TPO Foundation supported by UNIFEM is preparing and organising training for NGO representatives on: Modification of the social and cultural patterns of conduct of men and women in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The training aims to:
- contribute to implementation of article 5 of the CEDAW convention
- contribute to implementation of Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.



CEDAW Committee adopted in 1994. General Recommendation 21 on Women equality with men in marriage and family relations. Article 15 stipulates: While most countries report that national constitutions and laws comply with the Convention, custom, tradition and failure to enforce these laws in reality contravene the Convention.

UN General assembly in 2004, adopted Resolution A/RES/59/43 on Promotion of religious and cultural understanding, harmony and cooperation in which Encourages Governments to promote, including through education, understanding, tolerance and friendship among human beings in all their diversity of religion, belief, culture and language, which will address the cultural, social, economic, political and religious sources of intolerance, and to apply a gender perspective while doing so, in order to promote understanding, tolerance, peace and friendly relations among nations and all racial and religious groups, recognizing that education at all levels is one of the principal means to build a culture of peace.

At the Training-Seminar opening,  representatives of UNIFEM, Gender Center FBiH and TPO Foundation made a welcoming speech.

We strongly believe that is important to start with education and training of NGOs representatives on human rights and gender equity and equality that relate to culture and Islamic and Christian religious traditions, in order to better cope with both visible and delicate forms of discrimination and more efficiently use men and women capacities in peace- building.
Therefore TPO Foundation established cooperation with prominent human rights, gender and religion experts (Milica Bakic-Hayden, PhD, Zilka Spahic-Siljak, PhD, Rebeka Anic, PhD, Ivana Draco, Ma, Jasmina Causevic, Marija Grujic) and prepared pilot Training package for NGOs representatives willing to work on elimination of discriminatory practises and customs and advancement of advancement of women position in public life in B&H society.
The first part of the training was held in Sarajevo, from June 1. - 18., 2009. Representatives of the following NGOs participated in the training: Vive Žene Tuzla, Lara Bijeljina, Perpetum Mobile B. Luka, Krajiška suza S. Most, Peace Centar S.Most, Višegrad Medica, Zenica IMIC, Sarajevo Fondacija Cure, Sarajevo.
The Second will occur between 26. - 30. June 2009, also in Sarajevo.
Training Syllabi was accompanied by Proceeding materials covering each module and providing participants with additional information on each of the thematic topics presented and discussed.
The project will be finalized with Round table scheduled for the end of September 2009, where both Training package Manual and Book produced by authors of the training will be presented.