Using the 2013 visit of the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict as a platform, the UN Country team in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) developed a Joint Project to comprehensively address the unresolved legacy of conflict related sexual violence (CRSV) from the 1992-1995 conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The project is designed to benefit both female and male survivors in the whole territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and directly supports transitional justice with a survivor-centred approach. This will enhance the status of, and provide redress to, survivors by ensuring the further development and expansion of equal access to reparations, rehabilitation, and equal access to services in the health and economic sectors, access to justice, and efforts to combat stigmatisation against survivors of CRSV. This project aims to identify and address gaps in existing care, support, and justice systems, and create an effective and comprehensive approach for dealing with survivors of CRSV, in cooperation with BiH governments and civil society. It represents the combined efforts of IOM, UNDP, UNFPA and UN Women, and demonstrates the resolve of the entire UNCT to tackle this issue.

The Project started in September 2014 with initial funding from the United Kingdom (UK) government and will continue for a further two years with support from multiple donors. The first phase was dedicated to intensive research and data collection, which served to establish a strong baseline as put forward by governmental counterparts, and contributed to an evidence-based design of this phase. This proposal is a continuation of this effort and will fund part of years two and three activities.

The UN Joint Project outcome and specific outcomes – as redesigned for this second phase - are as follows:

Outcome 1. Evidence-based targeted research intervention facilitates design of CRSV relevant policies and provision of CRSV sensitive practice and service delivery.

Outcome 2. Comprehensive care and support services (in accordance with UN and European standards) are more effective, responsive and accessible.

Outcome 3. Equal access to reparations is advanced at all levels.

Outcome 4. Outreach and advocacy programmes to combat stigmatization and ensure equality of citizens are developed in co-operation with all relevant stakeholders.