STUDY ON LIVING CONDITIONS OF CHILDREN AND WOMEN IN BOSNIA PRESENTED

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 15,2007) – The Bosnian State Directorate for Economic Planning, the Entity's Ministries of Health and the British Government’s Department for International Development (DFID) organised in Sarajevo the presentation of the results of the Study on Living Conditions of Children and Women in Bosnia.

The study is based on a research of multiple indicators and its objective was to assess the state of the health of children, food education, care, living conditions and the situation concerning the registration of the birth of children, violence and the issue of children without parental care. The study covered 6.000 families.

The results of the research, which was conducted in 2005 and 2006, cover issues concerning the reproductive health of women and knowledge of HIV/AIDS.

“The results of this comprehensive research will define the health policy in Bosnia. Information we have received highlight several problems that need to be urgently addressed, including the problem of broad inoculation of children”, the FBiH Entity Health Minister Safet Omerovic said.

He also mentioned the problem of nutrition of children and mothers, ensuring quality supply with fresh water and the issue of adequate social care for pregnant women.

The research shows a worrying increase in violence against children and women. Approximately five percent of women in Bosnia agree that their husbands/partners have the right to physically punish their wives/partners.

The research also shows that 98.9 pregnant women in Bosnia received prenatal care, while 99,7 deliveries in Bosnia were carried out in hospitals.

The situation concerning violence against children is also alarming. 35.6 children between the ages of 2 and 4 have been subjected to psychological or physical punishment.

“Initial results show that the situation concerning the status of child health, education and protection is similar to what it was in the past. It staying at the same level can be considered an achievement, but work is still needed on ensuring principles and standards stated in the Convention on the Rights of Children”, UNICEF representative June Kunugi said.

Information on the education of children shows that despite the high enrolment rate, the graduation rate has dropped.

According to relevant Bosnian officials this study will be used in the planning of the economic strategy for the development and improvement of social and health care of children and women.