The High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HJPC BiH) has officially been awarded the Silver Gender Equality Seal for public institutions, making it the first institution in Europe and the region to receive this prestigious recognition. This award affirms the HJPC BiH's leadership in promoting gender equality and empowering women within the judicial sector.

The award ceremony was held at the United Nations building in Sarajevo, attended by key partners, including the Deputy Director of the HJPC Secretariat, Hajro Pošković; Senior Advisor from the Agency for Gender Equality, Joško Mandić; UNDP Resident Representative in BiH, Renaud Meyer; and other representatives of UNDP's regional gender equality team.

“The Gender Equality Seal initiative is a transformative tool for public administration, designed to support and recognize institutions committed to advancing gender equality and empowering women. This program contributes to creating a new generation of gender-responsive public policies and strengthening institutional capacities to reduce discriminatory norms,” said Renaud Meyer.

Over the past two years, the HJPC BiH has actively worked on strengthening its internal capacities to integrate gender equality, meeting 30 out of 40 program success indicators, including all mandatory criteria for receiving the Silver Seal.

“This recognition is not only a success for the HJPC but also a significant step for Bosnia and Herzegovina toward joining the European Union, where gender equality is a fundamental principle,” emphasized Mandić.

“The HJPC BiH will continue implementing activities that enhance mechanisms for gender equality and women's empowerment in the workplace, ensuring continuity of the achievements made under the Gender Equality Seal program,” stated Pošković.

The Silver Seal is a testament to the HJPC BiH's exceptional commitment and dedicated efforts to advance gender equality, setting new standards for public institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region. It is hoped that this success will inspire other institutions to follow suit.