Bratunac Municipal Assembly adopted the Action Plan for the Prevention of Domestic Violence for the period 2026–2031, sending a clear message that the fight against domestic violence is becoming one of the priorities of the local community.
The adoption of this document is the result of months of work and advocacy led, with the support of the PRAGG project, by the Women’s Association “Priroda” together with the Women’s Association “Maja Kravica” and the Association “ART”. Representatives of the Centre for Social Work, Bratunac Police Station, Health Centre, educational and preschool institutions, local government, and the Gender Equality Commission of the Bratunac Municipal Assembly also participated in the development of the Action Plan.
“The moment the plan was adopted, I felt wonderful. It showed that everything we had done was valued and, in fact, demonstrated the responsibility of local institutions. This plan is aligned with gender action plans at the level of Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and its adoption alone confirms its quality,” said Željana Pjevalica, President of the Women’s Association “Priroda”.
She added that the plan was unanimously supported by all 18 councillors present.
From a Joint Initiative to the Adoption of the Plan
Pjevalica explained that the development of this document was a demanding and extensive process that included numerous working group meetings, coordination, and continuous communication among all involved stakeholders. However, the entire process was marked by a high level of support, primarily from the Gender Equality Commission of the Bratunac Municipal Assembly, as well as from other relevant institutions and organizations.
“In that regard, we can thank everyone for the excellent cooperation we have had during the previous period,” said Pjevalica.
Implementation and Concrete Activities Ahead
According to her, however, the adoption of the document does not mark the end of the work, but rather its beginning. In the coming period, a series of activities will be organized with key stakeholders to ensure that the plan is implemented in practice and delivers concrete results.
“We plan to organize several conferences where we will present the plan, its goals, and the activities we intend to implement. Our objective is to promote the plan, but also to inform all relevant stakeholders who will play an important role in its implementation, so that they can better understand the proposed measures and the essence of this document,” Pjevalica stated.
The overall objective of the Action Plan is to improve prevention and strengthen the multisectoral response to domestic violence in the Bratunac area. The measures are grouped into three key areas: 1) improving prevention through information sharing, education, and awareness raising; 2) strengthening the system of protection, assistance, and support for victims; and 3) improving the system for prosecuting perpetrators of violence. Financing for part of the planned activities is foreseen through the local budget, alongside project and donor funding, contributing to cooperation between governmental and non-governmental sectors.
The need for this type of systematic action is also reflected in available statistics. According to data from Bratunac Police Station, 21 cases of domestic violence were reported in 2025, compared to 17 cases the previous year. This is precisely why the adoption of the Action Plan represents an important step toward better coordination among institutions, stronger prevention efforts, and more effective support for people experiencing violence.
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