Bosnia and Herzegovina joins the new International Coalition to End Violence Against Women and Girls, alongside the UK

Today at the Global Partnerships Conference in London, Bosnia and Herzegovina joined the new International Coalition to tackle the global emergency of violence against women and girls.

The new coalition brings together eight countries (UK, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, Morocco, Spain, and Jamaica) to work together to prevent violence so that women and girls can live free from fear, no matter who or where they are. Member states will drive practical action to prevent domestic abuse and sexual violence, which affect one in every three women globally, as well as tackling the rise of online abuse.

As the world faces increasing instability, the International Coalition will also look to strengthen global efforts to prevent sexual violence in conflict and other forms of violence in humanitarian crises.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is making progress in combating domestic violence, but tragic cases of femicide show that more needs to be done to prevent violence against women and girls. These activities, in addition to assisting survivors, should also ensure the effective prosecution of perpetrators. In addition, online violence against women and girls in BiH poses a major challenge given the lack of capacity to effectively prevent and prosecute these acts. BiH is working to strengthen these capacities, especially when it comes to investigation and prosecution.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konaković, attended the Global Partnerships Conference in London and expressed gratitude to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper for launching this important initiative, as well as for inviting Bosnia and Herzegovina to be part of the Core Group of countries within the International Coalition to End Violence against Women and Girls.

"Bosnia and Herzegovina fully supports and endorses the high-level principles of the Coalition. The fight against violence against women and girls must be based on a balanced approach that connects institutional reforms, societal change, and adequate support, rather than focusing on only one segment. This initiative mobilises resources and states to ensure tangible progress in protecting women from all forms of gender-based violence, and to systematically address its root causes, consequences, and prevention measures at the global level," Minister Konaković emphasised.

Next year, the UK will convene a major summit on tackling violence against women and girls where countries can set out further commitments and report on progress.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, said:

"Violence against women and girls is a global emergency not just a national emergency. We are determined to work across borders to ensure women's safety is a worldwide priority. I visited the Sudanese border in February, and I heard girls speak of rape, abduction and abhorrent sexual violence. I will make sure their voices are heard and fight to end violence for every single one of them - and for the 1 in 3 women globally who will experience sexual or physical abuse in their lifetime.I'm delighted to launch this Coalition with countries around the world that share our ambition. Because from the UK, to Brazil, to South Africa and beyond, women deserve to live free from fear of violence. And because there can be no peace, security, or prosperity for any of us until they do."

Through the Coalition, countries will share expertise in tackling the issue and develop national action plans to scale up work to prevent violence, protect women and girls, and hold perpetrators to account.