Women’s Network of BiH Called the Citizens to Vote for Women in Local Elections

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The Women's Network of Bosnia and Herzegovina called on the citizens to vote for women in the Local Elections next Sunday, October 7, 2012.

„Having in mind the low representation and invisibility of women in governing and decision-making structure on all levels in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we believe that it is the highest time for citizens to support the women candidates running for office, because they have the knowledge, ability, experience, determination and responsibility to dedicate themselves to the efforts to find solutions for everyday problems facing the citizens in the local communities in BiH“, says the Women's Network of BiH in their call to the citizens.

The Women's Network of BiH states that, although the women represent the majority in the BiH electorate, the percentage of women in local administration offices and positions dropped from 17.4% in 2004 to 14.9% after the Local Elections 2008.

„The Law on Equality of Sexes in BiH states that equality is legally achieved when one of the sexes makes up at least 40% of all governing and adminitrative bodies on all levels of government, and the Electoral Code prescribes that women have to make one third of all candidates in the lists. The synchronisation of the provisions of the two laws remains an issue, but the real and more worrying question is why does the percentage of women in local administrations falls with every election?“, the Women's Network says.

The organisations involved in the Women's Network of BiH and the campaigns 101 Reason Why Vote Women, Vote for Women and Her Elections, call the citizens of BiH to remember all campaign promises made by elected officials whose terms in office end now, to take into account the promises made by candidates running in the coming Local Elections, and to vote for those who offered the best solutions.