Employed women in Bosnia and Herzegovina face numerous forms of discrimination and harassment in the workplace. According to available research, women are more exposed to discrimination in the hiring process, often being asked not to plan for childbirth. They are also paid less for their work and face greater obstacles in career advancement. Additionally, sexual violence and psychological harassment at work have become common issues, while lengthy and complex procedures for proving these violations discourage women from reporting incidents.

Legal Framework in BiH: Existing Solutions and Gaps

Although the Law on Protection from Workplace Harassment was adopted in Republika Srpska (RS) in 2021, many female employees still do not report harassment—either due to fear of employer retaliation, lack of trust in competent institutions, unawareness of their rights, or simply because they are unfamiliar with the law itself. This highlights the fact that the law has neither been effectively communicated to the public nor properly enforced.

According to the analysis "The Most Common Forms of Harassment Against Women in the Labor Market in BiH" from January 2025, among surveyed women in RS who did report workplace harassment, 56% failed to resolve their cases even after submitting them to relevant institutions. Respondents described their experiences:

"I was fired after reporting the incident."

"You get fired if you speak up."

"I don't believe in protection at work, especially when harassment comes from management. The victim is usually blamed, which is an additional form of psychological abuse and an attack on dignity."

In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), on the other hand, no law currently protects women from workplace harassment. The same analysis found that 72% of surveyed women in FBiH experience some form of harassment at work. This highlights the urgent need for a legal framework that ensures adequate protection against workplace discrimination and enables women to report violence or harassment without fear of consequences.

Campaign: "Protection of Women from Workplace Harassment in BiH"

Recognizing the severity of this issue, the "Stop Mobbing" Association from Trebinje, in collaboration with the Center for Civil Society Development from Doboj, the "Ruka Ruci" Association from Bihać, and the "Radio Klub" Association from Gračanica, with a PRAGG project support has launched a campaign titled "Protection of Women from Workplace Harassment in BiH."

The campaign aims to reduce workplace harassment and discrimination against women by advocating for proper enforcement of the existing law in RS and initiating the adoption of a Law on Protection from Workplace Harassment in FBiH.

Unfortunately, in RS—where a law against workplace harassment does exist—59% of women still do not know whom to contact in case of harassment at work. In FBiH, 36% of surveyed women are also unaware of where to seek help.

The analysis further indicates that, due to BiH’s complex governance structure and judicial system, those who wish to report workplace harassment often do not know whom to turn to or which institution is responsible—especially in cases of sexual harassment, the most severe form of workplace abuse.

Call to Action

Given the high percentage of women in FBiH experiencing workplace harassment and the lack of legal protections for them, the campaign has launched a petition for the adoption of a Law on Protection from Workplace Harassment in FBiH. All citizens can sign the petition at link.

Additionally, a separate petition calls on the executive authorities in RS to ensure full implementation of the existing law on workplace harassment. Citizens can support this initiative by signing the petition at link.

The "Stop Mobbing" Association urges employers and managers to recognize the seriousness of this issue and its impact on employee productivity. The average person spends a third of their life at work. Therefore, ensuring a safe and supportive work environment is crucial, as it benefits both employees and business success.

The "Stop Mobbing" Association remains available to all women experiencing workplace harassment and provides free legal assistance to help them protect their rights and access the proper legal mechanisms to combat harassment.