Once again, FIET brings together women trade unionists from Bosnia and Herzegovina

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"Important to keep contact"

Women trade unionists step up activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina - joint course was held in Zenica

The tense political situation in the Balkans has not stopped the activities of the FIET trade union solidarity projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Training courses and meetings continue to be held and the trade unions go about with their everyday work. Most recently, thirty women from all parts and both entities of the country met in Zenica.

The women trade unionists are particularly active, both in the finance and commerce unions. In December last year, a major conference in Sarajevo brought together women from both entities, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Serb Republic, to discuss and plan their work.

After the December Conference, many smaller meetings and courses have been held locally. The women's network has developed further through regular contacts between different parts of the country. Finally, the women trade unionists felt that it was time to meet again.

The Zenica women's seminar was held in the beginning of May, with thirty participants from Sarajevo, Mostar, Zenica, Zavidovici, Banja Luka, Prijedor and Laktasi. Through this seminar, the women wanted to strengthen their network, which they had created under very complicated circumstances.

Mersiha Besirovic, the deputy project director, was in charge of the seminar. She also introduced the main discussion theme, how women can use emotional intelligence to seek a successful life.

The women were enthusiastic about the seminar. Both the lectures and discussions and especially the chance to be together again was a great success. In this difficult time, when the political atmosphere in the region is so tense, the seminar gave an opportunity to the women to follow up on their important decision from December. This decision was to form a joint women´s association in commerce and finance for the whole of Bosnia and Herzegowina, overcoming national barriers, and to fight together for a stronger position for women in the society.

All participants once again agreed that it is important now to keep in touch and to meet regularly. "It would be more than wonderful if we could meet on both sides more often. All of us would welcome such an initiative.", said Koviljka Filipovic, member of the Coordination Committee of Finance TU BiH and one of the first women in that new movement. Koviljka is also president of the Finance Trade Union in the Serb Republic.