WOMEN JUDGES IMPROVE GENDER EQUALITY IN BIH JUDICIARY, Cantonal Court in Bihać, 12 June 2015

Under the project "Women judges improve gender equality in BiH judiciary”, the Association of Women Judges in BiH held a meeting at the Cantonal Court in Bihać on 12.06.2015, attended by judges of the Basic Court in Banja Luka, Municipal Court in Bihać, Cantonal Court in Bihać, Municipal Court in Bosanska Krupa, Municipal Court in Velika Kladuša and Cantonal Court in Sarajevo. The project was supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway in BiH, organized by the Association of Women Judges in BiH.

The event was moderated by Nives Ćetojević, judge of the Basic Court in Banja Luka.
President of the Cantonal Court in Bihać, Fata Nadarević welcomed the audience and expressed her support for the Association, emphasizing the extreme importance of spreading and increasing the knowledge about gender influence in the judiciary among colleagues in the wider judicial community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, because this was the way to help holders of judicial offices recognize gender inequalities in the judiciary, which is certainly one of the objectives of the Association of Women Judges in BiH.

Following the introductory remarks, judge of the Cantonal Court in Sarajevo, Rada Bjeljac spoke about the importance of association and about the meaning of strength of professional associations in BH judiciary. On this occasion, she emphasized that the Association of Women Judges in BiH was a professional association, active in the whole country, and that it was currently the only professional organization that deals with gender issues in BH judiciary. She also informed the audience about the project "Women judges improve gender equality in BiH", which is implemented in partnership with the Atlantic Initiative and supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway in BiH. Judge Rada Bjeljac said that one of the project objectives was to strengthen the capacity and membership cohesion, as well as visibility of the Association in BiH, which is achieved by providing new knowledge and starting discussions with the Association members by increasing members’ engagement and the Association’s ability to continue identifying critical areas in the judicial reform in their current and future activities, which leads to increased participation of the judiciary in efforts aimed at improving legal practice and legislation. Judge Rada Bjeljac also mentioned two quotes that emphasize the meaning of association, first one by Audre Lorde: "It is not difference that immobilizes us, but silence. And there are many silences to be broken”, and the second one by Jasminka Babić-Avdispahić: "Condition for our communication is to recognize the difference and asymmetry, and to be ready to learn about other’s position by listening to them. Understanding at a distance means to learn new things and to be open for listening.”

Judge Nives Ćetojević presented the topic of judicial ethics, appointment and advancement of judges, emphasized new methodology adopted by the HJPC for appointment of judges: 80% points from the qualifying test and 20% points from an interview for first-time applicants, and for career advancement of judges: 80% is calculated based on quota and performance quality, and 20% based on the interview. She reminded of the main principles set by the Code of Judicial Ethics and briefly explained them.
Judge of the Basic Court in Banja Luka, Melika Gigović presented the publication: ‘’Judicial Benchbook: Considerations of Domestic Violence Cases in BiH'', reflecting on the imposition of protective measures in the RS. She also offered some practical examples.

After the formal meeting, participants continued socializing over lunch. Lunch was an opportunity to continue exchanging experiences and opinions in a relaxed atmosphere, which reconfirmed the importance judges’ organization, as it contributes to provision of new knowledge and increases chances for participation of the judiciary in the efforts aimed to improve legal practice and legislation.