Abstract
Fostering of civil society is vital in multiethnic, multicultural, multi-religious and post-conflict societies such as that of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Therefore, this paper examines the role of Muslim women's non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in fostering of civil society in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In this regard, this paper puts in the perspective present role of Muslim women's NGOs by providing the theoretical background and a survey of NGOs in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In order to determine the role and function of Muslim women's NGOs, the author examines main criteria of civil society functions such as control of political power, monitoring of political participation and elections, promoting of anti-corruption awareness, advocating values of human rights, tolerance and understanding, offering civic training, promoting civic education and public issues through media, and promoting conflict resolution and interfaith dialogue. By analyzing civil society functions, this paper answers a question of Muslim women's NGOs involvement in socio-political aspects of a democratic state and fostering of civil society in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The author uses ethnographic methodology, written sources and interviews in analyzing two leading Muslim Women's NGOs such as Nahla Education Center for Women and Kewser-Zehra Association of Muslim Women. The results of this paper indicate that although Muslim women's NGOs in theory do not emphasize on several civil society actors, especially those of political and legal nature, they are significantly involved throughout their various activities in socio-political aspects of the democratic state and as such they have contributed significantly toward fostering of civil society in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Highlights
This paper introduces readers to the role of Non Government Organisations (NGOs) in democracy and civil society building in Bosnia-Herzegovina
This paper introduces readers to the role of NGOs in democracy and civil society building in Bosnia-Herzegovina
Apart from clearly mentioned research objectives in the abstract, this paper aims to present the role of NGOs in Bosnia-Herzegovina towards the process of transition, democratization and normalization
Summary
This paper introduces readers to the role of NGOs in democracy and civil society building in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The emergence and flourishing of NGOs has been popular in Bosnia-Herzegovina as well as, in other emerging democratic states worldwide. Bosnia-Herzegovina has a long tradition of multicultural, multiethnic and multi-religious coexistence; and civil society values are deeply rooted in its history, culture and religion. There are numerous studies on the role of NGOs in Bosnia-Herzegovina, very few studies have been devoted to the role of Muslim women’s NGOs in fostering civil society. Such exclusive studies have only considered the religious, welfare and humanitarian role of Muslim women’s NGOs whereby their possible sociopolitical involvement in the democratic state has often been overlooked
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