Contracts on Co-financing the Work of Safe Houses were signed today by representatives of all five safe houses currently operating in the territory of FBiH, and the total value of this year's co-financing amounts to 1,000,000 BAM
The Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Policy has signed contracts for co-financing the work of safe houses in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina again this year. The contracts were signed by representatives of all five safe houses currently operating in the territory of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the total value of this year's co-financing is 1,000,000 BAM.
On this occasion, the Federal Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Adnan Delić, emphasized that support for safe houses is more than a financial obligation. He emphasized that this support is the foundation of the social and institutional fight against domestic and gender-based violence.
- Today, we are signing contracts worth one million marks with all five safe houses in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is a continuation of our strong commitment to the fight against domestic and gender-based violence. In the past two years, we have invested 2.5 million BAM in the care of women and children, victims of domestic violence, in these safe houses. This is a continuation of our policy of zero tolerance for violence. It is important to emphasize that we are not just talking about budgets and programs here. We are talking about lives. About women and children who have survived violence, about children who grew up in fear. And we are talking about our responsibility to provide them with safety, shelter and a chance to get out of that cycle of violence. Our task is not only to react when violence occurs, but to preventively and systematically build an environment in which violence is unacceptable, and in which every voice of a woman seeking help is heard, seen and protected – said Minister Delić.
In addition to financial support, Minister Delić also announced the adoption of a rulebook on minimum standards for the operation of safe houses, which the Ministry prepared in cooperation with all five safe houses. The rulebook will soon be sent to the cantons for their opinion, after which its implementation is expected.
Representatives of the safe houses emphasized the importance of consistent institutional support and praised the Ministry's work on improving systemic solutions.
Manager of the Safe House Sarajevo Mubera Hodžić Lemeš also pointed out the growing number of reports of violence, as well as the importance of having a concrete response.
- In the Sarajevo Canton last year, a 30 percent increase in reports of violence was recorded. This is the result of raising awareness, the availability of help and trust in the system. A safe house is safety. And in order for us to be able to provide safety, we must have safety and support to fulfill our function. The message for all women and children who suffer violence is that there is a way out in the Federation of BiH. There is a system. You are not alone – said Hodžić Lemeš.
The Foundation of Local Democracy thanks the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Policy for its continued support for the work of the Safe House in Sarajevo.
