intended to spread terror among Sarajevo residents and that terrorism was the primary purpose of sniping and shelling. The Chamber found that members of the SRK committed murder, unlawful attacks on civilians, terrorism as a violation of the laws or customs of war, and murder as a crime against humanity.
Appeals were filed against the first-instance verdict. In detailed appeals, Mladić’s defense demanded that he be acquitted or tried again, while the Hague Prosecution requested that he be found guilty of genocide in six other country’s municipalities.
Appeals were filed before the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Courts (IRMCT), the legal successor to the ICTY. The second instance and the final verdict were passed on June 8th, rejecting the requests made in the appeals. Mladić was sentenced to life in prison for the genocide in Srebrenica and other crimes committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina, terrorizing the citizens of Sarajevo and taking UN members hostage. The verdict states that Mladić committed crimes by participating in four joint criminal enterprises:
Denial and Minimization
In 2011, Azra Hadžiahmetović and Beriz Belkić, members of the House of Representatives of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly, submitted the Bill on Prohibition of Denial, Minimization, Justification, or Approval of the Holocaust, Crimes of Genocide, and Crimes Against Humanity for consideration. Republika Srpska lawmakers did not support the proposal. The RS joint commission suggested that the issue be introduced through criminal law. However, that was not adopted either. The state parliament did not adopt a ban on genocide and holocaust denial in the years to come.
Only in 2021, at the very end of his mandate, did High Representative Valentin Inzko use his Bonn powers to introduce an amendment to the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which prohibits and punishes denial of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and glorification of convicted war criminals.
“The amendment to the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina aims to address the lack of an existing legal framework, which does not offer an adequate response to the problem of hate speech, and which manifests itself through denial of crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, even when final verdicts have already been finalized by domestic and international courts,” the Office of the High Representative said.
Anyone who publicly endorses, denies, grossly diminishes, or attempts to justify the crime of genocide, a crime against humanity, or a war crime shall be punished by imprisonment between six months and five years, which applies to both groups and individuals.
The final verdict against Mladić was not accepted in Republika Srpska. Denial of war crimes, genocide, the celebration of war criminals, and murals celebrating criminals like Mladić walls significantly impede transitional justice. – journalist’s point of view
Marijana Toma, a historian and expert on transitional justice and dealing with the past from Serbia, says few transitional justice initiatives exist, and many people deny judicially established facts.
“Now we have a complete military leadership of the Bosnian Serb army, which is basically responsible for the crimes in Bosnia, but primarily for the genocide in Srebrenica. I think that is important on a symbolic level. What I do not get, and what I see as a potential problem, is a very aggressive campaign against the court-established facts that have been established before the Hague Tribunal, and also before the International Court of Justice,” says Toma.
The denial campaign is not something new, Toma believes, because we have witnessed it unfolding over the last ten – or even 12 – years.
“A party that denies court-established facts will not just change its mind because of, you know, the verdict against Mladić,” Toma continues.
She notes that one of the key things is education, which can be seen as an example of good practice in Germany.
“What proved successful is when Holocaust education entered the official education curriculum when students and young generations could learn about it, see themselves concentration camps. That’s when society changed. I think this is the best possible strategy, but unfortunately, in our region, it can be a big problem because we have a reluctant education system or institutions that do not want to open this issue,” said Toma.
She also notes that fear prevents things from moving forward because “there is already a nationalist agenda in our curricula.”
“I do not have the right answer on how to fight genocide denial. It would be easy to say that we respect judicially established facts, but we already know that no matter how many times the Hague or another tribunal (International Court of Justice) says it is genocide, you will still have people saying, ‘but in my opinion, it is not genocide,’ not realizing that they are not qualified enough to have an opinion on it,” says Toma jokingly, as she describes the importance of the Hague Tribunal and the Srebrenica Memorial Center.
“I Consider Them All Cowards”
“If it weren’t for the Hague tribunal, we wouldn’t have a life sentence. And I think that’s important. As a historian, what is important to me is the abundance of information they have – the archive they have compiled. This is very similar to what the Srebrenica Memorial Center is doing now because they really want to have information in one place. All the information serves as knowledge for the new generations. I think it is something that can make a change in society in the long run,” said Toma.
Tanya L. Domi, adjunct assistant professor of international and public affairs at Columbia University and an associate at the Harriman Institute, visited Bosnia immediately after the war to help implement the Dayton Peace Accords.
“As a former US Army officer, I possess utter contempt for Ratko Mladić and Radovan Karadžić, the military and political masterminds of Bosnia’s destruction. And from Belgrade, Slobodan Milošević played his hand in accelerating the disintegration of Bosnia. I consider them all cowards – to have killed more than 110,000 people in Bosnia alone. These persons are dishonorable; they are war criminals; they are sociopaths; they are beyond redemption. I also came to understand that there were many genocides carried out in Bosnia, but not all were prosecuted or investigated,” she said.
According to Domi, Ratko Mladić fought a genocidal war under the pretext of ethnic cleansing, including the mass rape of predominantly Muslim women and the siege of Sarajevo, the longest siege in modern European history.
“The legacy of these wars continues to challenge and haunt the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina and their diaspora that fled to more than 80 countries around the world. If Germany in the aftermath of World War II is an example to point to, it will take at least +50 years with hard work in peacebuilding and responsible political leadership to overcome the past that has torn Bosnia asunder,” Domi said.
Many Serbs in Republika Srpska and Serbia still celebrate Mladić as a war hero, and younger generations do not want to acknowledge the truth about the Srebrenica genocide, which calls into question whether the verdict will drastically change the minds of those who deny genocide.
Tanya shares her experience from August 1996: “I was posted to the regional office of the OSCE Mission to BiH in Sokolac, and on number of occasions, I witnessed likely Mladić’s and Karadžić’s motorcades travelling at high speed with flashing lights on the side roads of Eastern Bosnia countryside – this was the heart of war crimes denial, located closely to Pale, the operating Bosnian Serb capitol during the war. It would not be until the British and French SFOR troops began arresting war criminals in 1997 before Mladić and Karadžić completely disappeared from the sovereign territory of Bosnia. Serbia handed over Radovan Karadžić to The Hague tribunal in November 2008.”
In retrospect, she says, the UN did not serve in the interests of the ICTY by funding an ongoing communications project in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia.
“By failing to engage in standard public affairs practice, the ICTY has lost a difficult battle by failing to effectively shape public opinion on the need for trials to hold war criminals accountable for horrific war crimes. It was a significant missed opportunity. At a time of belated leadership, High Representative Valentin Inzko took action to impose amendments to the BiH Criminal Code in line with his largely underutilized Bonn powers approving sanctions for conduct glorifying convicted war criminals who committed genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes,” said Domi.
This new law, in her opinion, gives human rights defenders and democratic activists the opportunity to improve the rule of law while facing hate speech.
“To make this law manifest will be an arduous undertaking by prosecutors, lawyers and human rights advocates and defenders. The international community should aid by funding education campaigns to the Bosnian public. Training and education about the new amendments to the BiH criminal code should be liberally distributed and the international community should strongly support such efforts by providing funds and hosting events about the important application of the new laws to seek accountability for genocide denial,” Domi explained.
Domi mentioned that the Srebrenica Memorial Center in Potočari published a report on the denial of genocide in Bosnia and the wider Balkan region for 2021.
“Armed with documented truth, now is the moment to pursue those who deny the most heinous crimes committed in Europe since World War II. Many Bosnians feel there has been little accountability because so many perpetrators have not been brought before courts and prosecuted for their crimes. To brazenly deny these crimes, is not only wounding but insults the pervasive suffering by the survivors. Thus, the new genocide denial law offers another avenue to accountability that is more than deserved by the Bosnian public and especially for the thousands of victims whose lives have been changed forever by the consequences of the war,” concludes Domi.
The Cultural Heritage of Celebrating War Criminals
Unfortunately, celebrating war criminals has often been inherited by younger generations in the region. Young people are often exposed to ethnonationalist narratives at home and as part of their formal education. The recent around-the-clock police protection of Mladić’s mural in a trendy Belgrade neighborhood only reinforces the celebration of the war criminals. Protestors who wanted to remove the mural on November 9th, the International Day against Fascism and Anti-Semitism, were prevented by Serbian police and Mladić supporters. This was followed by numerous clashes during protests led by activists who said they had the permission of the communal police to remove the mural. However, the Interior Ministry concluded that such action could lead to disturbances of public order and peace.
Marko Milosavljević, a program coordinator at the Human Rights Initiative of Serbia, explained how the conflict between the state and activists escalated.
“As the Youth Initiative for Human Rights, we wanted to mark the International Day against Fascism and Anti-Semitism together with the residents of the surrounding streets and our guests from other countries by removing the mural of Ratko Mladić. As a reminder, the tenants of the buildings where this mural is located received an order from the communal militia of the municipality of Vračar to remove it. However, although the housing community initiated the removal, no public or private company accepted the job. That is why we have taken on the responsibility to organize a public gathering and try again to find a company that would remove it,” said Milosavljević.
When they found professionals who would remove the mural, he stated they were banned from the rally, which intimidated both the company and the tenants.
“Since the gathering was banned, despite citizens’ attempts to protest by partially damaging Mladić’s mural, the entire area has become a zone of lawlessness because there are a group of hooligans who control the movement of residents and disturb public order and peace. However, the removal of Mladić’s mural remains the city and state’s obligation. It is our right to demand that because the removal of that mural will open space for an inclusive culture of remembrance in Serbia, where the victims of Mladić’s army from Prijedor, Sarajevo, Srebrenica, and Foča will be respected,” Milosavljević said.
Milosavljević explained that the denial of genocide and other war crimes and the celebration of war criminals is present in Serbia: “The initiative to remove the monument to Mladić has exposed what we have been warning about for years, and that is the celebration of war criminals in and by Serbian institutions. That is why they constantly deny genocide. If, for the Prime Minister of Serbia, genocide is a misunderstanding, and, for the President of the Parliamentary Committee on Justice, July 11th is ‘the day of the liberation of Srebrenica,’ then it is clear why a mural becomes more than just a mural…it becomes a monument to Mladić.”
However, he points out that a sufficiently loud minority in Serbia does not agree that the image of a war criminal should be an image of society in Serbia. He also cites citizens’ interventions to remove graffiti and place symbols of remembrance for Srebrenica genocide victims.
Due to the nature of their work, there was also vandalism on the organization’s premises: unknown hooligans graffitied their property with various vulgarities. This puts great pressure on activists who want to fight the system based on ethnic divisions. However, Milosavljević says that “there is pressure, but it is negligible in relation to the need to do our job.”
These events also affect the younger generations who grow up hearing hateful narratives.
“The extent to which the narratives of denial are great can be seen by the fact that even after 25 years of war and genocide, new generations have been pushed into the lobby for a new war by threatening to form a new Army of Republika Srpska,” Milosavljević concluded.

created: December 15th, 2021

author: Kristina Gadže | Taylor Whitsell


text:
SaponiFly: Natural Soaps with Irresistible Scents | Balkan Diskurs
Mirnes Bakija
December 17th, 2021
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has discouraged many entrepreneurs, it has not discouraged 37-year-old Dijana Markuš, the owner of the SaponiFly brand.
She got the idea to make soap about a year ago when she had a lot of free time due to the pandemic. During that period, she researched and read a lot about how soaps are made, the techniques for making them, and what materials are usually used.
Although these days, irresistible scents spread through her home as she makes her soaps, Dijana says that the beginning was not easy. The first soap she made ended up in the trash, but she did not let that get the best of her. Instead, it drove her to try harder.
“I went step by step. Every time the soaps were better, and I was happier”, adds Dijana with a smile.
She says she is most proud that she is the mother of three sons, with whom she spends most of her time. Although motherhood comes with a lot of responsibility, she says that she always finds time to dedicate to making soap.
She often likes to experiment with shapes and different ingredients to make the soaps as unique as possible. It takes several hours of dedicated work to make a good quality soap. Dijana explains that the most important thing is preparation. She must precisely plan and measure the ingredients.
“My soaps are made from vegetable oils and butter, fragrant and essential oils, mineral dyes, and other things like clay, activated carbon, and coffee, for example. Each recipe is carefully put together to get the best out of the ingredients. It is a real pleasure to combine colors and scents and then get praised for it,” says Dijana.
She is also a member of the “Soap Challenge Club,” a worldwide association of soap producers, where she has the opportunity to learn from the best and develop and improve various soap-making skills.
She says product promotion is extremely important, so potential customers know what you are doing. SaponiFly posts photos of products on Instagram and Facebook, where customers can also order. In addition, through these social networks, it is possible to see all the products she offers and their ingredients. She adds that promoting the soaps at bazaars is also important. She had the opportunity to exhibit at the PopArt market and the small bazaar “Može i drugačije” in cooperation with the eTrafika portal.
“Promotion of that kind is hugely important because people can watch what you do. Although I try to bring every product closer to people with photos and accompanying texts on social networks, doing that in person is always more interesting. And to fully experience a soap, you have to smell it in person,” says Dijana.
In addition to soaps, she also makes fragrant waxes for melting and decorations. She says that she loves the pleasant scents that spread through her home as she makes them and also how well people react to these products.
“Fragrant wax decorations are made of pure beeswax and essential and fragrant oils. They have different purposes, like decorations for Christmas trees, walls, windows, doors, or as air fresheners. They have an intense and refreshing scent. When their smell weakens, they can break down and melt in wax melters, thus refreshing and purifying the space. Fragrant wax decorations are a completely ecological product,” explains Dijana.
She believes that starting your own business is a big challenge in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially when one does not have the capital. She loves making soaps as a hobby, but she notes that it is expensive. She can earn only enough to buy new raw materials or pay for soap-making courses, but she is still very happy to be making them.
“So far, I have not had any significant problems, except when procuring raw materials because not all of them are available to me in Bosnia and Herzegovina, so I procure them from abroad,” adds Dijana.
She believes that women in small businesses are most afraid of failure and emphasizes that it is important to believe in ourselves and what we do. If we do that, she says, then success is almost guaranteed. In addition, the support you receive from your community is extremely important.
“In order to create something with our own hands, we first need faith in ourselves and our abilities, and then work, learning, research, and a lot of trial and error. After all that, I am sure success will come. And of course, you have to let go of all fear and doubt and move forward,” says Dijana.
At the end of our conversation, she explained that it is currently difficult for her to talk about future plans.
“I only plan to be better and have unique products, and I have a strong desire to sell soaps in stores where people will be able to look at and smell them physically. I would like to take this opportunity to invite all interested parties who have their own outlets and who would like to exhibit my products to contact me!” Dijana concludes.

created: December 17th, 2021

author: Mirnes Bakija


text:
Radio Active Zenica: Reviving the Alternative Youth Scene in Zenica | Balkan Diskurs
Alem Bajramović
December 22nd, 2021
Radio Active Zenica is one of the first community radio stations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. No crime reporting, politics, or advertisements can be found on Radio Active, only positive stories and a lot of good music.
It is managed by the Association for the Care and General Rights of Children “Our Children” Zenica. Created in 2011 when it received a permit from the Communications Regulatory Agency (CRA), its first program aired in 2012. All the content it produces is intended for children and young people, primarily in Zenica and in the surrounding area.
The Association for the Care and General Rights of Children “Our Children” Zenica was founded in 1992 to help children and people through humanitarian work and actions during the war. After that, the organization shifted its focus to advocating for children’s rights. Its activities also include the Children’s Parliament, the “Be a Man” Club, a debate club, and a production studio.
Radio Active’s programming is made exclusively by children and young people. Ena Čaušević is the editor of the Radio Active Zenica program. As a child, she started going to the workshops of the Children’s Parliament, and she joined the radio team in 2017, where she has been an editor for more than two years. She says that the radio team members bounce ideas off one another and are constantly acquiring knowledge through various education programs and seminars. They strive to find fresh voices for their activities.
“We currently have about 15 live shows a week. In addition, we have one or two recorded shows a day, various collaborations with other media or associations, and we also contribute to other radio shows. Since the radio station was founded, we have been guided by some main principles: we do not feature crime reporting or negative news in any form, and we do not promote politicians, political parties, or air commercials. We also play alternative music, especially compared to other radio stations in BiH,” says Ena.
Ivona Kukić is a volunteer, correspondent, podcaster, and editor at Radio Active. She began working there in February 2020. She says that she only wrote articles in her first few months, but she later expanded her work to other areas.
“I have a feeling that since I’ve been here, I’ve been growing up a lot. This is something I wish I had done before. I’m from Zenica, and I’ve known about radio for a very long time, so I think I should have gotten into all this in my high school days. This is a great opportunity to discover what interests you, to meet peers who think critically and objectively, and with whom you can build true friendships,” says Ivona.
After graduating from college, Ivona could not find a job, so through Radio Active, she decided to educate herself informally and create her own work experience on the radio.
“This is a great opportunity to feel useful to the local community and your peers. You find your voice, what you love, what moves you. You learn how to think critically, not be afraid to express your opinion through words, videos, or any kind of media that we create,” says Ivona.
She believes that Radio Active is undeniably important for young people in Zenica because it is a safe space to explore, learn, grow, and socialize.
The show’s topics are often community-related, focusing on urban issues like activism, culture, art, and youth in Zenica.
“Since the radio’s motto is “Let’s radiate positively,” we try to support positive stories through our program, like local creative youth with good ideas. We include people from Zenica, but also Bosnia and Herzegovina, who are a positive example to others,” adds Ena.
Kenan Beganović is also a member of the association “Our Children” and Radio Active. He has been there for three years, and now he is mostly engaged in writing articles and social media editing. He and two of his colleagues authored and voiced a radio drama, the first of its kind in Zenica.
“It’s not that I wasn’t a team player, but I liked to solve things individually. Somehow I trust myself the most. But here, I learned that I could rely on other people. I learned we could collectively solve problems that we encounter. We do very concrete things and learn and acquire various skills. So, if you are from Zenica and want to be a proactive part of the local community, I think “Our Children” and Radio Active are the right places for you,” says Kenan.
Radio Active strives to feature bands from Zenica, but also throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. This gives space to new musicians and allows listeners to enjoy different genres and sounds. Radio Active currently employs between 15 and 20 team members, including presenters, correspondents, technical support, and a social networking team.
There is also a production studio where local bands can hold free rehearsals and record songs with quality equipment and instruments.
“I was surprised how many bands actually practice in our studio. Some got the opportunity for their first performance through some of our events. I think this is a rarity – a place where musicians can practice and create whatever they want. And they always have our media support and can publish on our YouTube channel,” says Ena.
Citizens of Zenica can listen to what Radioactivists create and broadcast on their FM frequency, and those outside Zenica can do so through their website.
“Every day, we read more and more positive comments. Most of the community supports us. They know about us, especially the younger generations. We are often recognized on the streets of Zenica,” says Ena.
Like most non-governmental organizations and youth activities, the association “Our Children” and Radio Active are funded through donors and various NGO initiatives. They received space from the City of Zenica that they renovated through their own efforts and commitment. However, that is the only government support they have ever received.

created: December 22nd, 2021

author: Alem Bajramović


text:
Young Innovators Promote Digitization in Bosnia and Herzegovina | Balkan Diskurs
Maida Šljivić
December 24th, 2021
There are numerous positive and practical examples of youth action taken to improve the society in which we live and advocate for change.
The development of the technology sector is extremely dynamic, so the drivers of change in the digital world in our society are a significant link in the chain of such changes. For this reason, Bosnian society must stay in step with advances in technology. Young people are an important factor in that journey because they are involved in education and creation, which paves the way for innovation and new research.
Balkan Diskurs presents one such young innovator: Enver Gluhić (22), who lives and works in Tuzla. He is currently a student in the Faculty of Economics at the University of Sarajevo. He is the founder and, until recently, director of a successful online student service in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has helped around a thousand students find employment over the last two years and thus positioned itself among the three most successful companies in this industry.
“Creating technological innovations is my hobby, and business and adrenaline are something I enjoy the most,” said Gluhić.
Enver Gluhić created the application E-dokumenti (E-documents), which helps digitize citizens’ documents in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
During the pandemic, when there were long lines in front of public institutions and strict epidemiological guidelines, Enver came up with the idea to create an application that would help solve problems (or at least part of the problem) relating to issuing documents to citizens.
“I believe that everyone in Bosnia and Herzegovina has repeatedly encountered long queues and having to go to several different institutions in different parts of the city to collect documents they need. Of course, I also encountered the same problem several times. I was forced to spend time and energy visiting the Municipality, the Ministry of the Interior, the Court, and other institutions to obtain these kinds of documents. After this happened to me several times, I decided to create an application that would significantly help in facilitating this process for all BiH citizens,” Gluhić says.
The E-dokumenti application allows users to download any personal document in electronic form that can be printed. This application creates the opportunity for document verification, whereby a legal entity can verify the validity of a document via an identification number. Another important option is the online availability of the driver’s license, which would allow drivers to show their information to police officers on the spot in case they forget it and avoid paying a fine for not carrying the document.
“I absolutely believe that the application is the perfect response to the pandemic, and a promising solution for the future, even after the pandemic ends. I believe that the majority of citizens would agree with the fact that the technology is sufficiently developed to enable easier and faster data management with a reduced possibility of error,” says Gluhić.
Gluhić says the advantages of this application are: reduced queues, speed, 24/7 availability, more payment options (SMS, payment slip, voucher…) and an eco-friendly app (reduces paper waste). The application also facilitates recording and observation of statistical data and relies on comprehensiveness – you can get any document regardless of which institution is responsible for its issuance.
In addition to the new application’s main features and potential, Gluhić explained the application’s payment methods and loan replenishment feature via SMS and other details relating to the application’s function.
“The application was created so that it can be used by every citizen, regardless of their technological literacy, in the sense that it is maximally simplified and adapted for everyone’s use. I expect that the application would be widely accepted, especially by citizens that use mobile phones and computers daily,  most often citizens aged 18-50,” says Gluhić.
Gluhić continues to improve the application, which he wants to make publicly available soon, with the help of institutions and other partners. This is another story of successful young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina who strive to improve the system through their perspectives and experiences.

created: December 24th, 2021

author: Maida Šljivić


text:
Achieving Inclusion in BiH and Serbia: Employing People with Disabilities | Balkan Diskurs
Alem Bajramović | Filip Mirilović | Kristina Gadže
December 27th, 2021
People with disabilities are among the most marginalized groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, facing discrimination and stigmatization daily.
The definition of a person with a disability is still not consistent in BiH, although the country adopted the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In Serbia, by law, the term “persons with disabilities” means “persons with congenital or acquired physical, sensory, intellectual or emotional disabilities.” Due to their status, many organizations strive to improve their socialization and motivation for professional development by giving them employment opportunities.
Legal Framework for People with Disabilities in BiH and Serbia
According to the BiH Agency for Statistics, around 270,000 people live with disabilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Laws at various levels regulate their employment and establish funds for vocational rehabilitation and work for those with disabilities.
In Serbia, according to the census from 2011, there are 571,780 people registered with disabilities. The “Law on Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities” defines vocational rehabilitation as “organizing and implementing programs and activities to train for appropriate employment, recruitment, maintain employment, advancement or change of professional career.” According to the same law, those employed with disabilities can earn 100% of the average salary earned in the previous three months before joining a government-sponsored rehabilitation program. The salary compensation may not be less than the minimum wage in Serbia.
“People with disabilities in the Republic of Serbia represent one of the most vulnerable groups in all areas of social life, which is confirmed by the practice of the Commissioner, i.e., the number of complaints received by the institution due to discrimination based on disability,” said Brankica Janković Commissioner for Equality.
In addition, similarly to the law in BiH, the law in Serbia defines the employment of people with disabilities under both general and special conditions. General conditions mean “employment without adjustment of tasks and/or workplace,” while special conditions are considered “employment with adjustment of tasks and/or workplace.”
According to research published by Istinomjer women with disabilities find it harder to get a job than men, who are often given preferential treatment by employers, particularly if they fall under the category of “war invalids.” They also found that in 2015 in FBiH, women made up 26.6% of the total number of people with disabilities employed in 2015.In Republika Srpska, women only made up 6.2% from 2013 to 2016.
Ana Kotur Erkić, a lawyer and journalist in BiH who also lives with a disability, began working as an activist for people with disabilities seven years ago. However, she says that it has been a lifelong struggle for her. Activism later grew into what she called “human rights advocacy.”
“I was also active as a child – I stood against injustices, I was loud and always questioned ‘why?’ and ‘how?,’ but [seven years ago], for the first time, I seriously got into this as a journalist. Then, I was an editor for a portal on people with disabilities and then a contributor to many media organizations. Being a human rights defender, as a person who goes through constant discrimination, almost from the moment I leave my home, is not easy. I am constantly exposed to criticism because I do not fit societal norms, and I also carry the burden of the community on my back,” says Kotur Erkić.
She points out that discrimination is most noticeable regarding employment since she has still not found a permanent job.
“Since I have experience with more than 80 rejections, [I know that] going through this process is long and difficult, and I can say to survive and endure is certainly even harder. There are moments when it is indescribably difficult for me, when I am desperate and when I feel very bad since it is really unrealistic that I am still told that I am not a good candidate after so many applications. But, on the other hand, constant degradation and humiliation is great motivation for me to keep fighting,”Kotur Erkić says.
She says that while she struggles, she has also had great joint successes with exceptional people, be they in a non-governmental or institutional framework, the academic community, or a shared experience with life on the margins.
“When I recall of where my starting position was, what battles I won – I simply do not have the space to give up. My environment – except those closest to me – my society and the country in which I live are not favorable to people like me,” Kotur Erkić continues.
In her work, she turned to advocacy for those who cannot speak out.
“We have seen that society and the state do very little for all the people who live here, but have we done everything not to be in the position we are in? I know that I am still doing everything and that I am, in many regards, far ahead of what is expected of me. The employment process, as well as other things like education, housing, and access to justice, are not adapted for people with disabilities,” she emphasized.
She points out that laws and bylaws are insufficient to remedy the situation, and inadequate implementation and lack of real sanctions for those who do not want to employ a person with disabilities add to the issue. There are also few vacancies and poor work environments.
All this, emphasizes Kotur Erkić, shows that the labor rights of persons with disabilities are not implemented adequately.
Getting a Job Through the NGO Sector
Goran Rojević is the director and founder of the organization “Children’s Heart” from Serbia, which has been helping people with disabilities, their parents, and people who care for them for 20 years. According to Rojević, the organization now runs the “Sounds of the Heart” café, which, according to them, is the only one in the region where all employees are people with mental disabilities.
“The crown jewel of our work is helping them become as independent as possible and enabling them to live well and be professionally useful members of society. The café, together with the work center, aimed not to differ much from life in Belgrade, where restaurants and cafes function best. We have determined professions that could be performed well,” says Rojević.
He says that the employees live with them and go through the “School of Life” and “School of Life Skills” programs and additional training for bartenders and waiters.
“We place them in real-life situations from which they learn at a concrete level. When you train someone to be a waiter or a bartender, you put him in a challenging situation. When he says, ‘but I don’t know this,” then you teach him. Social mentors our employees with all of this,” describes Rojević.
He emphasizes that they are exceptional in all fields of work and that a good atmosphere is important for their productivity. Rojević adds that they help other colleagues in their activities when they finish one job. Working in a café has a positive effect on them.
“Together, we developed various social services and helped spread awareness so that people no longer think so much about their suffering in the past, but instead about how they can help other people. Society is more open than it was 20 years ago. Then, people were more focused on themselves and their problems. Now, [people with disabilities] are present in many schools, kindergartens, and educational institutions, where they were not 20 years ago,” says Rojević.
Rojević states that people with mental disorders tend to age out of the workforce more quickly, so it is better to hire them at an early age so that they can work longer and be active members of the community.
“When they are 18, we look for activities where they can spend a lot of physical energy. We have continued this with the “Center for Training and Employment of Persons with Disabilities. ”Through that, we recommend them to certain companies from the local community, and those companies employ them. They always have a kind of partnership with us, and in case of problems, we act as mediators.”
In addition to cafes, the organization also has a “Personal Companion of the Child” service, which operates at the local level through the government. Personal assistants are trained and cooperate with schools and institutions attended by children with disabilities. Rojević also says often, employees manage to become independent.
One of the employees, Marko, regularly makes espresso and waits for the guests’ reaction when they taste his coffee. Nemanja decorates beehives with his drawings for the agricultural farm in Vinča, where people with disabilities will work.
“I am drawing the coat of arms of Obrenović on the baskets here. I try to make it look perfect. I get tasks from my work instructors,” says Nemanja (27), one of the employees whose mentor says he has a photographic memory.
Nemanja says he would love to meet foreign actors in person and insists he would not be shy.
“I try to make everything nice and invite celebrities to visit here. I wanted the actors from the “Game of Fate” series to come here,” Nemanja says.
“I get the assignment to be in a café sometimes, and sometimes in a workshop to help. I make coffee, cocktails, and lemonades. Sometimes I cook lunch in the kitchen. I know how to make macaroni, I know pasta, and how to cook soup. I know how to bake sausages, and it is easy for me to prepare mashed potatoes,” says Nemanja as he describes his working day.
Not only can Nemanja cook, but he can also draw. It is not difficult for the versatile Nemanja to draw the “Children’s Heart coat of arms.”
When asked what he dislikes, he pauses.
“People joking around with me. And unsalted food.”
In general, he says, “I love everything.”
When asked how long he has been here, Nemanja knew the exact date immediately – the 24 of December, 2018. He tried to look for a job elsewhere, but it was difficult for him. He says that, eventually, he would like to do some work related to drawing.
“I would like that; I was thinking of doing something in a printing house, printing T-shirts and mugs. One day, not now. I still have to learn from work instructors. I can’t learn anything without them.”
Another employee, Anđela (22), has been at the center for three years, and she helps grow lavender there.
“I listen to what the work instructors tell me. It’s not a problem for me,” she says.
In addition to growing lavender, she also likes to work as a waitress and in the kitchen. She says she wouldn’t change a thing about her experience.
“I would stay here, and I would not change anything. Unless one day I get bored. Maybe I would do something with a computer, write and draw, something like that. I also like to draw at home,” says Anđela.
Parents are the Biggest Support for Those with Disabilities
In Goražde, a small town in BiH, there is the “Association of Persons with Cerebral Palsy and Dystrophy.” For many in the small town, this association represents a positive side of the society in which they live. One of their members, Alen Hedo, shares his life story with us.
“Since I was seven months old, I have had cerebral palsy. My family tried their hardest to make society include me. When it came time to enroll in school, the biggest problem was, to some extent, systematic barriers. Some people thought it might be better for me to be at home than to go to school because they thought it was too difficult for me,” says Alen.
He also said that navigating the stairs to reach the upper floors of his school was also a big challenge.
But Alen overcame it all with the help of his family. He says that he would not be what he is today without them. He grew up with two sisters, and he received full support from both them and his parents.
“After enrolling in primary school, my mother firmly decided that she wanted me to go to school. We didn’t have a car at the time. Every day, she carried me for five kilometers in both directions, including a backpack and all the equipment I needed. After a couple of years, we finally resolved the problem. A van was provided to drive the teachers, and they started picking me up along the way. After that, I enrolled in high school, and my father drove me,” continues Alen. He explains that his father could not get a job because he drove him to school every day, including university and sports activities.
He says he felt at home with the association and found many activities he could participate in.
“Society, ordinary people, my friends – they have never made me feel like I am less of a person.  It indicated that I actually need to fight like any other person to achieve success in every aspect of life. The same is true for education. My main motivation is my family. I also wanted to show others that everything is possible, and if you decide that your place is among those with Master’s degrees, then you can achieve that,” says Alen, who has his Master’s degree and plans to enroll in a doctorate program.
After graduating, he was given the opportunity to volunteer at the local MOI. There, he says, he had everything he needed as a person with a disability.
“There were no stairs, and the workplace was adjusted. I really enjoyed every day while working there. I was especially happy to work with citizens who had the opportunity to meet people with disabilities through my engagement. I worked on issuing personal documents, and I mostly met people there who were physically capable. They had the opportunity to see that people with disabilities deserve a place in society.”
He was subsequently employed in the high school, but the COVID-19 pandemic paused his two-year employment. Since then, he has struggled to find employment again.
“It is very difficult for people with disabilities to get a job. The system is somewhat to blame, and, on the other hand, the private sector does not invest enough in knowledge about people with disabilities. They prefer to pay penalties to the state rather than employing people with disabilities. It’s not something that really helps a person with a disability,” says Alen.
Alen believes that anyone who invests in Goražde should receive benefits, but on the condition that they employ people with disabilities, especially since many jobs can be adjusted. After talking to the mayor of Goražde, he became motivated to continue working in his hometown, and he did not want to leave.
“I had the opportunity to leave the town, but Goražde is where I am at home. Every street is my house. All these people are mine, and I see them as a family. If I went to Sarajevo or anywhere else to work, I would lose much more than I could gain. So he [the mayor] gave me hope that I would be employed since he applied for the Fund for Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities.”
According to Alen, the Fund for Professional Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities recently announced a public call for grants for legal entities that want to employ someone with a disability or for those with disabilities who are self-employed.
“In my case, the Town Administration, headed by Mayor Ernest Imamović, applied within that public call, and, in the end, the Town Administration leadership received approval for the funds for my employment for one year. Now it is up to the mayor and town administration to complete the paperwork so that I can start working soon. I believe that we will not wait long for this to be completed so I can start serving my fellow citizens,” said Alen.
He explains that there are no social stigmas against people with disabilities in Goražde.
“You have no problems on the street; no one will ever call you derogatory names. The only thing you may encounter is someone who hesitates to approach you, which is justified because they do not know your needs or potential. But if you make a request or ask for help, trust me, you will get more than you asked for.”
The desire to be behind the wheel was always a dream of his, and he has finally achieved it. He says they didn’t have a vehicle in the beginning, so he often sat behind the wheel of his uncle’s car. He now drives without any problems, even though he had a few obstacles when taking the exam.
“Whenever he [his uncle] came, instead of spending time with my family, I spent time behind the wheel. I really love it. I think that the vehicle is kind of an orthopedic aid for me, and that’s how I use it,” he says.
Various obstacles, prejudices, stereotypes, and non-implementation of laws are obvious setbacks for those with disabilities in BiH and Serbia. Anja, Alen, Anđela, Marko, and Nemanja represent a statistical rarity but also a great step forward for employing people with disabilities. They are an example to all.
This article was created as part of the “Media for All” program realized by the “Young Journalists Competition” project with the support of the British Council.

created: December 27th, 2021