(pilot study)
In October 2020, the Agency for Gender Equality of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ARSBiH), Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina (MLJPBiH) and the Women’s Network of BiH (WN) signed a Cooperation Agreement in which they agreed that their cooperation is based on the principle of mutual agreement, understanding and the need for joint work and promotion of gender equality, especially the rights of victims of gender-based violence, through advocacy for systemic resolution and improvement of the institutional framework for prevention, protection and fight against gender-based violence, based on and in accordance with the Law on Gender Equality in BiH, Istanbul Convention, Gender BiH Action Plan 2018-2022 and FIGAP II program 2018-2021. The agreement lays the foundation for joint action and exchange of information related to the content of the agreed and signed partnership and information related to all other activities in the field of prevention, protection and fight against gender-based violence.
The first result of this cooperation is a pilot study related to the position of vulnerable categories of women in BiH during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research, which consisted of focus groups with users of WM member organizations and a questionnaire, was designed, conducted and analyzed by the CURE Foundation (WM Coordinating Organization). ARSBiH and MLJPBiH provided part of the necessary funds for focus groups from the budget for implementation of the FIGAP II program. The intention was to research about, in a complex epidemiological situation and difficult communication, the problems faced by women belonging to vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to get the first findings and guidelines for some future large-scale research that should be done as soon as the situation allows. The research included respondents from 11[1] rural and urban areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina on a small sample. The questionnaire was completed by 28 women and the focus groups, which were organized in Bijeljina, Zenica and Čapljina, gathered 30 women. The main findings of this pilot study are purely indicative and as such cannot be generalized or applied to the entire population of marginalized categories of the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Participation in the research was voluntary and anonymous. In the period September-November 2020, the respondents answered 24 questions (15 open and 9 closed)
The statements we cite were recorded during focus group discussions. The researchers singled them out as characteristic because their meaning was repeated in different environments.
Now I have to ask him for money for everything I need. I think every time, no matter what I am asking for, is too much, whether I am a good woman or not. I don’t have the peace as before, when I could buy myself a box of cigarettes without feeling bad.
The fact that we did not have access to general practitioners, that all referrals and sick leave and the like were done over the phone was very stressful. The phones were constantly busy, and it took a lot of patience and nerves to get in touch with the doctor.
My ex-husband was and is constantly violent, which was especially difficult during the pandemic because the institutions were limited, and I could not rely on other people in the area because everyone was afraid for their safety. For many women, the pandemic was a PRISON with a bully, my ex-husband followed my children and I, he abused us, our lives were in danger, and I could not get help.
I had no one to turn to in the health institutions, and the Center for social work had limited working hours, so in those first days I did not have the support of the Center for social work. If it weren’t for the Center of Women’s Rights, the women working in the Center as well as the psychologist they connected me with during this period, I wouldn’t have survived, who knows what would have happened.
This study (even though it was based on a small sample) produced the following conclusions and recommendations for further research on this topic:
- Investigate, on a representative sample, the impact of individual restrictive measures on the lives of vulnerable categories of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Pay special attention to the impact of the changed working hours of state institutions and their (in)ability to respond to the needs of citizens, especially vulnerable categories, with an emphasis on health and social care institutions.
- Examine the impact of greater economic dependence on the lives of vulnerable categories.
- Examine the effects of lack of social interaction during the pandemic on the lives of vulnerable categories.
- Examine the percentage increase in domestic violence during the pandemic, with an emphasis on the (im)possibility or difficulty of its manifestation that would cause an adequate reaction of the responsible structures of society.
- Examine the (im)possibilities of health and social protection of persons with disabilities during the pandemic with a special emphasis on children.
- Examine the role of local communities and the non-governmental sector in improving living conditions during the pandemic.
- Examine the role of the use and abuse of the media and social networks on the quality and flow of pandemic-related information with particular reference to intimidation and the spread of panic versus timely and accurate information.
- Examine the role of educational institutions and their (un)successful adaptation to pandemic conditions.
[1] Bihać, Bijeljina, Breza, Derventa, Maglaj, Milići (returnee settlement Nova Kasaba), Mostar, Sarajevo, Srebrenik, Tuzla and Zenica
