During the discussion, the participants of the round table presented their proposals on the establishment of cooperation and gave concrete examples of where it is possible to achieve cooperation, with a clear position that: VIOLENCE IS NOT ALLOWED, and that no religion approves of any kind of violence
Organized by the Local Democracy Foundation, a round table was held today in Sarajevo on the topic of cooperation between the Safe House and religious communities at the local level with the aim of protecting the rights of survivors of sexual violence in the war, as well as victims of gender-based violence in general. The round table was attended by representatives of the Islamic Community from Sarajevo Canton: Ferid Ganić, Elma Avdić, Asmir Salihović, and Safija Malkić attended the meeting in front of Rijaset of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Elma Softić-Kaunitz and Rahela Džidić attended the round table in front of the Jewish Municipality of Sarajevo, and Stefan Terzić and Ajša Kasumović-Mahmutović in front of the BiH Interreligious Council.
This was an excellent opportunity for the exchange of opinions and experiences of representatives of religious communities in their fight against gender-based violence, as well as preventive action and raising awareness so that violence does not happen at all.
The opening speech was given by Selma Begić, program manager of the Foundation for Local Democracy, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and exchange of experiences between the Foundation and religious communities in Sarajevo Canton. Selma emphasized the connection and long-term cooperation of the Foundation and the Safe House with all institutions in Sarajevo Canton, hoping that the cooperation with religious institutions will not end with the end of the project, but will continue after that.
Mubera Hodžić-Lemeš, manager of the Safe House in Sarajevo, spoke about the fight against gender-based violence, the systemic solution to this problem, the situation on the ground, and the provision of assistance to victims of violence.
Representatives of the Rijaset of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the Majlis of the Islamic Community in the Canton of Sarajevo, said that in 2015 they formed the Department for Marriage and Family both in Sarajevo and in other Bosnia and Herzegovina cities, and that the focus of their activities is the affirmation of family values, but also the prevention of gender-based violence, and that cooperation with the Foundation for Local Democracy and the Safe House is necessary for providing assistance to victims, but also in raising awareness of this issue.
The practice and experience of the Jewish community in Sarajevo Canton say that they have not had cases of gender-based violence reported, but that it is very important to talk about this topic, and that they are ready for any type of cooperation that can prevent violence.
The non-governmental organization Inter-Religious Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina dealt with this issue and published a Manual for religious officials to work with rape victims in the war. They expressed their willingness to contribute to the protection of the rights of victims of violence.
During the discussion, the participants of the round table presented their proposals on establishing cooperation and gave concrete examples of where it is possible to achieve cooperation, with a clear position that: VIOLENCE IS NOT ALLOWED, and that no religion approves of any kind of violence. The round table concluded with an agreement on the imminent signing of a protocol on cooperation between religious communities in Sarajevo Canton and the Foundation for Local Democracy.
