SARAJEVO: NETWORK OF WOMEN DIPLOMATES IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA INAUGURATED IN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS BIH

SARAJEVO, FEBRUARY 27 (ONASA) – On February 26, 2024, the Network of Women Diplomats in Bosnia and Herzegovina was inaugurated at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH, in the presence of more than 60 female diplomats.
In his welcome address, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH, Elmedin Konaković, supported this meeting and announced the appointment of a coordinator for this area in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH.
The head of the Department for Equality in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Spain and former ambassador to Jordan Aránzazu Bañón Davalos spoke about the promotion of women in diplomacy. On that occasion, Ambassador Banon explained that her role is to ensure that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Spain implements the Government’s gender equality strategy.
She added that special attention is paid to the affirmation of the diplomatic profession in order to get as many women as possible interested in a diplomatic career, advocating the appointment of female ambassadors and the appointment of women to high positions in public administration, and working to build a better balance between business and private life.
The former ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jasmina Pašalić, spoke about the importance of networking of women diplomats and the exchange of experiences, who cited several experiential and practical examples of the advantages of this type of networking for the promotion of a country.
The Head of the Section for European Integration, Political and Economic Affairs of the Delegation of the European Union and the Office of the Special Representative of the European Union (EUSR), Aurelie Valtat, and the Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Republic of Croatia, Elma Kovačević-Bajtal, emphasized in their addresses the importance of networking among women diplomats, all with the aim of mutual support, promotion of mentorship and diplomatic profession among women.
The meeting also announced the organization of a panel discussion on the topic What can women contribute to foreign policy and diplomacy?, which will be held on March 5, 2024 at the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Sarajevo.
By establishing this network, called WEDIN BH, Bosnia and Herzegovina joins numerous European countries that have established women’s diplomatic networks.