Bit Alliance awarded for its contribution to the Action Coalition for Technology and Innovation

08.03.2024.

On the eve of International Women's Day, a central event was held in Sarajevo yesterday within the framework of the UN Women global initiative "Generation for Equality", a platform for joint work on the promotion of gender equality. By bringing together key actors from various sectors, including government institutions, the private sector, the international community, UN agencies, non-governmental organizations and young activists, the achievement of gender equality in BiH society was discussed.

With the moderation of Adnan Rondić and Minela Jašar-Opardi, the topics covered by the event, which gathered more than a hundred participants, included bodily autonomy, sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, economic justice, environmental protection and technological innovations.

"We all have a common goal, which is to provide women and girls with a life without violence, equal access to economic resources, access to health services, as well as gender-just climate actions. We are determined to harmonize laws and policies with international standards, advance programs and improve services in the areas of prevention and protection from violence, access to economic resources, health care and environmental protection. I would like to point out that the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of BiH is one of the responsible actors within this international initiative, as part of the Action Coalition against of gender-based violence, which aims to suppress and prevent all forms of violence against women", said the Minister of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sevlid Hurtić.

"We celebrate the responsible actors who have engaged themselves to make positive changes when it comes to ensuring progress in the field of gender equality. According to UN Women data, it will take more than 300 years and 360 billion dollars globally to close the gender equality gap. There is no better time than now to take advantage of the progress made so far, fulfill the obligations assumed and continue with policy-making, advocacy and financial investment in gender equality," said Jo-Anne Bishop, representative of UN Women in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This event was graced by the presence of Elvedina Muzaferija, a prominent BiH alpine skier, who recently achieved BiH's best success in alpine skiing, and joined the "Generation for Equality" campaign. "As a daughter, sister, wife and top athlete, I feel the responsibility to provide full support and contribute to the 'Generation for Equality' campaign. Each of these roles made me aware of how important it is to live in a world where we are all equal and how difficult it is to face equality in different aspects of society. I believe that together we can create positive changes in society. It is important to fight for a world of equal opportunities and opportunities, because each of us can contribute to creating a better and safer future for all women and girls." said Elvedina.

After the address of François Delmas, Ambassador of France to Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the panel entitled "Partnerships of multiple actors for the improvement of gender equality", the participants were Samra Filipović-Hadžiabdić, director of the Agency for Gender Equality of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Adnan Delić, Federal Minister of Labor and Social Policy; Kristina Erak, operations manager at Bit Alliance, and young activist Sajra Kustura. "Generation for equality" was joined by Amra and Edin Džeko, who shared their support via video message.

Bit Alliance is committed to achieving positive changes through its programs and advocacy to achieve gender equality within the IT sector among its members, including the implementation of these principles in the company's internal procedures. It also supports the integration of gender equality in various sectors, initiates campaigns that promote gender equality and social equality, and provides support for initiatives and advocacy campaigns of the Ministry of Transport and Communications in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The final part of the program included the awarding of recognition to 23 responsible actors who committed themselves to implementing activities with the aim of achieving gender equality in BiH. Among them are ministries, various government institutions, companies, and educational institutions, which, among other things, have committed themselves to the promotion of women's employment, the integration of the gender perspective into various laws and policies, as well as advocacy aimed at preventing gender-based violence.

In front of Bit Alliance, the operational manager of Bit Alliance received recognition for her contribution to the Action Coalition for Technology and Innovation, and the same was presented to her by the Ambassador of France to Bosnia and Herzegovina, François Delmas.

Drawing attention to the importance of fulfilling concrete obligations in the field of women's rights, and on the occasion of International Women's Day, this event provided a platform for consideration of a wide range of initiatives and strategies aimed at improving the position of women and girls in BiH, laying solid foundations for future activities and partnerships.