Today, during the session of the House of Peoples of the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the initiative for birth companionship was discussed. This initiative is the result of years of work and persistent advocacy by the association “Baby Steps” for the rights of pregnant women and new mothers. It stems from extensive conversations with women, professionals, hospitals, and institutions. This initiative did not emerge overnight, nor was it launched just to “open a topic” — it was initiated to finally close a long-standing issue: the establishment of birth companionship as a minimum standard of dignified care.

The conclusion adopted today mandates the Government and the competent ministry to, within the shortest possible time and no later than 90 days, analyze the current situation and legal framework and propose regulations that would allow birth companionship. At first glance, this might seem like a step forward. But for those who understand the context, it’s clear that we are actually taking several steps back.

We support all forms of dialogue and the search for solutions. However, we are witnessing that conclusions and new analyses unfortunately do not bring real change unless they are followed by concrete and binding decisions. We already have analyses — not only from fieldwork and everyday communication with women, but also through official documents, including formal recommendations from the Federal Ministry of Health, in which we actively participated. There is also an official opinion from the FBiH Government supporting the right to birth companionship. And yet, none of this has led to actual, systemic change. Women are still giving birth alone.

That is why we cannot accept yet another bureaucratic cycle. We demand a decision, not another recommendation. We demand implementation, not further delay. Because the right to a dignified birth must not be the subject of endless analyses or the constant shifting of responsibility from one institution to another.

Will we once again ask pregnant women to wait? Another 90 days for a new analysis to be completed? Then wait for a draft regulation, public consultations, and eventual adoption? How many more sets of “90 days” must pass before every woman in this country receives what rightfully belongs to her — the right to safety, support, and dignity?

We don’t need another form of “support” in the shape of a non-binding conclusion.

We need a decision that changes something.

We need obligation — not recommendation.

We need solutions — not new deadlines.

For the woman who is pregnant today, 90 days is too long.

For the woman giving birth tomorrow — each day without a companion is one more day lived in fear and injustice.

That’s why we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that every woman has the right to birth companionship — without conditions, without excuses, and without delay.

Because the right to a dignified birth is not a privilege — it is a fundamental human right.