Strengthening Bosnia and Herzegovina's responses to digital and sexual violence against women
At a glance
This project aims to strengthen the legal and policy frameworks in Bosnia and Herzegovina that address violence against women, with particular attention to sexual violence and technology-facilitated violence.
The overall goal is to ensure that victims are able to exercise their rights effectively, both in law and in practice, in line with Council of Europe standards. These standards include the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention) and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights.
Working in close cooperation with institutional partners, the project will continue to support authorities at all levels in Bosnia and Herzegovina, first-line professionals such as law enforcement officials, prosecutors and judges, and women’s rights organisations. It will do so through two complementary strands of work:
- supporting the further alignment of national laws and policies with Council of Europe standards, including the requirements of the Istanbul Convention; and
- raising awareness and strengthening the capacity of authorities and professionals at all levels to prevent and respond to violence against women, with a particular focus on sexual violence and violence committed through digital and online technologies.
Funding
This project is implemented under the Council of Europe Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2026-2029 and funded through voluntary contributions.
Duration
01 January 2026 - 31 December 2027
What is the budget of the action?
The total budget of the action is 950 000 EUR.
- Analysis of cases of technology-facilitated violence against women in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Collecting data on technology-facilitated violence against women: Challenges and ways forward
- Gap analysis of BiH’s legal, policy and institutional framework in regard to the definition of sexual violence and the digital dimension of violence against women in line with the CoE Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence
- Good practice Guidelines for the investigation and prosecution of sexual violence offences based on the lack of consent of the victim
- Emerging practices in the investigation and prosecution of digital violence against women
- Approaches taken in states parties to the Istanbul Convention on the criminalization and prosecution of sexual violence, including rape (Focus section from the 4th General Report on GREVIO activities)
- Promoting gender equality and combating gender-based violence and stereotypes as means of combating trafficking in human beings
- GREVIO General Recommendation No. 1 on the digital dimension of violence against women
The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention)
Istanbul Convention page
Text of the Convention
Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO)
About GREVIO
General Recommendation No.1 on the digital dimension of violence against women
Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo
Maja GRUJIĆ
Senior Project Officer
Vildana SARAČEVIĆ
Project Assistant
Council of Europe
Gender Equality Division
