Women's participation in political processes

Despite representing over 51 per cent of the population (2013 Census), women in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) remain significantly under-represented in politics and public life. While the legal framework provides for gender equality - including a 40 per cent gender quota in electoral lists - the gap between policy and practice persists.

The Law on Gender Equality in BiH defines equal representation as a minimum of 40 per cent for each gender in all levels of public and political decision-making, including in political parties. Similarly, the BiH Election Law mandates that party candidate lists must include at least 40 per cent women. However, these requirements have not translated into parity in representation, particularly in executive and legislative bodies, where women remain vastly outnumbered.

Recent international standards call for a shift from minimum quotas to full parity. General Recommendation No. 40 of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) emphasizes that true equality in public life requires the equal and inclusive representation of women in all decision-making systems - not just token participation. The recommendation underlines that parity is a necessary condition for democracy, legitimacy, and effective governance.

In line with these standards, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission) plays a key role in addressing disparities by supporting systemic change, working directly with political parties, institutional mechanisms, and civil society to promote the meaningful and effective participation of women in politics and public life.