Foundation United Women

Founded by a group of female activists as response to needs of women affected by the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the objective to contribute to improving the social position of women, and their right to live without violence in the family and public life. Over the past 30 years, FUW has developed into recognizable civil society organization, working in three key program areas: prevention and combating all forms of violence against women and children, and overcoming its consequences, supporting gender equality in public and political life, and fostering sustainable organizational development. FUW provides free, gender sensitive specialized support and assistance to violence survivors, through legal and psychological counseling, SOS helpline, safe house/shelter, and economic empowerment of women to provide sustainable exit strategies from violence. FUW continuously engages in public policy advocacy though initiatives for introducing and amendments of laws and policies based on identified needs of women violence survivors, and toward fighting discrimination of women in society, political and public life. FUW works on capacity building of professionals to provide survivor centered assistance to violence survivors. Together with other women’s organizations in the country and Western Balkan region, FUW continuously monitors systemic response on protection of women’s human rights, advocating for mandatory international standards, and contributes in preparing alternative reports on CEDAW and Istanbul Convention. FUW continuously contribute to empowerment of women to participate in politics and decision making through their capacity building, and collaboration in advocacy for adopting law and policies. Mission: Foundation United Women (FUW) is committed to the lives of women and children without violence and increased impact of women in public and political life through the promotion and protection of women’s human rights in BiH.