Faculty of Economics UNSA: Study "Representation and engagement of women in leadership positions in public companies owned by FBiH"

The Faculty of Economics in Sarajevo, in cooperation with the Government of the Federation of BiH, conducted a study entitled "Representation and engagement of women in leadership positions in public companies owned by the FBiH", funded by the Government of the United Kingdom. The aim of this study is to identify the main barriers faced by women in advancing to high positions.

Women in Bosnia and Herzegovina face numerous challenges and barriers on the path to equality, and this struggle has been present for decades. Although women make up over 50% of the population and 59% of the student population in higher education, the gender gap in unemployment remains resilient to change and women’s activity rates are low. Horizontal segregation in higher education and the labor market is evident, while at the same time higher positions in politics and the business world are largely reserved for men. The "glass ceiling" seems to be too thick to break through.

In addition, in the late 1990s, there was a retraditionalization of gender roles in BH society, and various hybrid patterns of patriarchal values and norms are emerging that hinder women from succeeding in their careers.

The study is designed to include secondary data obtained from the analysis of publicly available information, interviews, focus groups and a survey distributed to managers in POEs in the FBiH. In designing the study, the Gender Analysis Framework (GAF) was used as a structure for organizing information on gender differences in various areas of social life.

The study provides specific recommendations for improving gender diversity in boards, boards and managerial positions in POEs in the FBiH, as well as recommendations for creating a talent pool of qualified women with potential for leadership, which can help overcome gender differences more quickly.