The Women on Boards Adria conference, “Successful Women for a Successful Region” brought together a large number of successful women from the business world of Bosnia and Herzegovina, alongside key representatives from both the private and public sectors. The event is dedicated to gender equality, legislative reforms, and concrete solutions for increasing the number of women in leadership positions.
The opening remarks were delivered by Biljana Braithwaite, Executive Director of Sustineri Partners and President of Women on Boards Adria, who highlighted the significance and mission of implementing the European Directive on Women in Corporate Boards. She emphasized the importance of strategic changes and approaches:
“It is essential not only to encourage and train women for leadership positions but also to establish clear regulations that will ensure their presence in governance structures, following the example of European Union practices.”
Adnan Delić, Federal Minister of Labour and Social Policy, also addressed the participants, stressing the importance of legislative solutions in the fight for greater representation of women in business and corporate governance structures.
“Gender equality is not just a matter of justice but a fundamental issue of economic development and the future of our society. We are aware of the challenges, but I believe it is time to finally start addressing them. That is why, in the draft version of the new Labour Law, we have proposed concrete measures – from stronger protections for pregnant women and mothers to the prohibition of gender discrimination in hiring and promotions, as well as the legal guarantee of equal pay for work of equal value. However, laws alone are not enough. We must also change societal norms because gender equality is not just a women’s issue; it is an issue of progress for society as a whole.”
Sanela Pasic, Supervisory Board member and WOBA’s Lead Ambassador for Bosnia and Herzegovina, concluded that gender equality is a prerequisite for long-term economic success and societal stability.
“Companies worldwide that embrace best practices in this area benefit greatly, improving both business performance and corporate culture. Our country, too, can reap the benefits in both the private and public sectors if we succeed in increasing the presence of women in executive and supervisory boards. We can all take a step forward. At the very least, we should be teaching our boys and girls at home that they should be equal – in life and in business.”
The EU Directive mandates that by 2026, at least 40% of non-executive directors or 33% of all board members in large companies must be women.
Gender equality in business is not just about inclusion—it is a key factor for economic growth and corporate resilience. That is why it is essential for all of us to work towards this goal—as leaders, decision-makers, and as a society.
