The Islamic Community Hosts a Reception for Women in Diplomacy

The lecture opened space for further discussion on the importance of empowering women in society, particularly in the context of diplomacy and international relations.

• "Within the Directorate for Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, we have a department dedicated to international cooperation and the Bosniak diaspora. As part of that, we felt it was important to bring together female ambassadors and women in diplomacy before Ramadan to discuss our Community and its work. The existing Women in Diplomacy Network in BiH expressed a desire to hear a female perspective on women in Islam in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as their role in our religious community and social cohesion. In my lecture, I aimed to present not only the historical role of the Islamic Community but also the challenges Bosnian Muslims have faced and how the Islamic Community, in line with its constitutional obligations, responds to contemporary challenges, including the role of women in Islam and in the Islamic Community," said Dr. Garić.

Ambassador Justine Coulson, UNFPA Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlighted that UNFPA, as an international organization, focuses on gender equality worldwide.

• "Women are disproportionately burdened with unpaid work, whether at home or in other responsibilities. We are here to examine this issue from different perspectives. This event is very important as it allows us to hear from religious communities about their views on women. Women are, of course, proud members of their communities, but they also face struggles and need support," said Coulson.

Aida Hodžić, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Sector for Multilateral Relations, emphasized that the goal of the Women in Diplomacy Network is to strengthen the position of women in various roles they hold in life.

• "We initiated these discussions in February last year when we launched the Women in Diplomacy Network. This network includes both foreign and domestic female diplomats. We are looking at ways to empower women in their roles and ensure they receive the recognition they deserve. I believe what we are doing is very successful, as demonstrated by today's turnout," stated Hodžić.

She described the gathering as positive and successful.

• "There are often different concepts and perceptions of the role of women in Islam, especially in some other countries. Our goal was to create a space for cultural dialogue here as well. It became clear that women from different cultures and religions face similar, if not identical, challenges. We discussed ways to collaborate and how women can remain true to themselves while advancing in their careers," added Hodžić.

A Q&A session followed, enabling an interactive exchange of opinions among participants. The discussion focused on the role of women in diplomacy, the challenges they encounter in their professional careers, and ways to enhance their engagement in international relations.

The purpose of this reception was to strengthen relations and cooperation with women in international organizations and diplomatic missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as to promote the Islamic Community in BiH as an active partner in dialogue, multilateral cooperation, and trust-building among various actors on the global political stage.

Additionally, the event served as a platform to highlight the significance of female engagement in diplomacy and international processes, particularly their contribution to maintaining peace, stability, and social cohesion.

The organizers expressed gratitude to all attendees and announced plans to continue such initiatives aimed at further strengthening the role of women in diplomacy and promoting the values of peace and mutual respect on a global level.