Objavljeno: 29. maja 2025. godine

(For English, please see below)

Dana 28. maja 2025. godine, u okviru inicijative „Žene i sigurnost? Prirodno, skroz!“, koju finansira Evropska unija, upriličen je razgovor s Njegovom Ekscelencijom Henkom van den Doolom, ambasadorom Kraljevine Nizozemske u Bosni i Hercegovini (BiH). Centralne teme ovog susreta, održanog u Centru za interdisciplinarne studije prof. dr. Zdravko Grebo Univerziteta u Sarajevu (CIS), bile su uloga žena u sektoru sigurnosti, mehanizmi demokratskog nadzora nad sigurnosnim institucijama te relevantna iskustva Nizozemske koja mogu poslužiti kao konstruktivan orijentir za jačanje rodne ravnopravnosti i institucionalne otpornosti u BiH.

U uvodnim obraćanjima prisutnima su se obratili dr. sc. Denis Hadžović, predsjednik CSS-a, gđa Aurélie Valtat, šefica Odjela za europske integracije, politička pitanja, štampu i informiranje u Delegaciji Evropske unije u BiH, prof. dr. Kemal Durić, prorektor za međunarodnu saradnju Univerziteta u Sarajevu, te prof. dr. Armin Kržalić, voditelj master studija Međunarodna i regionalna sigurnost na CIS-u.

Predsjednik CSS-a, gospodin Hadžović, predstavio je inicijativu „Žene i sigurnost? Prirodno, skroz!“ te ukazao na važnost bolje implementacije UN Rezolucije 1325 „Žene, mir i sigurnost“ u BiH, kao i demokratskog nadzora sektora sigurnosti. Na tragu toga bilo je i izlaganje gđe Aurélie Valtat, koja je naglasila da, iako zakonodavni okvir za rodnu ravnopravnost u zemlji nominalno postoji i prateći akcioni plan je formalno usvojen, izazovi ostaju ukorijenjeni u nedostatku dosljedne i efikasne implementacije. Profesor Durić je istakao da je suština UN Rezolucije 1325 ostvariti mir, pravdu i inkluzivno društvo te da akademska zajednica, kao pokretač svih bitnih procesa u društvu, treba aktivno učestvovati u tome. Na kraju uvodnih obraćanja, učesnicima se obratio profesor Kržalić, domaćin susreta, ukazujući na revolucionarni karakter Rezolucije. Kako je naveo, taj dokument, usvojen prije gotovo 25 godina, osigurava da žene praktično imaju pravo glasa u procesima donošenja odluka, sprečavanja sukoba i izgradnje mira, predstavljajući prekretnicu u poimanju sigurnosti.

Nakon uvodnih obraćanja, uslijedila je sesija u kojoj se razgovaralo s ambasadorom van den Dool, a kojom je moderirao gospodin Benjamin Plevljak, generalni sekretar CSS-a. Ambasador van den Dool predstavio je sigurnosni sektor Kraljevine Nizozemske kao visoko koordiniran i funkcionalno integriran sistem u kojem vojska, obavještajne službe i policija sarađuju u borbi protiv terorizma, cyber kriminala i u zaštiti državnih granica. Posebno je naglasio važnost razmjene informacija i međuinstitucionalne saradnje za očuvanje nacionalne sigurnosti. Govoreći o mehanizmima demokratskog nadzora, ambasador je naveo ključne aktere: parlament, nezavisne revizorske komisije, pravosuđe i ombudsmena. Istakao je da donji dom parlamenta ima široke ovlasti nadzora nad izvršnom vlašću, uključujući sigurnosne politike i međunarodne vojne angažmane. Također je naglasio značaj civilnog društva i medija, koji iako formalno nisu dio nadzornog sistema, svojim djelovanjem i pitanjima osiguravaju transparentnost i odgovornost. Na pitanje o rodnoj ravnopravnosti u nizozemskom sigurnosnom sektoru, ambasador je naveo da žene čine otprilike trećinu od 150.000 zaposlenih, uz velike razlike među institucijama. Dok žene čine 42% policijskog kadra, u vojsci ih je tek oko 10–11%, sa izraženim izazovima u pogledu napredovanja i pristupa specijalnim jedinicama.

Ipak, primjer žene na čelu nacionalne policije ukazuje na pomake koji su rezultat ciljane politike zapošljavanja i unapređenja. U diplomatiji, čak 45% ambasadora su žene, a parlament i pravosuđe bilježe gotovo ravnopravan spolni omjer.

U dijelu razgovora posvećenom iskustvima koja mogu biti korisna za BiH, ambasador je govorio o vrijednosti kvota kao privremenog instrumenta, važnosti obrazovanja i dekonstrukcije patrijarhalnih normi koje i dalje oblikuju percepciju „muških“ i „ženskih“ zanimanja. Posebno je naglasio značaj roditeljskog pristupa i obrazovanja djece, ukazujući da promjene u društvenim normama moraju početi u porodici.

Zaključno, ambasador van den Dool istakao je da istinska rodna ravnopravnost zahtijeva dosljednu implementaciju postojećih zakona, političku volju i promjenu kulture unutar institucija. Pritom je izrazio nadu da će BiH, uz podršku međunarodnih partnera i angažman mladih generacija, ostvariti napredak ka inkluzivnijem i sigurnijem društvu za sve građane.

Podsjećamo, inicijativu „Žene i sigurnost? Prirodno, skroz!“ finansira Europska unija, a implementiraju CSS, kao glavni nosilac, te partnerske organizacije: Udruženje Mreža policijskih službenica (Sarajevo, BiH) i Centar za europske sigurnosne studije (Groningen, Nizozemska).

Ukoliko želite više informacija o našoj inicijativi, ljubazno Vas molimo da nas kontaktirate putem e-maila: info@css.ba ; telefona: +387(0)33262456, a tok njene implementacije možete pratiti putem web stranice: www.css.ba i upotrebom heštegova #CSSBiH #GESOSSBiH na društvenim medijima.

GESOSS BiH – Ambassador van den Dool: Without Implementation, There Is No Real Change

On May 28, 2025, as part of the initiative “Women and Security? Naturally, Completely!”, funded by the European Union, a discussion was held with His Excellency Henk van den Dool, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The central themes of this meeting, held at the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies Prof. Dr. Zdravko Grebo of the University of Sarajevo (CIS), included the role of women in the security sector, mechanisms of democratic oversight of security institutions, and relevant experiences from the Netherlands that can serve as constructive guidance for strengthening gender equality and institutional resilience in BiH.

In the opening remarks, the audience was addressed by Dr. Denis Hadžović, President of CSS; Ms. Aurélie Valtat, Head of the European Integration, Political, Press and Information Section at the Delegation of the European Union to BiH; Prof. Dr. Kemal Durić, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation of the University of Sarajevo; and Prof. Dr. Armin Kržalić, Head of the Master’s Program in International and Regional Security at CIS.

Mr. Hadžović, President of CSS, presented the initiative “Women and Security? Naturally, Completely!” and emphasized the importance of better implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 “Women, Peace and Security” in BiH, as well as the need for democratic oversight of the security sector. In line with this, Ms. Aurélie Valtat pointed out that although the legislative framework for gender equality in the country nominally exists and an accompanying action plan has been formally adopted, challenges remain rooted in the lack of consistent and effective implementation.

Professor Durić emphasized that the essence of Resolution 1325 is to achieve peace, justice, and an inclusive society, and that the academic community – as a driver of all vital societal processes – should actively participate in this mission. Concluding the opening remarks, Professor Kržalić, the host of the event, addressed the participants and underscored the revolutionary nature of the Resolution. He noted that this document, adopted nearly 25 years ago, ensures that women have a real say in decision-making, conflict prevention, and peace building processes, marking a turning point in the understanding of security.

Following the introductory addresses, a session with Ambassador van den Dool was held, moderated by Mr. Benjamin Plevljak, Secretary General of CSS. Ambassador van den Dool presented the security sector of the Kingdom of the Netherlands as a highly coordinated and functionally integrated system in which the military, intelligence services, and police collaborate in combating terrorism, cybercrime, and protecting national borders. He particularly emphasized the importance of information sharing and inter-institutional cooperation for safeguarding national security.

Speaking about democratic oversight mechanisms, the Ambassador identified key actors: the parliament, independent audit bodies, the judiciary, and the ombudsman. He highlighted that the lower house of parliament has broad powers to oversee the executive branch, including security policies and international military engagements. He also underlined the significance of civil society and the media, which, although not formally part of the oversight system, ensure transparency and accountability through their actions and inquiries.

When asked about gender equality in the Dutch security sector, the Ambassador stated that women make up about one-third of the 150,000 employees, with significant variations between institutions. While women account for 42% of police personnel, they represent only about 10–11% of the military, facing notable challenges in terms of advancement and access to special units.

Nevertheless, the example of a woman heading the national police indicates progress achieved through targeted employment and promotion policies. In diplomacy, as many as 45% of ambassadors are women, and the parliament and judiciary show an almost equal gender ratio.

In the part of the discussion dedicated to lessons that could benefit BiH, the Ambassador spoke about the value of quotas as a temporary measure, the importance of education, and the deconstruction of patriarchal norms that still shape perceptions of “male” and “female” professions. He particularly emphasized the importance of parenting and children’s education, stressing that changes in social norms must begin within the family.

In conclusion, Ambassador van den Dool stated that true gender equality requires consistent implementation of existing laws, political will, and cultural change within institutions. He expressed hope that BiH, with the support of international partners and the engagement of younger generations, will make progress toward a more inclusive and secure society for all its citizens.

The initiative “Women and Security? Naturally, Completely!” is funded by the European Union and implemented by CSS as the lead organization, in cooperation with its partner organizations: the „Women’s Police Network“ Association (Sarajevo, BiH), and the Centre for European Security Studies (Groningen, Netherlands).

If you would like more information about our initiative, please feel free to contact us via e-mail at info@css.ba or by phone at +387(0)33 262 456. You can follow the implementation of the initiative through our website: www.css.ba and by using the hashtags #CSSBiH and #GESOSSBiH on social media.