Gender mainstreaming is a process in which all university community stakeholders should participate, but to get prepared for it they need to learn for the experiences of others. In the period of March 14-17, 2022, the first training was organized for university coordinators, gender equality councils and other relevant members withing the University and gender mainstreaming (UNIGEM) project. The training was carried out by Daria Glavan Šćulac and Ana Tomaško Obradović from the Rector’s office at the University of Rijeka, Jasmina Husanović from the University of Tuzla, Jasmina Čaušević from the University Gender resource center (UNIGeRC), and Zilka Spahić Šiljak from TPO Foundation.
The participants came from 18 universities from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro: University of Sarajevo, University of Banja Luka, University „Džemal Bijedić“ in Mostaru, University Mostar, University of Novi Sad, University Donja Gorica, University Hercegovina, University of Zenica, Sarajevo School of Science and Technology, International Burch University, University of Tuzla, International University Travnik, University of East Sarajevo, University of Bihać, University of Montenegro, Law School of the University of Zagreb and University of Belgrade.
The training was dedicated to the design and implementation of gender equality plans for gender equality at universities and providing structural support in the process of gender mainstreaming. Through discussion and practical work the participants discussed contemporary explicit and implicit forms of misogyny and various types of sexism in academic environment.
Having in mind that UNIGEM project reflects the strategic determination of universities to introduce gender mainstreaming and secure gender equality as well as safe space for teachers, administrative staff and students, several meetings were held with UNIGEM coordinators to plan new activities this year.
Among other activities, coordinators and their teams will monitor implementation of gender action plans at universities. Through the following project activities: the international conference, promotion of the research on gender-based violence at partner universities, summer school, trainings, seminars, 16 days of activism campaigns, students exchange, partner universities will establish networks, advance their knowledge and capacities to promote gender equality in their work. After the first training very soon, new activities are planned accompanied with harmonization of internal university regulation with gender equality laws in each country, empowerment of the newly established gender equality bodies and strengthening vertical and horizontal coordination in work and communication.
