16 Days of Activism: How to Address Gender-Based Violence in the Western Balkans

Xiaoqing Yu is the World Bank Country Director for the Western Balkans. This opinion piece was originally published in Bosnian by Impulsportal.net, in Albanian by Panorama.com.al, and in Montenegrin by Vijesti.me.

I am deeply troubled by recent headlines from the Western Balkans that reveal alarming statistics about the prevalence of domestic abuse and violence against women. Through this piece, I am joining the millions around the world who are observing the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and advocating for this critical cause.

Gender-based violence is a pervasive issue that transcends borders, affecting every region globally. On average, a woman loses her life to gender-based violence every 10 minutes, and the trend has worsened in recent years. While the Western Balkan does not exceed global averages, it still faces significant challenges. The situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive improvements, as gender-based violence is not only a human rights issue but also a major barrier to development.

In the Western Balkans, gender-based violence hinders education, employment, and leadership opportunities. According to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), in Bosnia and Herzegovina, nearly half of women have experienced abuse, yet a staggering 84 percent of these cases go unreported. To put this into perspective, the country's three active SOS lines received 5,000 calls in the first nine months of this year alone - about one call every 20 minutes.

In Kosovo, studies showed that almost a third of adult women have faced sexual harassment, and nearly half view domestic violence as a private issue to be resolved within the family. In Albania, two-thirds of women and girls have experienced dating violence, with one-third facing sexual harassment. Tragically, femicide is prevalent in the Western Balkans, where one in two women killed is a victim of her husband or partner.

Pathways to Address Gender-Based Violence

It is encouraging to see increasing recognition and discussion of gender-based violence. In March 2023, civil society organizations across Western Balkan countries united to take action, beginning to monitor femicide and gender-based violence court cases. Serbia, Albania, and Montenegro launched an interactive map documenting femicides since 2020, raising awareness and sparking essential discussions.

Beyond civil society efforts, policy changes are essential to advance gender equality and combat gender-based violence in the region.

First, there is an urgent need to strengthen prevention efforts. Evidence suggests that initiatives like parenting programs-designed to promote children's social and emotional development-and targeted public awareness campaigns can significantly empower women and challenge harmful gender norms. These initiatives help improve gender relations, address entrenched inequalities, and equip families with conflict resolution and non-violent communication skills.

Second, an effective response to gender-based violence must center on the needs of survivors and be integrated across key sectors. The health sector should provide safe environments for survivors to access medical care and psychological support. The education sector can facilitate early intervention through preschool and school-based programs that address dating violence and implement curriculum changes aimed at challenging harmful gender norms. Additionally, infrastructure improvements, such as safer public transportation, can also reduce risks and enhance mobility for women and girls.

Third, strengthening information management systems through digitization can improve coordination among service providers, track cases to prevent recurrence, and utilize data analytics to inform policies and prevention strategies.

At the World Bank, we are committed to accelerating gender equality by addressing the structural barriers that perpetuate gender-based violence. We promote inclusive economic opportunities and foster human capital development to drive sustainable growth and reduce poverty. In the Western Balkans, we actively support efforts to combat gender-based violence-from training health personnel in Kosovo to promoting property registration for women in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. Our goal is to create an environment where women and girls can thrive, contributing to resilient and inclusive societies.

Learn more about the World Bank's global efforts to combat GBV and advance gender equality.