The “Women Citizens for the Constitutional Reform”, which was launched in 2013 by women’s organizations, organizations of the civil society organizations, informal groups, individuals/women individuals with the aim of advocating the changes of the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina from a gender perspective now has 29 member/women members.
In the last month initiative has received three new members/women members.
One of them is Mrijana Trifković, an activist and a graduate of the Law Faculty of the University of East Sarajevo.
Mirjana is working as an activist in the field of human rights, dealing with the past and educating young people about gender equality and equality of men, women and persons of different gender identities in the social and political life.
How did you hear about the Initiative and what are the reasons of your accession to the same?
Since I am interested in themes of gender equality in political life I have been researching which organizations in BiH is dealing with this subject, and I found the Initiative “Women Citizens for Constitutional Reform”. I think that the Initiative is a good idea of organizations and activists/ women activists that are together involved because only through joint action may be realized the aim of the Initiative. Women make up about 52% of the population, but even though we are demographic majority, in political terms we are a minority and it is time to change it, so this is one of the reasons for my approach to the Initiative.
Do you have some previous experience of working in these fields?
I have no direct experience of working in this field, but I have long dealt with the education of young people about these issues and I came to the conclusion that in our society is still in force traditionalist society’s attitude towards women’s participation in public and political life.
How do you see the position of women in the processes of changes/amendment to the Constitution? How much is equality and visibility of “women’s issues” in the Constitution important for you?
The women in the processes of change/amendment to the Constitution must be more present, because it is obvious that all the processes that occur are managed by men. It should allow more women to participate in these processes. In developed democracies, the number of crimes of domestic violence and general criminality is lower if a larger number of women are in legislative and executive authorities. In countries in transition, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, gender equality is found only in trace amounts, so it is essential greater visibility of “women’s issues” in the Constitution.
Do you think that women, given the current position of politicians in BH society, can make some progress in changing the highest law in the country?
The situation in the society itself says that there are little and not enough women in bh. politics. Due to this fact, I believe that we should include as many women in politics to make certain improvements in the change of the Constitution.
What do you think of the document Platform with Gender Amendments arising from the Initiative?
I think that the document is a good analysis of women’s priorities for constitutional changes and there is need to work more on the approximation of the Constitution to ordinary citizens to become familiar with their basic rights, as well as with the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina because all matters that are solving are process in our society.
What would be your message to women who are outside the political process and in the position where they make important policy decisions?
My message is that women should be more involved in these processes, because women will have to fight to pave the way so that part of amendments that are constitute through the Initiative came in the Constitution.
Interview by Vildana Dzekman
Women Citizens for Constitutional Reform 