Municipal Councilor, Municipal Council of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), women represent approximately 21 percent of the national parliament. There are been several initiatives to increase women’s participation in public life, including an electoral law which mandates a 30 percent quota for women on candidate lists. As the number of women in leadership roles increases in BiH, women are equally concerned about ensuring that they serve as effective leaders once elected. In 2013, a women’s caucus was established and is the first multi-party, interest-based caucus in the Western Balkans. Caucus members are focused on promoting solidarity, advancing women’s policy interests and overseeing legislation with a gender perspective lens. Erna Mesic is an example of a locally elected official who strives to ensure she responds to the needs of the citizens in her community. Mesic serves on the Municipal Council of Tuzla and is the vice president of the Commission for Education, Youth, and Sports. In an effort to encourage more women to participate in public life, Mesic contributes to a working group focused on creating action plans to address the issue of gender equality in Tuzla. In addition to her responsibilities as a councilor, Mesic has been an active member of the Social Democratic Party for nearly seven years and has served on the Municipal and Presidency Board, as well as the secretary for the Municipal Committee of Youth Forum.
Diplomatic Courier honors the Top Global Women who have worked to improve the world. Download the entire list here.
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Erna Mesic
March 25, 2014
Municipal Councilor, Municipal Council of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), women represent approximately 21 percent of the national parliament. There are been several initiatives to increase women’s participation in public life, including an electoral law which mandates a 30 percent quota for women on candidate lists. As the number of women in leadership roles increases in BiH, women are equally concerned about ensuring that they serve as effective leaders once elected. In 2013, a women’s caucus was established and is the first multi-party, interest-based caucus in the Western Balkans. Caucus members are focused on promoting solidarity, advancing women’s policy interests and overseeing legislation with a gender perspective lens. Erna Mesic is an example of a locally elected official who strives to ensure she responds to the needs of the citizens in her community. Mesic serves on the Municipal Council of Tuzla and is the vice president of the Commission for Education, Youth, and Sports. In an effort to encourage more women to participate in public life, Mesic contributes to a working group focused on creating action plans to address the issue of gender equality in Tuzla. In addition to her responsibilities as a councilor, Mesic has been an active member of the Social Democratic Party for nearly seven years and has served on the Municipal and Presidency Board, as well as the secretary for the Municipal Committee of Youth Forum.
Diplomatic Courier honors the Top Global Women who have worked to improve the world. Download the entire list here.
