Contributed by: Duska Andric-Ruzicic, Bosnia and Herzegovina National VAW Monitor

The Conference on Combating Violence against Women and Children was a one-day event in Sarajevo held on 30 October 2006. It is organized by the Women’s Association Medica Zenica – Infoteka and UNICEF. Participants of the Conference are professionals from institutions and NGO representatives who were involved in the training program “A Multidisciplinary Approach to Combating Domestic Violence and Other Forms of Violence against Women and Children" in the last seven years (1999-2006), as well as representatives of state and governing institutions.

Around 80 participants were present at the conference. They were from police departments, the social protection sector, the health sector, the judiciary, NGOs and media. NGOs that are also Medica’s partners during the implementation presented achievements and progress in local communities that are the direct or indirect result of capacities gained trough the project “A Multidisciplinary Approach…” (Medica – Zenica; Women BH – Mostar, Women from Una – Bihac; Hope – Prijedor; Pro et Contra – Prijedor; Future – Modrica, Alter Art – Travnik; The Bridge – Visegrad, Women’s Association - Gorazde; AnimaN – Gorazde; Women’s Center – Trebinje).

The conference's main goals included:

1. To be an additional opportunity for participants of “A Multidisciplinary Approach to Combating of Violence” for meeting, experience sharing and networking and to build on common achievements and goals.
2. To promote the publication “A Multidisciplinary Approach to Combating Domestic Violence and Other Forms of Violence against Women and Children 1999-2006" that within 270 pages, brings articles and data on: Program background; Training modules and curriculum (Training for Helpers; Training for Trainers; Training for Policy Advocacy); List of training participants (TH, TOT and TPA); List of trainers; Introduction of partner organizations involved in program; Introduction of program achievements in local communities of implementation (63 municipalities in 9 regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina)
3. To develop Recommendations and a Call for Action Paper that are to be sent to all institutions responsible for any aspect of prevention, combating, legislative and services related to violence against women and children, at local and all state levels.

Source: Medica Zenica, Infoteka department

Additional information on Conference and the educational program “A Multidisciplinary Approach to Combating Domestic Violence and Other Forms of Violence against Women and Children."

 Medica_publication_Intro.doc  
Publication on "A Multidisciplinary Appriach... 199-2006" - intro
 Medica_publication_introduction_UNICEF.doc  
Medica_publication_introduction_UNICEF
 UNICEF_Opening_Speech.doc  
UNICEF_Opening_Speech
 AgendaEng.doc  
Conference Agenda
 Nat_Conf_Recommendations.doc  
Conference Recomendations and Call for Action