Abstract
International policy-making promises to empower women in Bosnia through encouraging their participation in the political process, giving them a voice in civil society and providing enhanced opportunities for economic independence. This essay challenges these claims, suggesting that while a narrow echelon of young middle-class urban professionals have benefited from international gender approaches, the prospects for ordinary Bosnian women have not improved. First, the essay considers international attempts to promote the political empowerment of women through quota mechanisms and support for women's organizations operating in civil society. Secondly, it considers international policies intended to further the economic empowerment of women and how these relate to broader neo-liberal prescriptions for the post-war state. It concludes that international policies, in both the political and economic realms, contain fundamental limitations which look likely to frustrate the long-term advancement of women in Bosnia.
Highlights
This essay considers international gender policies and prospects they offer for the women of Bosnia (BiH) moving beyond post-conflict stabilization
Gender empowerment has become a standard tool of international peacebuilding in postconflict societies and BiH is no exception in this respect
In BiH, we are presented with the picture of enlightened internationals struggling to bring progressive gender ideas to an intransigent, backward, patriarchal and abusive culture
Summary
A final proofed version of this article was published in Vanessa Pupavac (2005) „Empowering Women? An Assessment of International Gender Policies in Bosnia‟.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
