This Guide is a response to the findings of the Barriers to Political Participation of Women in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is intended to inform political parties in considering different strategies for the strengthening of political participation of women and their political influence in political processes by reinforcing the party’s internal structure. The first section of the Guide presents the strategic approach to achieving gender equality, explaining the stages and methods used to develop gender equality policy. Section two draws from international practice and experience presented in an array of studies and publications of international organizations, and different publications and studies of BiH political parties, and highlights some of the most frequently used strategies to ensure political participation of women in party structures and decision making processes, and to strengthen women’s participation in political life. Strategies presented in this document target internal structure, and institutional strengthening of the political party by formalizing party rules and procedures.

The Guide is intended for all political parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina, both those with already developed internal structures and applying some of the strategies for gender equality, and the newly formed political parties, or parties which have not dealt with gender equality issues on a systemic level before.